The Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire has been the seat of the Earls of Lichfield (family name Anson) since 1831 – the 6th Earl still has apartments there. Arguably, Shugborough’s most famous son was the 5th Earl, the internationally renowned photographer Patrick Lichfield (1939-2005). His private apartments can be visited as part of a tour of
Edward Elgar was one of England’s greatest musical composers; his works include the Enigma Variations and Land of Hope and Glory. He was born on 2 June 1857 in Lower Broadheath, about three miles from Worcester, and died at his home, Marl Bank, in Worcester on 23 February 1934. He is said to have been
Elgar’s Birthplace Read More »
Barrington Court may not look it, but it is largely a product of the early 20th century. There are two houses at Barrington Court – the mansion, known as Court House, and the neighbouring Strode House. The grand Tudor Court House was built between around 1538 and 1559. The estate was subsequently purchased by William
This 17th century cottage (originally two) was rented by the romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) for about 3 years between 1797 and 1799. Despite the brevity of the stay, it is known as Coleridge Cottage, or Coleridge’s Cottage. He was visited here by his friend, William Wordsworth, and it was whilst here that he
Uppark (there is a corresponding Down Park not far away) is a perfect Jacobean/Georgian house set amongst the South Downs, where Emma Hamilton apparently once danced naked on the tables and HG Wells spent part of his childhood (his mother was housekeeper). Unusual, slightly mildewy, Victorian tunnels connect the house with the stables and kitchens.
St Michael’s Mount is an evocative and picturesque island in Mount’s Bay, with a small village, a castle and exotic sub-tropical gardens. Access is by boat (of course) or on foot via a causeway at low tide. It is an ancient site, with plenty of legends – including of mermaids and Jack the Giant Killer
St Michael’s Mount Read More »
Chirk Castle was a medieval fortress, which somehow survived the Civil War and went on to become a fascinating, sumptuous, home with wonderful gardens and a spectacular wrought-iron entrance gate. It also offers spectacular views. Roger Mortimer, Marcher Lord, began the castle in 1295 as one of King Edward I’s chain of castles along the
The Cerne Abbas Giant is one of Britain’s best known hill figures, cut into the hillside near the pretty Dorset village of Cerne Abbas. It is formed of a cut trench about 1 foot deep and across, stands 180 feet (55 metres) high and depicts a nude male wielding a large club. Possibly its most
Coetan Arthur (or Arthur’s Quoit), according to legend, was thrown from nearby Carn Llidi by King Arthur. This is one of many ‘Arthur’s Quoits’ in Britain – one source identifies more than 30. It is the remains of a single-chambered Neolithic burial chamber, or Dolmen, between 4 and 6,000 years’ old; the capstone (the bit
Bodiam Castle is a fairy-tale like ruin, but had a very real original purpose to help defend Southern England against the prospect of French invasion. It was constructed in the late 14th century and is one of the best surviving examples of a castle from that period as well as being one of the most
Souter Lighthouse was built in 1871 and was the first purpose built lighthouse to be lit by electricity. It stands proudly on the cliffs, between Sunderland and South Shields, just south of Marsden Bay. There are cracking views from the top, you can get up close and personal with a rather large light bulb and
Golden Cap is the highest point on the south coast, at 627ft (191m), with fabulous views all round – some say as far as Portland Bill to the east and even as far as Dartmoor to the west. It is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site,
