Tag: England

Weekend Adventures- The Elizabethan Gem, Montacute House

I’m just going to put this out there- I love National Trust properties.  Yes, I am well aware this is probably going to ruin my street cred (ha as if I have street cred)  but I really do love nothing more on a weekend than going and exploring a stately home, manicured garden and some pretty quintessentially English landscapes. In Australia, we don’t have many of these historic buildings. We have a completely different history.  So maybe this is where my fascination with these properties comes from I’m just not used to them.  We read about mansions and castles in books but never got to actually see any or walk around them.

I love the history, the stories, the artwork, the secret gardens if all just makes you feel like stepping back in time (or often for me like I am a royal queen) and seeing how different life was in the past. I think the national trust has done a tremendous job restoring and maintaining these properties. To think they are still standing and still intact after 100s of years is amazing.

We’ve been to see quite a few places over the years and some of which has been blogged about previously (and many still to be blogged about) but over the Easter weekend this year we ventured to the Elizabethan Gem Montacute House.

Located just outside of Yeovil in Somerset this commanding house was built by Sir Edward Phelips in 1598. He was obviously a wealthy and powerful in those days and he was most commonly known for his role in the prosecution in the trial against Guy Fawkes. He was also on very good terms with King James who donated a portrait of himself which is still on display in the house to this very day.


The building is made from the local Ham Stone which gives the building a lovely honey tint. Walking up to the gate you get a lovely view of the house and can see why it’s been used in so many films and Tv programs. The gardens are well manicured and full of colour, especially with the brightly coloured tulips. My personal favourite was the wibbly wobbly hedge that looks like a big green cloud. My other half loved the orangery so much he is now planning to try and build one for us.

After strolling around the gardens we then headed into the house and found signs of the past in all rooms. We even saw a historic version of an ensuite. The most impressive inside the house was the Long Gallery. This is apparently the longest of its kind in the country and houses over 60 portraits. They are spectacular and yes you can feel all theirs eyes watching you. The portraits are on loan from the National Portrait Gallery and well worth seeing. Seeing all the faces, the fashion and different techniques just add more insight into the past. I liked seeing the lesser known portraits just as much as seeing ones of Queen Elizabeth the First and Henry VIII.

When we finished exploring through the house and gardens we then also went to out to explore the village that shares its name with the house. The ham stone is present throughout the village and it couldn’t have been more British if it tried. Two sweet pubs and a very creepy looking museum. It was a lovely little village.


To visit the property is £12.60 per adult from March to October. Outside of these times, you can only visit the garden and there is a discounted rate for those months.  We actually opted to sign up for a year membership to the NT on our visit. I’ve never felt so middle aged in my whole life. But you know what I don’t care I’m just going to keep looking through my book to see where we can have our next weekend adventure.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house

A few more photos to show you this beautiful place

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Weekend Adventures- The Jurassic Coast

What surprises me most about southern England is the coastlines you can find. From the sandy beaches in Cornwall, the muddy estuaries in Somerset, pebbles beaches of Devon and Dorset and then the most stunning rugged coastlines of the Jurassic Coast.

The other half and I ventured down to the little village of Lulworth to experience this beautiful area.

All of last summer I wanted to come and visit however I’m almost glad I didn’t go in the summer and in fact went on a windy, chilly early Spring day. I think it added to the romance of the landscape also it was a little less busy.

Our first stop was at Durdle Door. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The ‘door’ and the coastline that surrounded it. The walk down to the beach is relatively easy but the walk back- jeez it was like a little gym work out. Sturdy footwear is a must. There is lots of Coast walks around the area as well that we didn’t get to do as we were only there for a day.

Durdle Door is a stunning rock formation which separates the beach and also Man O’ War Bay. The water in this area is a beautiful shade of blue and when the weather is good the swimming, snorkelling and kayaking would get you even closer to experiencing these dramatic coastlines.

Also, note for others don’t ask your partner to take a photo of you and then accidentally put your handbag by his feet. He’ll trip and almost fall off the cliff.  Not one of my finest moments.


After Exploring Durdle Door we headed down into the town and cove area to the lovely typical British seaside village of Lulworth.  It is world famous due to the unique geology of the area. The water was a little cold (bloody freezing) so no swimming or rock pooling for us but I can imagine in the summer it would be lovely. You can also take The coastal path from Lulworth cove to Durdle Door for even more views. One thing to note is the car parking pay and display covers you got both Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door so make sure you buy enough time for both.


Before heading back we stopped off at Lulworth castle. The castle is closed on weekends due to it being a very popular wedding venue. Getting married in a castle would be amazing #disneyprincess

Even though we could see inside the castle the grounds, church and exterior of the castle were spectacular. As it was slightly out of season it was really quiet but I can imagine there would be lots of picnics on the grounds and further exploring in the huge park. I even heard there were peacocks but sadly didn’t see any only spring lambs

The castle is from the 17th Century and was initially a hunting lodge for the aristocracy. It’s experienced fires and being seized by the Roundheads but is still standing and still showing so much history.

I can thoroughly recommend this area and look forward to heading back to see what other treasures the Jurassic Coast has to offer.

For more information on these areas see the following links

www.jurassiccoast.org

https://www.lulworth.com/


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Maverick and Goose take to the skies

My other half loves machines. And I mean LOVES machinery.

So for his birthday this year I got him an experience that could add to his long list of machines that he’s driven… or in this case flown.  He was going to fly a plane.

Luckily the day of the flight was a crisp sunny day so no chance of being rescheduled. When we arrived we were able to pay an extra £25 for me to also go up and sit and the back. I then assumed the position of official photographer. Obvs.

Our pilot knew the area where we lived so had planned a route that would take us over and around the point of interest for our area and also over the village we live in. As soon as we were in the air the controls were handed over to my partner and then for the next hour he flew the plane. I could see by the pure joy on his face that I may have started him off on a very expensive new hobby.

Seeing the fields, towns, villages and lakes from up above is just beautiful and reminds you actually how big the world is. Even in your small part of the world.

The team at Bristol and Wessex were amazing. Really informative, professional and great at teaching my Maverick through the whole experience.  For an hour flight it was £189 plus the £25 for  me to go up as well. They have other options including a half an hour trial and an hour land away.  |Check them out here http://www.bristolandwessex.co.uk/

Being able to do this experience as well (without the risk of me trying to fly- me driving  a car is bad enough) was amazing. We’ll long remember this over any material item I could have brought for him for his birthday.

It was really a beautiful way to see the area you live in and silly me I have started something now.. he’s booking up a trail lesson to fly a helicopter when we are on the Gold Coast later this year.

Hidden Gem- The Subhouse, Wells UK

Its been a bank holiday weekend here in the UK (exactly the same as Public Holiday just a more British way of saying it) and my other half and I went and enjoyed a day in Wells.

Wells is in the South West of England and is home to the Wells Cathedral, Bishops Palace, markets and is also where the film Hot Fuzz was filmed.  We live just down the road so it was bit of being a tourist in your own area type of day.

My other half had been told about a newish restaurant and we thought we should check it out for lunch. And oh my was this suggestion a good one.

You wouldn’t have known it was there walking down the street kinda like one of the secret bars that keep popping up everywhere. Locate in an all old sub station on a very unassuming street opposite a hideous night club and next to a car wash was the black door that took you to meat heaven.

The atmosphere, décor and communal seating  had been cleverly thought out and all made you feel comfortable, relaxed and like your at home just with way better food.  The staff added to this and we had fantastic service.

The food is mostly burgers, wings, ribs, sticky, saucey and pure delish. My other half opted for the biggest burger on the menu (thinking it may cure his hangover)  and I had a spicy chicken wrap. Both of these were amazing. Super tasty, full of flavours and just  hit the spot. They stock a lot of craft beers and ciders which due to aforementioned hangovers we didn’t try. I did however have a Bounty Hunter milk shake which came with the added bonus of a bounty bar (big thumbs up from me).

Upstairs they have a bar which I am assuming they have for the evening and two games rooms one had Mario Kart on and the other had a foosball table. Beautifully quirky! After speaking to some friends I’ve also heard they do amazing cocktails so will need to go back one evening and give these a try.

Everything was reasonably priced and between the two of us cost under £25.

If  happen to find yourself in this lovely little city then make sure you stop by The Subhouse. Who knows we might be sat on the table next to you- I’ll  be the one with the pink carnation

 

Check them out here- http://www.thesubhouse.co.uk

  

Rain drops in London

I swear  Mary Poppins is flying in on this picture in the background somewhere.


I’ve been up the London Eye several times and I must say going up at dusk was by far my favourite. The lights, the sky, the contrast of the sun set against the buildings all much prettier than in the daylight.

I’d recommend booking ahead. It wasn’t overly busy when we got there but as we had booked ahead we literally went straight into our pod when we got there.

You get a full 360 view of London. All of the well known landmarks and then some you’ve probably never heard of. The rate at which the Eye goes round you have so much time to take it all in and get your photos.

Yes it’s touristy, yes it’s crowded but it’s a definite must for a trip to London.

To book ahead here is their website https://www.londoneye.com

A few photos from our trip

London Blue Skies 

I was in London over the Easter Weekend and we were treated to some glorious blue skies!

My dad always jokes when he visits the UK ‘oh look another grey day’ and whilst this is probably true 80% of the time,  some days it really is just glorious. I probably should add whilst it looks warm it was still a coat, woolly hat and scarf kind of day. But hey you can’t have everything can you ☺️