Although Dumfries is only 25 miles from the England-Scotland border, it is very definitely a Scottish town in appearance and character. Important battles that relate to Scottish independence were fought here and Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, lived in and is buried in the town. Dumfries is dominated by the picturesque River Nith, which […]
Leeds, Yorkshire’s largest city, has much to offer Short Break visitors. It has a lively 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, […]
Newby Hall and Gardens provides an excellent day out not just for adults but for children as well.
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 […]
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 […]
• For a £5 discount on new membership, use code STEW05 on the Historic Houses website.
• To get a £10 National Trust gift card with membership by direct debit, click on National Trust.
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.