National Trust, English Heritage, museums etc.
It was a popular destination on this fine bright Boxing Day, though there’s plenty of space for crowds to disperse – there seemed to have been far more cars than people. We were just in time for the deer feeding, before a short wander through the park and back beside the flooded Tern. Perhaps a cup of tea before setting off for home? Perhaps not – the others had already had the same idea.
It’s a castle in Cheshire, not far from Tarporley. Set on a rocky crag above the plain, the views are potentially extensive; the ruins perhaps not so impressive, apart from their dramatic situation. This was a good day for a visit – cold and clear air to make the most of the views. The hills of the southern Peak District form the eastern horizon, with Jodrell Bank clearly visible in the plain. The Wrekin, over thirty miles away, is there on the southern horizon. To the west are the Welsh hills, a reminder of why the castle is here, and to the north-west, the chimneys of the Ellesmere Port refineries frame the towers of Liverpool’s cathedrals, across the blue water of the estuary
Beeston Castle: English Heritage website
30 Oct: Firstly, the trip into York – the local bus goes to the railway station, from where it’s a short walk to the NRM. I stayed long enough to record the gathering photographically, then walked back into York (via the Minster and the Shambles) to collect the household authorities at the agreed time. See Six A4s on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…
It wasn’t just the railway museum that was busy – so were the streets of York. It’s half-term week up here – perhaps that’s the reason. For the afternoon’s entertainment we chose a much quieter option – a walk to the deserted village of Wharram Percy, in the Wolds to the east of York. Other than some earthworks in the fields, little remains of the village, apart from the ruins of St Martin’s church. The English Heritage sign warned of the dangers of the site – somewhat over the top, I thought, before hitting my head on the “Wolds Way” guide post after taking the picture… In fact the afternoon was a chapter of minor accidents – I’d left the map behind (successfully relying on memory). The light had gone as we walked up beside Deep Dale – so had the camera battery. The spare was in the car…
English Heritage: Wharram Percy
Forty-two years later… I visited the castle at Kenilworth on a cold, clear day in late autumn, 1971. “Must go again one day”. Here’s the outcome. It’s changed a bit over the years… It was cold and rather grey (ideal for exploring the gatehouse), then later in the afternoon, a spell of bright directional sunshine. Great while it lasted, which wasn’t long.
There’s almost too much to take in here in a day – we’d better come back yet again. Probably won’t leave it another 42 years…
Kenilworth Castle – English Heritage
Sunshine after rain… A wander around Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire.
Another “dodging the showers” outing. Given that there was plenty of shelter, it didn’t rain while we were there; sunshine was too much to hope for.
We’re wandering in the north-western corner of Herefordshire. Wigmore Castle is unusual in that it hasn’t been tidied-up in its derelict state – rambling and colourful undergrowth rather than manicured lawns. Just the place for the Famous Five, or was it the Secret Seven, to have an adventure. Yes, they turned up, complete with dog.
The Shobdon Arches form a folly on the hillside, some remains from the interior of the old church which was replaced more than 250 years ago. Sadly, the stone carvings are suffering from the weather.
Much too good to stay at home – don’t want to join the bank holiday throngs on the roads. “How about walking to Benthall Hall? We could see if the bluebells are out in the woods”. We could get refreshments too – understood without needing to be mentioned… The bluebells need another week or so perhaps, though there are a few out. It’s hard to remember, on a shirt-sleeves day like today, just how cold it was a few weeks ago – and how muddy underfoot. Already it’s dried and baked hard (I’m not complaining).
An outing for a showery afternoon… The shower lasted for the hour it took to drive there – and ended (apart from a brief reprise) a few minutes later. Within half-an-hour, it was sunny and warm.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hanbury-hall/
