Bibury in the cotswolds.

A great walk in the Cotswolds starting in the village of Bibury. Arrive early else you will not park. Our first view was of the cottages that make up Arlington Row which were first built in the 14th century as a wool store, they were converted into weavers houses in the 17th century. They are owned by the National Trust and all are private dwellings apart from one which is rented out as a holiday cottage. We walked along farmland and woods until we got to the village of Winson, a very small but pretty village along the river Coln. There is some beautiful properties all along this walk all built in the traditional limestone, the mill building at Winson being a fine example. Apparently there is a long barrow which we walked right past but couldn’t manage to see. All in all a beautiful walk which we did in lovely weather.

https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-route/bibury-in-the-cotswolds/217407638/

Chirk Castle a National Trust Property

On a overnight trip to wales this was the first place we stopped at Chirk Castle a national trust property. The castle is near to the City of Wrexham in Wales and only takes about 2.5 hours from Milton Keynes.  The castle was Built is 1295 and it guards the Ceiriog Valley from the English. Due to its high viewpoint you can get some great views over the valley and surrounding countryside. A nice stop of this one if you fancy looking at old castles.

Chirk Castle

The castle was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk, uncle of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March as part of King Edward I’s chain of fortresses across the north of Wales. It guards the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. It was the administrative centre for the Marcher Lordship of Chirkland.

The castle was bought by Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1593 for £5,000 (approx. £11 million as of 2008). His son, Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle was a Parliamentarian during the English Civil War, but became a Royalist during the ‘Cheshire rising’ of 1659 led by George Booth, 1st Baron Delamer. Following the Restoration, his son became Sir Thomas Myddelton, 1st Baronet of Chirke.[3] The castle passed down in the Myddelton family to Charlotte Myddelton (on the death of her father in 1796). Charlotte had married Robert Biddulph, who changed his name to Robert Myddelton-Biddulph, leaving the castle on his death to their son Robert. It then passed down in the Myddelton-Biddulph family.

Fountains abbey a national trust house.

We found this great national trust abbey on the way from Cumbria to Skegness. I’ve seen this place on the tv somewhere so a visit was in order. It was one of the best places I’ve visited in many a year. Please have a look at the photos  below. 

Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. It is located approximately 3 miles (5 kilometres) south-west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, near to the village of Aldfield. Founded in 1132, the abbey operated for 407 years, becoming one of the great monasteries in England until being pillaged, by order of Henry VIII, in 1539.

Please click this link to view more from Wikipedia.

National Trust Site