Unusual Historic Houses: Hook Norton Brewery and Cowper & Newton Museum
In the South Midlands there are two unusual ‘Historic Houses’, the Victorian Hook Norton Brewery near Chipping Norton and the Georgian Cowper & Newton Museum in Olney.
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Historic Houses North Yorkshire: Newby Hall and Gardens
Newby Hall and Gardens provides an excellent day out not just for adults but for children as well.
Historic Houses & National Trust Kent: Hever Castle & Ightham Mote
There are two spectacular, historical moated houses just ten miles apart near Tonbridge in West Kent. Hever Castle, which dates back to 1270, is part of the Historic Houses collection of heritage properties, whereas Ightham Mote, which dates back to 1320, is a National Trust managed site. I spent a full day visiting the extensive […]
Saga Tour: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
A Saga tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, taking in Quito, the nearby Andes area, including Otavalo and Lake Cuicocha, the Amazon area, including Ananaga Creek and Papallacta thermal springs, and several of the Galapagos Islands including Baltra, Santa Cruz, Isabela and Bartolome,
Heritage South Yorkshire: Wentworth Woodhouse and Castle
I was curious to find out why there are two Wentworth stately homes, Wentworth Woodhouse and Wentworth Castle, just a few miles apart near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. Apparently this was as a result of a family dispute. Thomas Wentworth, Baron Raby, expected to inherit the stately home of Wentworth Woodhouse from his grandfather, Sir […]
Leeds Short Break – Top Ten Places to Visit
Leeds, Yorkshire’s largest city, has much to offer Short Break visitors. It has a vibrant city centre, with fine buildings many dating back to Victorian times, and in its suburbs there are outstanding heritage sites. As a Yorkshireman myself, I’ve often visited Leeds over the years and been impressed by its development into a modern, […]