With the long weekend upon us, we booked a hire car for the three days off and planned on traveling around the south west of England around Cornwall.
Our hire Car for the Weekend
Bath and Roman Baths and the City
Park Area (Have to pay to get in though!)
The Main (Central) Roman Bath
8 Pound entry fee each and we were each given a phone-like device that contained prerecorded messages on it as part of the audio tour of the Baths. The Baths themselves are fed from water from an underground spring and come out to the surface at around 30 degrees Celsius.
Baths
More Baths
Water Channels inside the old building delivering water to another internal Bath
Many other ancient artifacts that were uncovered during the excavation were on display and most of the stonework, etc was able to be examined really close.
Uncovered treasures from the past
The ancient stone carving was very impressive, and the whole tour took us about 2 hours, so reasonable value for money. At the end there was of course the usual shop to sell expensive trinkets, but up in the restaurant, you could get a FREE glass of water straight from the spring. It was pleasant in tasted, but was warm so not that satisfying. We even threw in a copper coin each into the wishing well whilst inside the reconstructed temple. It rained lightly for us while we were looking at the main pool and gave a great feeling of tranquility.
We then walked around the local streets and checked out the outside of the local Abbey.
Bath Abbey
Bath Streetscape
Bath Abbey in the Background
We were mindful of the time so we did not go in to pay our respects, but there is always next time. We did get some great shots from the outside though.
Stonehenge
Next on our list for the day was the magnificent Stonehenge. We arrived there with only about half an hour till closing time, but we were treated to a great sight. Another audio tour around the stones, but we entered for free, as we are members of the National Trust. We have been mindful to check out many different sites using our membership card to gain free entry. Three to seven pounds each and every time to see something adds up real quick over here, so paying a reasonable rate for membership before leaving Australia will save us plenty in the long run.
Stonehenge
They still don't know exactly what the stones were used for but it was impressive seeing it nonetheless.
More of Stonehenge
The audio tour discusses theories about the stones, where they came from, placement orientations, the barrows (hand dug channels around the site).
Woodhenge
As it was getting a bit darker, we started to head back towards Bristol. Just near Stonehenge is a lesser known site known of Woodhenge. This is a free site to enter, and a great little spot for us to relax after a long day. Compared to Stonehenge, this site was totally empty, so we had the place to ourselves.
Woodhenge
The Woodhenge arrangement of Timber Poles (now concrete)
In its day woodhenge comprised circles of timber posts embedded in the ground. The old pieces of timber used previously have been gone for years, but have been replaced with concrete posts to show how it would've looked like many years ago.
That evening we headed home through many windy narrow roads, and noticed a number of old style thatched roofed houses, a quite interesting style.
Thatched Roofs
On Sunday morning, we left early and headed south west along the M5 towards Cornwall. The M5 is a three lane highway with a nominal speed limit of 70 miles per hour, but as there are very few speed cameras, and when there are cameras, they have to warn you before you get there. So most people speed up to 100mph, and slow down when the signs appear on the side of the road. This is the way is should be in Australia, instead of the money hungry Government using the mega fine system to reap in the $$$.
Our first stop was in Exeter, but we could not find anything initially that stood out for us to check out and no tourist info centre to be seen. So off we continued to Plymouth, where we managed to get lost in the city, and not much to see there either!
Next on the road trip was Paignton, where we enjoyed a late lunch on the 'English Riviera' which is the beach zone lined with these little white huts with colourful doors.
English Riviera Huts
Paignton Jetty
The huts are used for locals as stores for their chairs, etc., they use while down on the beach.
Dodgy brown sand lined the beaches, and there was no 'sea smell', probably due to the lack of seaweed, etc., in the water.
Also in Paignton was a large Jetty decked out in rides, sideshows, etc. Not to be held back to see some dodgem cars, we starting driving north.
Country driving after that with some great views.
Views along the Road to Tavistock
There just happened to be the annual cheese tasting going on above the tourist centre there so we enjoyed some different local cheeses for free. the cider tasting costed money, which I was not too impressed with.
Tavistock
Then after we could not find any accommodation (except 85 pounds each per night in a fancy hotel!!!!) so we drove further north and almost immediately came across a 'free house' pub/inn, named the Mary Tavy Inn. The 'free house' refers to an independently owned pub not controlled by the breweries, so they have more local beers and ciders. We managed to get a double room for the night here, and a great way to relax it was. The steak I enjoyed was the best meal I have had in the UK so far.
View from the Mary Tavy Inn
The Mary Tavy Inn
That night we enjoyed ciders, beers and Guinness. That night the locals turned up for a quiz night so we joined in and had a great time too. We finished last, but we only had two on our table, and we were just pipped by a few other teams with 6 players, so we went ok considering.
A Full English breakfast was enjoyed the next morning.
Then on the road again further north to Lydford George. Free entry again courtesy of the national trust membership (a further saving of 5 pounds each)
The George is listed as a 'Spectacular river gorge and waterfall' and it doesnt disappoint.
Main features include Woodland trails through a deep-cut ravine alongside the river Lyd, Thunderous 90 ft Whitelady waterfall, 'Walk the plank' over the Devil's Cauldron whirlpools, Wildlife-watching hides located along the Railway Trail
The George walk is about 3 miles of undulating hills, steps and trails to get down to the waterfalls and back via the Devil's Cauldron .
Lydford George
Lydford George
Lydford George
Lydford Gorge Waterfall
Lydford Gorge
Lydford Castle
Upon leaving the walk around the George, we walked right past the Lydford Castle. Being a small Castle it had been preserved, but did not come with an entry fee. Just the kind of attraction we like to see. This castle used to serve as a prison many years ago.
Lydford Castle
Lydford Castle
Finch Foundry
We then headed to the Finch Foundry, in Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon
Free entry again courtesy of National Heritage.
The features of the Foundry include: Fascinating 19th-century water-powered forge in working order, Set amidst Dartmoor's dramatic countryside, Often humorous live machinery demonstrations, 'Four Villages Trail', a lovely circular walk starting at the foundry.
In its heyday the foundry produced agricultural and mining hand tools. Regular demonstrations throughout the day show the three waterwheels driving the huge tilt hammer and grindstone and the last set of working trip hammers in England.
Finch Foundry - Water Wheel driven Hammer for shaping tools
Water Wheel at the Finch Foundry
It was then time to start to head back to Bristol. We returned via Bridgwater (yes no 'e' in the spelling over here. Then Glastonbury briefly, only spent an hour there, but we shall return someday! Then we managed to get stuck in Holiday traffic, and not moving for around half an hour due to broken roadworks signals...
Glastonbury Main Street
Glastonbury Abbey
Traffic backed up as far as the eye can see!
1 comment:
You two sure did pack a lot into one long weekend. Woodhenge looks...um interesting to say the least. I drove past the sign last weekend but didn't stop.
After those photos I think I might have to make a stop in at Lydford and check it out for myself. Glad you had a good weekend. Cheers
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