Mendips at 251 Menlove Avenue is John Lennon’s former Liverpool home, where he spent his childhood with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George, voraciously read the ‘Just William’ books, listened to Elvis and played his guitar in the porch. The house has been carefully restored back to how it probably was in his teenage years,
20 Forthlin Road is Paul McCartney’s former Liverpool home, where he spent his teenage years with his father, Jim, and his brother, Mike. This is where Paul and John went when they ‘slagged off’ from school to play the guitar and compose, later joined by George Harrison. Several of the Beatles’ hits were written at
Mwnt is a stretch of coastline, a beach in a secluded sandy bay, a hill, a church. A few miles north of Cardigan on the Wales Coast Path, Mwnt is a sheltered cove, popular with families and one of the best places in Ceredigion to spot dolphins, porpoises and seals. There are easy steps to
Lacock Abbey was established between 1229 and 1232 by Lady Ela, Countess of Salisbury. After the Reformation, it became a family home in the hands of the Sharingtons, followed by the Talbots. The most famous Talbot, William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-77) was an accomplished scientist and inventor of the negative/positive photographic process. Thus, Lacock is
Sudbury Hall is a fine Jacobian mansion and estate, created by the wealthy George Vernon. It has long included a Museum of Childhood and in 2022 was rebranded ‘The Children’s Country House at Sudbury’. This includes the museum, focussing on the experience of childhood, the hall and garden. The hall is now specifically aimed at younger visitors, with over 12 rooms created with and for children.
The ruins of the great Cistercian Fountains Abbey are the largest monastic ruins in the United Kingdom. The monastery stood for some four centuries and can be atmospheric – but also crowded. Highlights include the east window in the Chapel of the Nine Altars, the enormous nave of the abbey church and the cellarium. Fountains Abbey and the adjoining Studley Royal water garden and park, including the Victorian Gothic church of St Mary’s, are all part of a World Heritage Site.
Britain’s moving memorial to the 35th President of the USA, John F Kennedy, is in an acre of ground in Surrey, gifted to the American people in perpetuity. The designer, Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, was inspired by Bunyan’s allegory of life in Pilgrim’s Progress. The memorial stone itself is a 7 ton block of Portland stone from the same quarry used to for St Paul’s Cathedral.
Glastonbury Tor is a magical place, with links to Celtic mythology and the legend of King Arthur. Some say this almost perfect cconical hill, rising from the Somerset levels, is the Isle of Avalon. Now topped with the roofless tower of 14th century St Michael’s church, there is evidence of other structures on the site
Castlerigg is one of several stone circles in the North West and, arguably, the best known. It was constructed in the Neolithic Age, around 3,000BC. Set against the backdrop of the Lakeland fells, it is a dramatic location and, especially on a lonely winter’s day, very atmospheric. Castlerigg was one of the first scheduled ancient monuments in Britain in 1883.
Castlerigg Stone Circle Read More »
York’s Treasurers’ House, once occupied by the Treasurer to the adjacent Minster, is a gem. It was vastly refurbished in Edwardian style by a wealthy industrialist and is reputedly haunted – including by Roman soldiers.
Treasurers’ House, York Read More »
Dunham Massey is a 17th century estate, packed with treasures, used as hospital during WW1 and training facility in WW2.
Cragside was the home of the 1st Baron Armstrong, arms manufacturer and dealer, and is a showcase of Victorian grandeur and innovation. Notably, it was the first house globally to use hydroelectricity. The extensive estate offers various walks, gardens, and a 6-mile circular drive with waymarked walks at various points.
