vakantie engeland, wales


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To the Dutch website / Naar de Nederlandse website.Nederlands / Dutch   

     England, Wales Tour  

Take also a look at holidays 2007: England Tour in the south of England

In 2009 in July, we have made again a tour in England and Wales. We mostly stayed two days at an hotel.
The route was: Sutton (East Anglia)  - Worcester (Heart of England) -Tal y bont (North-Wales) - Easingwold (Yorkshire) - Bowness on Windermere (Lake district)

Like in 2007 we had a  National Trust Pass. 

Some beautiful areas  and gardens.  

Wicken Fen
We arrived on Monday in England.  There was much closed. Fortunately Wicken Fen was open.
It is one of the oldest nature reserves in England (in Cambridgeshire). A landscape with reedsbeds, open water and new wet grassland areas. There are three suggested trails (1,2 km, 3,6 km and 4,5 km) It is acquired by the National Trust.

Wicken Fen... Wicken Fen
Wicken Fen... Wicken Fen     


Cambridge  
Obviously a university town. The buildings of the universities are scattered through the city. Most buildings are not open for public. There are large lawns, where people can relax.
The chapel at King's College is a fee to visitors. King's College, unfortunately not.

Cambridge  ... Cambridge    
Christ´s College. King´s College.       
Cambridge    Cambridge    Cambridge  . Cambridge  . Cambridge           


Botanic garden in Cambridge
This garden of 16 hectares was intended for scientific research for Professor JS Henslow. (1831) In 1846, it is opened to the public.
There are over 10,000 labeled plant species in the garden. There is a water garden, winter garden, rock garden etc.
The glasshouses are already old, but are certainly worth visiting. The glasshouse consists of a long corridor. From there you can enter different glasshouses. In each glasshouse are plants from a particular climate or region. 
In the largest greenhouse are tropical forest plants.

Botanic garden in Cambridge... Botanic garden in Cambridge         
         
Botanic garden in Cambridge  Botanic garden in Cambridge  Botanic garden in Cambridge. Botanic garden in Cambridge. Botanic garden in Cambridge. Botanic garden in Cambridge. Botanic garden in Cambridge         


Stowe Landscape Gardens
The gardens are just outside of Buckingham. A 3 km long avenue leads to the Stowe House. This was formerly the residence of the Dukes of Buckingham. Now it is a public school. The hall and the main state rooms in the house are open to the public.
Very interesting are the large landscape gardens (managed by National Trust).
In the 18th century, Sir Richerd Temple, known as Lord Cobham, asked many architects and garden architects  to design this park. Famous garden designers such as Bridgeman, Kent and Gibbs.
You see buildings and statues. It is a little bit kitsch, I think, but it's still fun to watch.
There are 42 monuments. We haven't seen all, but we have had a great time.

Stowe Landscape Gardens... Stowe Landscape Gardens         
Stowe Landscape Gardens         
Stowe Landscape Gardens  Stowe Landscape Gardens  Stowe Landscape Gardens. Stowe Landscape Gardens. Stowe Landscape Gardens. Stowe Landscape Gardens         


Claydon House
   
  
Buckinghamshire, England, close to the village of Middle Claydon. 
The Claydon Estate Gardens near the house we haven't visited this time.
Formely the house belonged to the Peverell family.
The house was rebuilt by Ralph 2nd Earl Verney between 1757 and 1771. It's just part of its original planned size. In the house you can see the original design.
In the 19th century, Florence Nightingale often visited the house. She was the sister in law of Sir Harry Verney. The Verney family still lives in this house in a side wing.
Beside the house a very old church.  

Claydon House ... Claydon House          
Claydon House   Claydon House   Claydon House .          

  

Worcester
A pleasant town with a nice shopping center.
Important are the River Severn and the Cathedral. Bishop Wufstan began the presant building in 1084. There had been a church on the same place.
One of the attractions is the tomb of King John Lackland.

Worcester... Worcester. Worcester. Worcester         
Worcester  Worcester  Worcester         


William Shakespeare   
 

Anne Hathaway´s Cottage
In the village of Shottery is the house where William Shakespeare's wife lived before they married. You can visit the house the garden and orchard.
Shottery is close to Ford upon Avon Stat. There is much more about Shakespeare to be found.

Anne Hathaway´s Cottage...  Anne Hathaway´s Cottage        
Anne Hathaway´s Cottage  Anne Hathaway´s Cottage  Anne Hathaway´s Cottage. Anne Hathaway´s Cottage. Anne Hathaway´s Cottage. Anne Hathaway´s Cottage         
Anne Hathaway´s Cottage... Anne Hathaway´s Cottage         
Anne Hathaway´s Cottage  Anne Hathaway´s Cottage  Anne Hathaway´s Cottage. Anne Hathaway´s Cottage  In the garden are sculptures inspired by Shakespeare plays. I have taken some photos.       

Statford upon Avon
This is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. You can find much about the time the lived. 
It is a tourist town.
Between modern houses you will find beautiful old houses. 

Statford upon Avon  Statford upon Avon      

Birthplace of William Shakespeare... Birthplace of William Shakespeare. Birthplace of William Shakespeare. Birthplace of William Shakespeare  
Birthplace of William Shakespeare. In this house he was born and has grown up.     
Nash´s house  Nash´s house  Nash´s house   Nash´s house
This house belonged to Thomas Nash, who married the granddaughter of William Shakespeare. 
Next to Nash's house was the house New Place, that was demolished in 1759, where William Shakespeare died in 1616. It is a garden now.
         
Het huis van dokter John Hall.  Het huis van dokter John Hall.  Het huis van dokter John Hall.. Het huis van dokter John Hall.  The house of doctor John Hall.
He married Susanna the oldest daughter of William Shakespeare.
        
The Holy Trinity Church (1210) where William Shakespeare, his wife Anne and members of the family are buried.  The Holy Trinity Church (1210) where William Shakespeare, his wife Anne and members of the family are buried.  The Holy Trinity Church (1210) where William Shakespeare, his wife Anne and members of the family are buried.  The Holy Trinity Church (1210) where William Shakespeare, his wife Anne and members of the family are buried.
         


Croft Castle
 
Croft Castle is an early 17th century house.
There 's a family connection dating back more than 1000 years!!! The current Lord and Lady Croft still live in the castle today..
The part, which you can visit is certainly interesting. There was also a special exhibition of art. Two examples are shown here.
There were also people in the clothing of the past.
The parkland (1.500 acres) is open to the public from March to December

Croft Castle ... Croft Castle . Croft Castle . Croft Castle   art         
Croft Castle   Croft Castle   Croft Castle Croft Castle . Croft Castle          


Powis Castle
This castle is located in central Wales in Powis near the town of Welshpool.
It is not like many other castles in Wales built by the British. It was a castle for the Prince of Wales. The red stone of the castle are striking. Powis Castle is built in the 13th century.
Next to the castle is a beautiful (baroque) garden on the terraces. You can walk all the way down.

Powis Castle... Powis Castle         
Powis Castle... Powis Castle         
Powis Castle... Powis Castle         
Powis Castle  Powis Castle  Powis Castle. Powis Castle. Powis Castle         


Bodnant Garden
This garden is world famous. It belongs to the manor of Lord and Lady Aberconway and can be found in North Wales. It is 32 hectares and is situated above the River Conwy. It is the most beautiful garden we ever have seen. 

Bodnant Garden... Bodnant Garden         
Bodnant Garden...  Bodnant Garden        
Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden The first part looks like a park. There are trees, rhododendrons, but also flowerbeds.         
Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden   There are many high trees. The first tree is a sequoia.        
Bodnant Garden... Bodnant Garden         
Bodnant Garden... Bodnant Garden         
Bodnant Garden... Bodnant Garden         
Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden                  
Then we went down to a small river. The forest looks very natural.          
Bodnant Garden... Bodnant Garden   
Bodnant Garden Then we went to the gardens near the mansion of  Lord and Lady Aberconway. The house is not open for public.          
Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden  Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden         

 

Edward I of England built late 3th century many castles (fortresses) to contain the Welsh. Most are ruins now .
Three examples.

Conwy
In Conwy there is a castle constructed by Edward 1. Conwy itself is quite modern for a fortified town. On the quay is a fisherman's cottage, 3 m high, that seems to be the smallest house in Great Britain .
You see on one photo three bridges side by side. In the middle the old bridge. Right for the train and left the road to Ireland.

Conwy... Conwy         
Conwy  Conwy  Conwy. Conwy. Conwy. Conwy. Conwy. Conwy         


Caernafoon
From the sea, the castle is impressive. From the city it is a bit less.
It was built in 1283 after the victory of Edward l on Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last Welsh Prince.
In the castle is a museum with military uniforms and medals. The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.

Caernarfon Castle... Caernarfon Castle. Caernarfon Castle         

Beaumaris
In Beaumaris  Edward I built his last castle. It is a ruin now .
Beaumaris is a seaside resort and port on the island Anglesy.
The beach isn't very nice. The view over the water is beautiful.
The church is a daughter of King John Lackland was buried.

Beaumaris... Beaumaris. Beaumaris. Beaumaris         


Snowdon Mountain Railway
in Gwynedd

A train for about fifty people to Snowdon, the highest mountain 1085 m of Wales.
It is a narrow gauge rack and pinion mountain railway. You will be rewarded with beautiful vistas. We were at half past 11 in the row and noticed that we would get the 3:30 pm train.
This took too long. We have left the station to do something else.
Tickets for the train can be purchased in advance by telephone using a credit/debit card. (Not on the day of travel). But......Tickets are non-transferable or refundable so you have to check the weather forecast before making a booking.

Snowdon Mountain Railway.         


Beningbrought Hall 
When we drove from Wales to York, it rained continuously. So we didn't stop. 
Near York it was dry. We visited Beningbrough Hall. In the house were beautiful paintings. As very often in the English buildings were volunteers who like to tell us about the house.
Unfortunately it was not allowed to take photos inside, (as usually).
I have taken some photos of the walled garden.

Beningbrough Hall ... Beningbrough Hall . Beningbrough Hall . Beningbrough Hall         


The North Yorkshire Moors Railway
We stayed only one day in Easingwold (Yorkshire). Therefore we had to choose between York, Castle Howard and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. We took the train.

From 1836 there is a railway through the Moors (first with horse-drawn carriages). In 1965 the railway was closed. But in 1967 it was reopened with help of a group of local people. 
The views are not breathtaking. But it is nice to see how proud the people are on the old trains. The starting point was Pickering. We got of the train in Goatland.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Pickering... North Yorkshire Moors Railway Pickering. North Yorkshire Moors Railway          
North Yorkshire Moors Railway Goathland.... North Yorkshire Moors Railway Goathland.         
North Yorkshire Moors Railway Goathland.  Goathland.  Goathland. Goathland   Goathland. We saw many sheep. There are fine walks. You can buy a guide with several walks.       


Fountains Abbey
When we left Easingwold (Yorkshire) and drove to the Lake district, we first visited the
Fountains Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1132. After the separation of the church of Rome Fountains Abbey fell into decline.
Now the ruins and the watergarden are a tourist attraction.

Fountains Abbey... Fountains Abbey         
Fountains Abbey... Fountains Abbey         
Fountains Abbey  Fountains Abbey  Fountains Abbey. Fountains Abbey. Fountains Abbey. Fountains Abbey. Fountains Abbey         


Yorkshire Dales National Park 
We were not sure we would take the tourist route ( the B6160) through Yorkshire Dales. 
Fortunately, we have done.
In a parking lot, we stopped. The view is breathtaking. The place is very high. Wherever you look, you see this view. Everywhere you see the barren moors with a single house. It is difficult to photograph, for you get a small part. It is a view we will not forget.

Yorkshire Dales National Park ... Yorkshire Dales National Park Yorkshire Dales National Park . Yorkshire Dales National Park          
Yorkshire Dales National Park   Yorkshire Dales National Park   Yorkshire Dales National Park   When we were already close to the Lake District, we stopped again. The view is very different now . Much greener.         

 

Bowness

Near Windermere is the town of Bowness. It is a nice town but very busy. You see a building in honor of the writer, illustrator Beatrix Potter. Especially for children it is worth a visit. 

Bowness... Bowness We have bought a gift to take to Holland.         
Hawkshead  Her house is open to visitors. Except on Friday and then we were to visit of course.         


Holehird Gardens
This garden is located near Bowness. You have from the garden a beautiful view. Admission and parking are free, but donations ( £ 3) when you like the garden. So we have paid.

 Holehird Gardens...  Holehird Gardens        
 Holehird Gardens  Holehird Gardens  View  
 Holehird Gardens   Holehird Gardens   Holehird Gardens.  Holehird Gardens     


Windermere

Uitzicht op Windermere vanuit ons hotel. De kat is de hotelkat.... Windermere        
View of Windermere from our hotel. The cat is the hotelkat.. 
Windermere   Windermere   Windermere . Windermere . Windermere         
Windermere is the longest lake of England. It is 16 km long. It is also a very touristy area. This we found quite a pity..             


Hadrian´s wall
We have visited the Hadrian's Wall. This time Vercovicium fort at Housesteads. There was a strong wind and drizzle. But I think this is within this area.

Muur van Hadrianus, fort Vercovicium ... Muur van Hadrianus, fort Vercovicium         
Muur van Hadrianus, fort Vercovicium   Muur van Hadrianus, fort Vercovicium   Muur van Hadrianus, fort Vercovicium         


 I end with this photo from the boat to the Netherlands.

 

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