Summer 2025 - Two Little Trips
Unfortunately we were unable to get away in the Spring so we did something we wouldn't normally do - we went away in the school summer holiday!
Actually, apart from the cost, it went really well and wasn't too busy.
Our first trip was to Wolverley were we stayed on the Camping and Caravanning Club Site. A short walk from the campsite takes you to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The Old Smithy Tea Rooms is right beside the loch and sells wonderful ice creams. Every day we walked down for an ice cream and watched the activity on the canal.
Actually, apart from the cost, it went really well and wasn't too busy.
Our first trip was to Wolverley were we stayed on the Camping and Caravanning Club Site. A short walk from the campsite takes you to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The Old Smithy Tea Rooms is right beside the loch and sells wonderful ice creams. Every day we walked down for an ice cream and watched the activity on the canal.
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Visited the rock houses on Kinver Edge. Sue was last there 75 years ago!
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Spent a fascinating day at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. As it was the last week of the summer term there were a lot of school parties there but the children were all very well behaved. A few came and sat at my picnic bench whilst Sue was in the queue for Fish and Chips and we had a lovely chat. One girl asked my age and told me that I was older than her grandad!
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Harvington Hall, a moated Elizabethan manor house had an amazing history. Our guided tour lasted over two hours and our guide was absolutely fascinating.
Adam de Harvington, Chancellor of the Exchequer, lived there in 1344 and after his death, the estate passed into the hands of the 11th Earl of Warwick. In 1529 it was sold to a wealthy lawyer, Sir John Pakington who passed it on to his great-nephew Humphrey.
Humphrey was a Catholic during the time of harsh penal laws. As it was illegal for a Catholic priest to set foot in England, Humphrey constructed numerous priest holes in the Hall for the protection of Catholic priests and their followers. These priest holes have remained till today. The most elaborate of these were the handiwork of the master carpenter Nicholas Owen, who was later canonised and became the patron saint of illusionists and escapologists.
Adam de Harvington, Chancellor of the Exchequer, lived there in 1344 and after his death, the estate passed into the hands of the 11th Earl of Warwick. In 1529 it was sold to a wealthy lawyer, Sir John Pakington who passed it on to his great-nephew Humphrey.
Humphrey was a Catholic during the time of harsh penal laws. As it was illegal for a Catholic priest to set foot in England, Humphrey constructed numerous priest holes in the Hall for the protection of Catholic priests and their followers. These priest holes have remained till today. The most elaborate of these were the handiwork of the master carpenter Nicholas Owen, who was later canonised and became the patron saint of illusionists and escapologists.
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Visited the Arley Estate, wandered round the Italian Garden, through the Laburnum Arch and around the arboretum. The 19 acre site has more than 300 species of trees which were planted in the early 19th century when the Woodward family purchased Arley Hall.
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On our way home we visited the British Motor Museum in Gaydon. The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and the Reserve Collection in the Collections Centre were particularly interesting.
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After a week at home we headed to the Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite at West Runton. During our week in Wolverley the weather had been fantastic but this week was much more unsettled. The day we arrived it rained heavily all afternoon and the next morning the rain was torrential. Wanting something to do indoors we headed to Wroxham Miniature Worlds.
The 10,000 square feet site contains some of the largest model railways in the world with zones including model railways in various countries, slot car displays, a whole city made from Lego bricks, model boat displays, Vintage Penny Arcade, Interactive Flight Simulators, Train Simulators, doll's houses and a host of toys from across the decades.
Of particular interest for Sue was a marvellous collection of knitting wonders by the "Queen of Knitting" Margaret Seaman. This included her late husband Fred's Koi Carp Pond, Great Yarmouth in the 70's, the "Knittingale" Hospital, Buckingham Palace and the Sandringham Estate.
An absolutely fascinating visit.
The 10,000 square feet site contains some of the largest model railways in the world with zones including model railways in various countries, slot car displays, a whole city made from Lego bricks, model boat displays, Vintage Penny Arcade, Interactive Flight Simulators, Train Simulators, doll's houses and a host of toys from across the decades.
Of particular interest for Sue was a marvellous collection of knitting wonders by the "Queen of Knitting" Margaret Seaman. This included her late husband Fred's Koi Carp Pond, Great Yarmouth in the 70's, the "Knittingale" Hospital, Buckingham Palace and the Sandringham Estate.
An absolutely fascinating visit.
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The next day was bright and sunny so we headed to Cromer using the coastal hopper bus that stops right outside the campsite. Visited the museum and Church, both of which were closed on our last visit had a crab sandwich followed by an ice cream and wandered round the town and along the prom before catching the bus back.
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Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century country house noted for its Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior. We wandered round the walled garden, orangery and green houses. Unfortunately in the orchard I was stung by a wasp! After lunch we explored the house.
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The final day of our visit was wet. Took the coastal hopper into Sherringham for a fish and chip lunch and dodged the showers for a quick wander through the town before heading back to the campsite.
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