This is one of several restored rooms in Plas Mawr, Conwy, Wales. It reveals the intricate detail in the low ceiling and walls. Won’t you join me on the journey through England and Wales starting with “A Cottage in the Cotswolds” Series? Enjoy!
Plas Mawr, Conwy, Wales
The red sandstone shell of a semi-fortified tower house built between 1284-93 by Bishop Burnell, Edward I’s Lord Chancellor, is all that remains of Acton Burnell Castle, in Acton Burnell, Shropshire, UK. Parliament was held here in 1282 and again in 1285. It is the last known address of my ManyGreatsGrandfather Richard Henry Lee! Join me as we travel through the Cotswolds making our way to Wales and Scotland! Enjoy!
Acton Burnell Castle, Acton Burnell, UK
The Fuchsia is Sooooo Beautiful!
The Parsonage in Broadway, UK
Broadway’s name fits the village. Village life is lined along a broad grass-fringed, red chestnut way, so we started at the end with the Christmas shop and made our way to the center of the village. Broadway will not disappoint you, as it is chock full of restaurants, inns, pubs, antique stores, coffee shops, and gift shops. Whew! In one gift shop we had a big time looking over one gift item in particular! Here is one. Can you guess what it is?
The Nose Knows
A porcelain, hand painted nose for glasses/spectacles! Never lose your glasses again! The nose knows! The English have such a sense of humor! It is a gift for my mother-in-law!
There is also a local market, the Broadway Deli, and a larger grocery, called Budgens, located down a narrow strip of walkway deep in blooming lavender and pale pink shrub roses! It was the first large grocery we were to find in our Cotswolds travels. More dogs lounging here! The dogs are either sleeping under the benches or waiting patiently at shop doors!
The Village Deli in Broadway, UK
Shopping at Budgen’s Grocery in Broadway, UK
The Pathway to Budgens in Broadway, UK
Shrub Roses and Lavender in Broadway UK
My favorite discovery in Broadway was a public restroom right next to the large central parking lot. Maintained by a meticulous gentleman, he promptly made us aware that the restroom had been declared, “Loo of the Year.”
The “Loo of the Year,” Broadway, UK
The sign was proudly displayed and rightly so. The loo was spotless and the squarish Cotswold stone building fit right in with the architecture of Broadway. Who wouldn’t want to live in a place that can boast the “Loo of the Year”? My other delight were all the hanging baskets of pink fuchsias and purple cascading vines. They were beautiful and hanging outside several of the shops. We spent a lovely and lively afternoon in Broadway. You will want to add Broadway to your Cotswolds calendar!
For your reading enjoyment I have selected a hand printed and watercolored book by Susan Branch, titled A Fine Romance; Falling in Love With the English Countryside, that I literally devoured. A travel journal of her two month ramble through the backroads and small villages of the English countryside, it is filled with pictures, witty captions and charming detail of her dream to visit her long awaited England. For more information on Susan’s work see: http://www.susanbranch.com
How can you go to England, Wales or Scotland and NOT see buildings in the round? Making our way to Scotland starting at “A Cottage in the Cotswolds!” Enjoy!
St Andrew’s Home, Edinburgh, Scotland
A Good Look at Conwy, Wales
Conwy Castle, Conwy, Wales
Conwy Castle, Conwy, Wales
A Cottage in Snowshill
There are so many lovely villages in the Cotswolds! Every time we explore a new village I think, “Oh, I love this one!” The village of Snowshill was like that! We made a slight turn into the village, up and around St Barnabus Church and Cemetery and then past the Cotswold stone cottages, laden with bursting roses, to admire the tended gardens and the sheep grazing in the pastures. It’s truly hard to believe there are still villages to be found like this!
Visiting the Snowshill Arms, the local friendly pub, I see the featured Donnington beers can be found in seventeen pubs in the area! We could do a pub crawl! Better yet, for the more adventurous, there is a 62-mile circular walk, called the “Donnington Way,” from fifteen pub-to-pub sections, where you can join the walk from any pub. Some Donnington Inns offer B&B’s, so you can walk distances of your choice. There is a map available for purchase called, the OS Outdoor Leisure 45, the Cotswolds, that covers the entire route! What a grand way to see the well-kept countryside and hidden villages!
Snowshill Arms
The Only Pub in Snowshill
Next we visit the fragrant lavenders fields of Snowshill Lavender Farm. Rows and rows of sweet fragrant lavender! There is also a retail shop and small restaurant here. A very relaxing way to spend the afternoon! Returning to Chipping Campden, let’s round out the day strolling the meadows of Broadway.
Broadway Tower is a folly located on Broadway Hill, near the village of Broadway, UK. The tower was the brainchild of Capability Brown and designed by James Wyatt in 1794, in the form of a castle, and built for Lady Coventry. The tower was built on a “beacon hill” where torches were lit on special occasions. Lady Coventry wondered if a beacon built on this hill could be seen from her house 22 miles away and sponsored the construction of the folly to find out. Broadway Tower could clearly be seen! Today the tower is a tourist attraction with a country park of deer. There is also a restaurant and gift shop here. The grounds are a perfect place to picnic!
For more information on Cotswold Lavender see: http://www.cotswoldlavender.co.uk/
For more information about Snowshill Arms see: http://www.donnington-brewery.com/the_snowshill_arms_snowshill.htm
Not every monument is going to be one of grandeur. In the cemetery in Snowshill, UK, this tall, proud monument is one of remembrance. Won’t you join me on the travels through the Cotswolds? Enjoy!
Snowshill Cemetery Monument
Today for Travel Theme: Clean, we are in the woodlands around Broadway, UK. Seeing the windmills like this is pleasant! Clean fresh air! Join me as we travel to “A Cottage in the Cotswolds.” Enjoy!
Refer to: http://wheresmybackpack.com/2014/04/11/travel-theme-clean/
Clean Air, Broadway UK
Another view of beautiful Conwy, Wales! Notice the pigeons on the chimney stack! We’re making our way to Wales, starting with the series, “A Cottage in the Cotswolds.” Enjoy!
Conwy,Wales
Oaks Cottage Gate, Ebrington, UK
I met a lovely man in a Chipping Campden clothing shop on High Street, who asked me what brought me to the village. When I answered, “my ancestors,” he invited me to his village and church in Ebrington. You see, I am making my way to Kinlet, Shropeshire, UK and St John the Baptist Church, where my ancestors, Sir Humphrey Blount and his wife Elizabeth, are buried.
Ebrington, UK
Ebrington, a village of narrow lanes and tiny streets of Cotswold stone cottages and thatched roof cottages, is a just a short walk from Chipping Campden. The Ebrington Arms Inn and Pub, is a great place to eat and quench your thirst before exploring. The Inn features guest rooms, a restaurant and pub, the hub of village life. The Inn was packed and will not disappoint you. Walking up a short hill I came to a narrow lane, walked past the Church Steps Cottage and on into the gate of St Eadburgha, named after Eadburgha, the daughter of King Edward the Elder. The tower and south doorway of the church are believed to date from the 13th century, but the church, like most ancient churches, has been enlarged and restored over the years. Stepping inside the church, which is not locked like so many these days, there is a stone coffin, lepers seat, and other ancient architectural details. Be sure to read St Paul’s Admonitions to Wives and Husbands to the left of the font! St Eadburgha’s Church stands on a commanding position on one of the highest hills in the Cotswolds and the tower can be seen for miles around. We loved the thatched cottages, stone walls, garden gates and abundant flowers in Ebrington. I discovered that the bird, that I thought was rather still for a long time on one of the cottages, was part of the thatched roof and made of straw! Every cottage had a name, and upon returning home I was determined to name my own, The End Cottage. Not far from Ebrington, is Hidcote Manor, a National Trust Garden, one of the most lovely gardens in the UK. The day we were here it was closed, bummer, but what a wonderful excuse to come back to the village of Ebrington! Enjoy!
For more information about the Ebrington Arms Inn and Pub see:
The Church Cat at St Eadburgha’s
I loved this combination sign and trash bin that I saw in Conwy, Wales! Join me on our journey through Great Britain, Wales and Scotland, starting in “A Cottage in the Cotswolds.”
Sign in Conwy, Wales
Tales, Thoughts + Tribulations of a Free Spirit in Suburbia
Travels on foot
Minding my mind, one thought at a time.
Un lungo racconto fotografico.
Featured
Photography, hiking, walking, and cycling across central Japan — from quiet mountain paths to everyday life around Nagoya.
Looking for meanings in words, images and sounds
Reflections on places traveled and photos taken.
Cruising with the Thyrre Family
Where my Travels and my Blog merge together.
The mental meandering that cross my keyboard
Website & Blog of J. Kelland Perry, Author
A photographic journey.
Photography celebrating flowers, plants, and the natural world
Roaming, at home and abroad
The Corner Garden
Photography, Travel and Retirement
Upgrade Your Travels. First Class Luxury Travel from all parts of the Globe. Business Class Airline, Lounge and Hotel Reviews, Stories and Adventures
A China travel and lifestyle blog
The Travel Lady In Her Shoes 