During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.
B is for Bredon Hill
Being interested in A E Housman’s poems we had to visit the top of Bredon Hill (pronounced Bree duhn) when we spent a few days on holiday in the north Cotswolds.
‘Bredon Hill’ is poem number twenty-one in “A Shropshire Lad” and it narrates the story of a lover who lost a loved one.
In summertime on Bredon
The bells they sound so clear;
Round both the shires they ring them
In steeples far and near,
A happy noise to hear.
click here for the complete poem and a musical setting by David Harley from his CD ‘Tears of Morning”
TRAVEL WORDS 
A mournful way to start a Sunday morning, Jude. I’m not familiar with the works of Houseman so thanks for the link ☺️ 💗
I don’t think any of his poems are particularly cheerful.
If only old barns could talk, what a story that would be. Cotswolds are beautiful.
Yes, the towns and villages and countyside are beautiful. Like here it’s an area that suffers from too many second homes, holiday lets and over tourism.
Weren’t the authorities making it a law that people couldn’t buy houses in the Cornwall area as second homes? I remember there was a big debate about it when housesitting in the Camelford area.
I believe some towns have banned new builds being sold as holiday lets, but I don’t know how that is enforced, and council tax has been doubled on second homes.
I’ve never thought to look up Bredon Hill when reading Housman’s poem – how incurious of me – but it’s clearly a place well worth getting to know.
I’m not sure we actually got to the top, it’s quite sprawling!
One of those …. so deceptive.
Not a county I have spent much time in, to be honest, but I do remember the Housman poem from my schooldays. I once spent a long weekend in the city of Worcester to watch a re-enactment of part of the Battle of Worcester which took place in the streets around The Commandery.
https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/museums/the-commandery/
Best wishes, Pete. x
Ah, yes, quite a few battles in this neck of the woods.
It’s surprising to hear actual bells at the end of a song for which the only accompaniment had been a guitar.
Haha… the mystery of a musician 😊
How coincidental that Bredon Hill is your choice for B, Jude. In her younger years Michaela lived in the shadow of Bredon Hill in a place called Great Cumberton. At the time she was a showjumper – destined for and dreaming of stardom – and living and working in stables. She remembers it with huge affection. The stardom bit didn’t cone to fruition but she has remained a lover of horses ever since.
Good job I didn’t choose Birmingham then 😉
Now, are you saying that because you know that Michaela is a Brummie or is that another coincidence?!?
Oh, no! Definitely a coincidence. Am I safe with Bath? 🙄
Ha you’re safe with Bath. Michaela grew up (in part) on the Bournville estate, some of her family were Cadburys employees.
It’s nice around there.
England has such beautiful countryside. I’m always struck by it when we’re over there for a visit. For such a small island with so many people, there is so much unspoiled land. It really is ‘green and pleasant’ to behold. Lovely photos and poem, Jude.
Thanks Sylvia. There are some wonderful landscapes around the country.
A beautiful and iconic photo of England. 🙂
Beautiful scene and I love that barn 🙂
What a lovely view