Devon I

On our way to Devon we stopped en route at Dyrham Park (NT) near Bath and Bristol. The 17th Century mansion is undergoing a huge conservation project to repair the leaking roof. A rooftop walkway gives visitors the chance to see the restoration work and also affords spectacular views across the deer park.
After arriving at the Library, near Great Torrington we set off to find food. The choices were limited but "The Spice" in Bideford allowed us to see the moonrise across the River Torridge.

L A N D

L A N D : An art installation for all to mark Landmark’s 50th year.

Five sculptures by Antony Gormley will be installed at five Landmark sites across the UK in time for our Golden Weekend 16-17 May 2015, and then freely available to view until May 2016. Each work is conceived in direct response to each location

To download the booklet, click here.

"The Landmark Trust’s 50th anniversary is an occasion to think and feel the nature of our species, its history and future, and its relationship to the huge biodiversity of living beings that exist on the surface of this extraordinary blue planet."

Antony Gormley

Nearby to Lowsonford we had lunch in Henley in Arden 

Swarkestone Pavilion

Cotswolds

In spite of our efforts to co-ordinate a stay at Landmark in Derbyshire with a visit to Siân's siblings, we learned on the day of our holiday that a fly infestation made Swarkestone Pavilion uninhabitable.
After some hurried decision making we chose to stay in the West Banqueting house, Chipping Campden instead. The Cotswolds are particularly lovely in late Summer/Autumn so we hoped to make the most of some reasonable weather.
The property is larger that we are used to and actually sleeps 2+2 in separate buildings: The Almonry is just a few yards from the West Banqueting House which itself is only a stone's throw from the East Banqueting House in the grounds of Old Campden House which was destroyed by fire in 1645.
During our stay we visited Batsford Arboretum, Hidcote House and Garden (NT), Snowshill Manor (NT), Hailes Abbey (EH), Broadway tower and explored the village which has a history with the Arts and Craft movement.

Calverley 5

On Friday we left Calverley and visited nearby Saltaire. The model town was founded in 1851 by Titus Salt who wished to provide a clean and efficient base for the community employed in his woollen mill. Our tour guide gave a superb description of the town and its people under the domain of Titus Salt. Whilst they were well cared and catered for, they did have to pay for those privileges, however it was the patented manufacture of Alpaca cloth that secured Salt's fortune. However, even his extraordinary wealth could not ensure the future of the town indefinitely. After he died the mill ran for several decades before being abandoned in the late 20th century. A local entrepeneur, Jonathan Silver, then bought the site and working with artist David Hockney created a gallery space like few others. The town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Calverley 4

On Day Four we headed West and visited the Media Museum in Bradford. This museum, also free, has 5 floors of fixed and changing exhibition space devoted to all forms of media from the last ten decades. Hands on displays allow visitors to practise reading the news, film in front of a blue-screen and try mixing the results. Also the BFI archives can now be plundered; book a free booth and sample delights such as Mr Ben, Think of a Number, Hancock's half hour and many more!
This excursion left us very little time at the end of the day, thus half an hour was really not enough time to do justice to the Bradford Industrial Museum (also free) which can be found north of the city.

Calverley 3

On Wednesday we parked near Roundhay Park in north Leeds and visited Tropical World. This unremarkable series of buildings actually has quite a nice variety of animals including butterflies, reptiles, birds, fish, bats and meerkats. They could do with spending a few extra pounds to tidy up some of the vivariums but this was still a pleasant distraction for at least a couple of hours. In the afternoon we headed to Harewood House which has very nicely restored state rooms and grounds designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. In the evening we met my parents who joined us at Calverley to stay for the remaining two days and nights. 

Calverley 2

On Day Two we headed back into Leeds via Kirkstall Abbey. The nearby museum had an interesting Victorian themed set with shops and the like. The abbey itself was obviously none the better after Henry's Act of Supremacy. The weather too meant we didn't stay too long but headed into Leeds where we found the Royal Armouries. This is an excellent free museum with large exhibition spaces devoted to armour from all parts of the world. The Hall of Steel, armour-plated elephant and an exhibition of weapons from The Hobbit film were all highlights.

Calverley 1

We headed North via Bolsover Castle (Eng. Her.) and arrived at Calverley Old Hall (Landmark Trust) which was to be our base for the week. The mediaeval hall was acquired by The Trust in its entirety such that they were able to restore the main hall and provide accommodation for five. The adjoined old chapel and Solar are still unrestored awaiting future decisions about how they can be included in the property let.
In the evening we went into Leeds for the obligatory Pizza Express followed by a film, 'Rush', at the local Everyman. This is an treat that is highly recommended. It's a cinema experience like few others; double seat sofas, leg room aplenty, it caters for wine drinkers and pizza eaters with nairy an obnoxious teenager in sight. Truly a Picture Palace for grown ups!

Le Chateau

We had a wonderful and relaxing time staying at another Landmark Trust property close to the River Trent, just south of Gainsborough. As usual, we were able to divest ourselves of all the annoying 21st Century distractions like TV, Internet, & Phones and enjoy our immediate surroundings to their fullest.
Gainsborough has a wonderful Mediaeval Hall (but little else to offer), and being in familiar territory allowed us to renew our affinity with big skies and Steep Hill and even afforded us a personal airshow by the Red Arrows.

Lancaster

Monday 12^th March

En route we called to see Carys in Manchester and had time for lunch in Sparkles café in the Northern Quarter. Then, after arriving in the city of Lancaster we picked up the keys to the Music Room, dropped luggage, bought supplies and had a Curry Night in.

Tuesday 13^th March

We explored Lancaster on foot and arrived at just the wrong time to get in the Castle or Maritime museum, so we explored the City Museum and had elevenses in the Music Room Coffee Shop.

Refreshed, we returned to the Castle and did the guided tour. The building (which still functioned as a prison until 2011) has been the site of occupation since the Romans and later the Normans who built a stronghold against the marauding Scots. The Shire Hall still functions as a Crown Court but plans on what to do with the rest of the site have yet to be determined.

After a slow meal in Bella Italia we watched The Woman in Black at the cinema.

Wednesday 14^th March

Today we went for a 6 mile walk along the River Lune and Lancaster Canal. Our journey took us past Skerton Bridge & Weir up to the Lune Aqueduct. We then followed the canal to Hest Bank on the coast and had tea in "The Shore" café. From here we walked along the beach and promenade into Morecambe where we met Eric and then got the bus back to Lancaster.

Thursday 15^th March

Firstly we visited Atkinsons and bought coffee before driving up to Williamson Park & Ashton Memorial. We spent a very pleasurable couple of hours trying to photograph the butterflies before heading north to visit Sizergh Castle.

Dublin