National Trust – Page 4

Boscastle Harbour Walk

This is a gentle, level one mile walk along the river to the ‘blow-hole’ and has lovely views of the village and the harbour. At the end there are some steps to climb and the rocks here can be slippery when wet.

Now I could fancy one of these cottages. What about the pink one? It already has a bench in the garden for me.

We’ll walk along one side of the river to the next bridge (footbridge) passing by the witch museum, a lovely National Trust shop, a tea-room and the YHA. I love the Cornish walls in which you can plant a host of flowers, including these beautiful tulips (header photo). Look out for wild flowers too, such as the Danish scurvy traditionally considered a coastal plant with its love of salty places, salt marshes and sea shores grass. Full of Vitamin C, it gets its name from sailors chewing it to avoid scurvy. Continue reading Boscastle Harbour Walk

Lizard Point

The Lizard peninsula is the most southerly part of the British mainland, a place apart from anywhere else. Dramatic and historic coastline, complex and unique geology and interesting flora and fauna.

The Lizard Lighthouse Heritage Centre with its distinctive twin towers marks the most southerly point of mainland Britain. It is open from March to October and you will find interactive displays and exhibitions about the history of the building. A tower was first built here in 1619 at the expense of philanthropist Sir John Kilgrew. The current beam can be seen for 26 miles. For those of you who love lighthouses, (Jo, I hope you are reading this), you can climb up to the top of the tower and even sound the foghorn or send messages in Morse code. Continue reading Lizard Point

Take a Walk in the Park Day

Apparently this is on 30 March, so make sure you get outdoors on Monday 🙂

Attingham Park is a popular place to visit as it is very close to Shrewsbury. Famous for snowdrops and the deer park, we popped in for for a brisk walk in the early spring sun a couple of weeks ago.

Through the stable yard

Carpet of snowdrops

Snowdrops in silk

First stop, the walled garden. Work-in-progress as they have only recently begun to renovate this area. The aim is to re-create a productive kitchen garden with organic fruit and vegetables. It is a lovely sheltered spot to sit and bask in the sun.

The dipping pond

Bee House

Back out onto the woodland path which in May is filled with bluebells. And then into the deer park. Continue reading Take a Walk in the Park Day

Benthall Hall

Situated on a plateau above the gorge of the River Severn, this fine stone house has mullioned and transomed windows, a stunning interior with carved oak staircase and decorated plaster ceilings and oak panelling. National Trust

Tall Chimneys

Pentagonal Bay Windows

Front

Decorative Carvings

It is always a good idea to look up at windows, you never know what you might see. Like the carved figure heads and hands.

DSCF4062 — The side view – from the beautiful terraced garden

And an interesting Dovecote with a window

There is also a little Restoration church

DSCF3987 — Restoration Church which includes an apiary

This monthly challenge is hosted by Dawn from ‘The Day After’ who invites participants to post pictures of any windows that they find curious, inviting, photogenic, or in some way tell a story. Visit her blog to see more windows and/or to join in with the challenge.

Orangery at Trelissick

Wandering around Trelissick Gardens (Cornwall) in the springtime I came across the house (now open to the public) and this fabulous orangery. Those of you who follow my Earth Laughs in Flowers blog know how much I love flowers and glasshouses – my dream house would have an orangery. Sadly that is not likely to happen as I don’t have the cash for such an addition. Still I can dream. And in the meantime I can drool over buildings such as this. Just look at that stone mullioned full-length bay window and leaded panes.

And ornate entrance with Ionic columns and their beautiful scrolled capitals