Recruiting Victorian Servants at Beningbrough Hall!

First week on the job...!

Starting as a new Learning Officer, I was walking through the grounds to come upon lots of Victorian servants, dressed up to the nines! They were having a fantastic day, learning all about the "big house" in Victorian times! Smiling children is one of my strongest first impressions and memories of Beningbrough!

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Arlington Court

Return to Arlington Court

In July 2006 I visited Arlington Court with my wife. It was the first time in nearly 40 years I had visited Devon. Arlington is superb, something for the whole family. With a magical carriage ride through the estate.

Gorgeous Lydford Gorge!

We visited Lydford Gorge on Bank Holiday Monday on the way back up to Gloucestershire, not really knowing much about the area

My sister and I were ready for a cup of tea, having spent the morning visiting another National Trust property, Glendurgan. We didn't have much time because we knew the traffic would be bad heading back up the M5 so we couldn't stop for long. We decided to just take the short walk down to the waterfall and back and we were very impressed. It was a lovely walk through a wooded glen, the sun was shining through the trees and we could hear the river babbling away further down and the sound of water splashing on rock. The walk wasn't too tiring and the waterfall is really rewarding when you reach the bottom. We agreed to come back next spring when the bluebells are out to do the full hour and a half round route.

My first memory

Living in Brynhyfryd

My ealist memory is sitting on the step of our home in Brynhyfryd Street. I was too young to speak, but I remember, and could understand the conversation our our neighbours. I was chewing on a mutton bone and the neighbours, all women, were commenting on my tasty meal. All the women wore Welsh carrying shawls - long and covering their shoulders, and their babies.

Great Langdale Campsite

Camping in one of the most beautiful areas of the Lake District.

This place is unique. The mountains are all around and there is a sense of tranquility. Great Langdale is beautiful and there is plenty of walking to be done. A friend and I stayed there for six days and made the most of the natural beauty that has been carved into the landscape from the last ice-age.

We walked to the peak adjacent to the campsite, which has incredible views for 360 degrees. Nearby Lake Windermere had plenty to offer (I have been there many times but for my friend it was his first time) and we spent two hours kayaking and exploring the waters. Also Grizedale Forest is close by with much to do and see and some of the best experiences we had we spent simply making the most of the great outdoors...oh, and drinking and eating in the local pubs after a hard day's hiking.

We didn't want to leave and could have easily spent another few days there just trekking along all the walks that are in the general area.

It rained heavily every single night and the tent was almost flooded on two occasions but as soon as the sun crept over the tops of the moutains, everything dried out within an hour; the skies were blue and everybody was happy...perfect.

SNOWSHILL MANOR

Hunting for white cats and doves in the thick snow of last winter.

Although Snowshill Manor in glorious at all times of the year, being up here on the edge of the Cotswold scarp in mid winter makes you realise how well named the place is.Going out to feed the white doves and the white cat, Tinker was quite a challenge. You can imagine how difficult it was with 6 inches of snow on the ground! The doves swooped down hungrily for their breakfast, but of Tinker there was no sign - all I could see was a row of small footprints along the top of a wall, disappearing up the steps and - arrgghhh! - into the Manor! Tinker knew where it was nice and warm and dry! During the winter season, when the Manor is closed to the public, we cover every piece of furniture with a white sheet so it was as bad inside as out to discover a pure white cat. We eventually found him curled up in a 17th century baby's cradle and he was most cross to be put outside in the snow again!

Studland Bay, Middle Beach

A golden beach with shallow water stretching out fairly far with Multi colored mini rock coves and caves

The carpark is very close to the beach. The toilets were well maintained. A perfect place to take the children, especially if they are learning to swim! The water was warm and very shallow. The beach was naturally strewn with seaweed on one side. I was surprised the National trust shop was reasonably priced. So we bought the children a bucket and a net so that they may go and explore the rock pools. The only nets they had left were crab nets, but the friendly lady in the shop assured us that the creatures in the rock pools cannot tell the difference! We stayed at the beach. It was the bank holiday in the last week of August, we reached there when the tide was in and left when the tide had almost finished coming for a second time.

Montacute

Visits to Montacute through my life.

Went to Montacute with my gran when I was very small. She lived in nearby West Coker. Loved the feel of the place and was particularly fascinated by the writing on the glass. Have been going back from time to time ever since, the last time leading a school party when I allowed myself the luxury of not having a group to look after, but flitted between the various activities. The children loved it, so maybe this enthusiasm will pass down through more generations.

Bodiam Castle

Early morning mist

We camped in a dismal campsite overnight and, having no cooking facilities, were pretty soon off the site (by about 8.00 am). Typical early morning autumn mist. Went to look for Bodiam Castle and found it, but of course it wasn't yet open. However, a nice NT bloke said "help yourselves", so we wandered into this strange timewarp - the castle peering at us over mist, which looked like a boiling kettle above the moat.