National Trust, English Heritage, museums etc.
The sunshine is warm, but the air’s cold today. Fortunately, the outdoor tea area at Benthall Hall is sheltered from the breeze, so we’ll enjoy our al fresco refreshments without a shiver. The bluebell season is just beginning, the chestnut leaves are emerging (they remind me of pale green cormorants drying their wings) and the oilseed rape is brightening the fields – sunshine even when the sun’s gone in…
It’s in Wellington, Shropshire – a “rare suburban villa and mini-estate” according to the National Trust. We’re exploring this property on what began as a grey afternoon, though as we left the house, the cloud was clearing. An interesting place – a former owner seems to have been obsessed with clocks… The trees in the avenue are Wellingtonia – they’d have to be, wouldn’t they?
It’s a landmark for miles around, marking the highest point of the Wenlock Edge. At the top of Flounders’ Folly. we’re 80 feet higher! Benjamin Flounders, a Yorkshireman, had it built in 1838. After falling into disrepair, the tower was renovated by a local trust in the early years of the millennium, with a new metal staircase. It is open to all who wish to take in the magnificent view from the top (and who are prepared to make the 500 ft ascent from the parking area) once a month – usually the last Sunday, also on certain high days (appropriately) and holidays. Today being the last Sunday in March, we’ll pay it a visit…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=345895&Y=285041&A=Y&Z=120
After an excellent lunch at Jules in Weobley (http://www.jules-restaurant.co.uk/) we needed a gentle wander for an hour or two to let it settle. “It’s not far to Berrington Hall”
Monday 25 March: I arrived just as the school parties were leaving… It’s a bright sunny afternoon – perfect for a wander with the camera
Attingham – a sunny afternoon, perfect for a gentle stroll with a wide-angle lens. Warm stone and a deep blue sky – what more could one want?
Thousands of trees at Attingham – and today we’ve found the most ancient. It’s 800 years old, apparently. The deer are taking it easy on this fine afternoon, and we’re not hurrying either. The snowdrops are just about at their best now, truly like snowdrifts in the woods.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=355195&Y=310201&A=Y&Z=120
After 45231 (see previous post) – a visit to Blists Hill, making the most of a pleasant, bright afternoon. It’s very quiet here at this time of year – apart from the school parties, and they’re well-behaved. Must be the Victorian discipline…
Last winter, the (literally) heavy snowfall in December broke many branches off the lovely Lebanese cedars at Attingham Park. They will recover some of their former glory, I’m sure, given time. Elsewhere in the park, the snowdrops are coming out, and the squirrels are scurrying about trying to remember where they buried their nuts. It’s one of the floodlit days – when the sun shines, that is – it’s rather hit and miss…
A gentle stroll on a cool afternoon, and a breath of fresh air before the fun begins…
