NATIONAL
TRUST VISITS 2018
Every year at about this time, I write a summary of my
visits to National Trust properties during the previous year. I have
been a member of the National Trust for four years now, and in that
time I have had the pleasure of visiting some truly wonderful places,
and 2018 was no exception. I am happy to say that I also managed to
fulfil two of my lifetime ambitions in the process. Here is a summary
of four of the properties visited in 2018. For more in-depth
information and for charges and membership details, please visit:
www.nationaltrust.co.uk
FELBRIGG
HALL & BLICKLING ESTATE
Whenever I am travelling within the UK, I will always
look out to see what National Trust properties are in the area I am
visiting. It was no different when in April I found myself spending a
few days on a road trip which took in the beautiful county of
Norfolk. I was very happy to find that there were two very
substantial National Trust properties for me to visit within a short
distance of where I was staying.
FELBRIGG HALL
The first of these was Felbrigg Hall, a magnificent
house with some beautiful stained glass windows dating back to the
15th century. Set in 520 acres of wonderful parkland and
woods, Felbrigg Hall is an absolute delight, and even comes complete
with a herd of very friendly, inquisitive cows which came to greet me
and pose for some photos. Close to the famous seaside town of Cromer,
Felbrigg Hall is easily accessible and provides ample parking along
with a garden shop, gift shop, cafe and toilet facilities. The
parkland is open from dawn to dusk, but as opening times for the
house vary, please check the National Trust website prior to your
visit.
Post code for Sat Navs: NR11 8PR
BLICKLING ESTATE
The second property visited on this trip was Blickling
Estate, an incredibly well preserved Jacobean mansion with a very
impressive 18th century long gallery. Visitors, with an
interest in books, will be extremely impressed with the marvellous,
inspiring library, housing over 12,500 volumes.
Surrounded by a formal garden, the house is a joy to
visit, and with the gardens leading onto undulating parkland, the
opportunity to wander free is there for all. There is the obligatory
gift shop for all those delightful little purchases, 3 very tempting
cafes to tend to your culinary requirements, a garden shop and a very
interesting second hand book shop.
For entrance charges and opening times please refer to
the National Trust website.
Located in Aylsham, the post code for Sat Nav directions
is: NR11 6NF
HADRIAN'S
WALL & HOUSESTEADS FORT
One of the lifetime ambitions that I mentioned in my
foreword, was to visit Hadrian's Wall. I have travelled to the north
of England on many occasions, even venturing over the border into
Scotland at least half a dozen times. However, for whatever reasons,
I have never managed to find the time to visit Hadrian's Wall or any
of the many forts and towers that are scattered along the way. The
scale of the wall is very impressive, and it is both the scale and
the amazing history that has always appealed to me, and fired up my
imagination. So, in July I found myself setting off on yet another
road trip, this time taking in all four corners of the UK. I was
determined, on this occasion, to finally take the time to visit this
very famous and historic wall.
I was heading to the Dumfries area of Scotland and had
planned a route that would allow me to view both the wall and an old
Roman fort, with a diversion of approximately sixty miles. The part
of the wall that I had selected for my visit was near Housesteads
Fort, a remarkably well maintained Roman fort, cared for by the
National Trust. Close to the town of Hexham in Northumberland, the
site was easy to locate using the NE47 6NN postcode provided by the
National Trust on their website.
There is a charge to use the car park as it is not run
by the National trust, but this is only a few pounds, and the car
park provides ample parking. There is a small visitor centre with a
gift shop, toilet facilities and a cafe area. From the visitor centre
it is a ten minute walk to the site of the fort, and just a little
further beyond the fort is Hadrian's Wall.
Unfortunately, due to time restraints, my time at
Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads fort was shorter than I would have
liked. Nonetheless, my visit was most enjoyable and I even managed a
short walk along the top of the wall. The views were amazing, and
even though the weather was somewhat inclement (typical British
summer!), it did not dampen my enthusiasm, or, evidently, that of
other visitors, with many people walking along the wall and visiting
the fort.
I left Houseteads fort very pleased that I had made that
sixty mile diversion. Both the wall and the fort far surpassed my
expectations, and I would urge anybody with an interest in history,
or even just a love of the beautiful British countryside, to pay
this historically rich and extremely interesting site a visit, you
won't be sorry you did.
THE
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
Following on from my visit to Hadrian's Wall, I spent a
few days in Scotland before travelling by ferry across the Irish Sea
to Belfast. It was to be in Northern Ireland that I would fulfil
another of my lifelong ambitions, to visit The Giant's Causeway!
The Giant's Causeway is located just a few miles north
east of the town of Bushmill in County Antrim. Bushmill is famous for
its whiskey as well as being the gateway to the causeway. Having seen
countless documentaries over the years about these incredible Basalt
columns, and having heard the stories surrounding their formation, I
was excited and intrigued to finally get to see and touch them, for
myself.
Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions between 50 and 60
million years ago, the causeway is made up of some 40,000
interlocking columns. Unesco declared it a world heritage site in
1986, and in 2005 it was named as the 4th greatest natural
wonder in the UK by a Radio Times poll.
The columns form stepping stones leading from the cliff
out to sea, and it is these stepping stones which led to the stories
of two battling giants. Most of the columns are hexagonal and the
tallest of these is a very impressive 12 metres high!
On arrival at the site, visitors will find ample car
parking close to the visitor centre. It is then a downhill walk of
approximately 20 minutes from the visitor centre to the causeway.
However, a shuttle bus is provided, at a small charge, for both
disabled visitors and those preferring not to walk. There is a coffee
shop, gift shop, bureau de change, and toilet facilities within the
visitor centre.
Although a very popular tourist destination, the site
did not appear overcrowded on my visit, and as the coast and the
coast path is open from dawn to dusk, there is ample time and
opportunity for all to view and even stand on this historic site. I
spent some time exploring the fascinating columns and sitting amongst
them, gazing out to sea, and understanding perfectly just how the
mythical tale of the brawling giants came about. The sun was setting
as I left to continue my journey, and this stunning, picturesque
scene made the moment seem even more magical. It was an experience
that I will never forget!
