North Wales 9-16th August
North Wales 9th – 16 th August 2008 The main purpose of our ’ holiday,’ was to visit 5 National Trust ( NT) properties, none of which we had visited before. We set off from Huddersfield on a very wet morning, but by the time we arrived at Wrexham, the rain had just stopped. Our first property was Erddig. We were lucky, it was their Annual Victorian Weekend. A town crier was present & he introduced all events. We saw a Punch & Judy puppet show( really meant for children) Wrexham Brass Band, a Penny Farthing Bicycle, a gardener using traditional methods, a wood turner and basket maker. Also an Early Fire Engine powered by Steam.
Day 2
We drove the 50 or so miles to Anglesey, arriving at Plas Newydd before it had opened, so decided to travel to Holyhead. Here we visited South Stack lighthouse.
Heather Cliffs at South Stack
We then drove back via Llanfair PG & on to Plas Neydd, which by now was basking in beautiful sunshine. We spent time in the terraced gardens, where the views across the Menai Straits were stunning.
Day 3
No NT properties today, but Adrian took me to Llandudno, where he spent a number of holidays as a child. We travelled up the Great Orme on a rack railway ( the only one remaining in UK.)
Day4
We visited a castle ruin and a retail outlet, before the weather encouraged us to return the Llandudno area , where we visited Bodnant Gardens ( NT) Here we had views across the gardens to Snowdon.
Jackie & sister Heather at Bodnant Gardens
Day 5
I have always wanted to visit Portmerion, an Italian village which was built by Clough Williams-Ellis, in 1926, in order to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Although the weather looked threatening over Snowdon, we were lucky, the rain avoided us. However, we later heard that a funnel cloud was seen at the Anglesey Agricultural show. (A funnel cloud becomes a tornado when it touches the ground)
Estuary at Portmerion
We returned to our accommodation via Betys-y- Coed, where we walked to the Swallow Falls. A massive amount of water was tumbling over the rocks.
Swallow falls
Church at Betys- y- Coed
Day 6
Today we visited Conway( Welsh spelling Conwy) First to the castle ( not NT- but Welsh Heritage) However the gatehouse of the Suspension bridge is NT, but we could not gain access. We did however find Aberconwy ( NT) , the oldest surviving house in Conwy. We also visited the smallest house in UK, which is now condemned. We returned via Colwyn Bay, plenty of birds on the beach, but very few holiday makers- maybe because the pier is derelict.
Bridges, from left, new road bridge, old suspension bridge, railway bridge.
Aberconwy House ( NT)
Smallest House in UK
Queen Victoria at Conwy.
Day 7
Back to the Menai St area, where we visited Penryn castle. This was built from the spoils of Slate quarrying and the Slave trade in Jamacia. Although I did not like the pseudo castle, I was impressed with the Industrial Railway Museum, where they are actively renovating old trains, used in the slate quarries. It also holds the NT dolls exhibition. We spent an hour or so in the walled garden, which was much warmer than the grounds, which were effected by a cruel wind blowing in from the strait.
Kitchen at Penhryn
Rail renovations
Walled gardens
We treated ourselves to lunch in all these properties. The NT prides itself by cooking locally grown products wherever possible. My favourite were the Welsh cream Teas! It is back to the diet this week!
North Wales 9th – 16 th August 2008 The main purpose of our ’ holiday,’ was to visit 5 National Trust ( NT) properties, none of which we had visited before. We set off from Huddersfield on a very wet morning, but by the time we arrived at Wrexham, the rain had just stopped. Our first property was Erddig. We were lucky, it was their Annual Victorian Weekend. A town crier was present & he introduced all events. We saw a Punch & Judy puppet show( really meant for children) Wrexham Brass Band, a Penny Farthing Bicycle, a gardener using traditional methods, a wood turner and basket maker. Also an Early Fire Engine powered by Steam.
Day 2
We drove the 50 or so miles to Anglesey, arriving at Plas Newydd before it had opened, so decided to travel to Holyhead. Here we visited South Stack lighthouse.
Heather Cliffs at South Stack
We then drove back via Llanfair PG & on to Plas Neydd, which by now was basking in beautiful sunshine. We spent time in the terraced gardens, where the views across the Menai Straits were stunning.
Day 3
No NT properties today, but Adrian took me to Llandudno, where he spent a number of holidays as a child. We travelled up the Great Orme on a rack railway ( the only one remaining in UK.)
Day4
We visited a castle ruin and a retail outlet, before the weather encouraged us to return the Llandudno area , where we visited Bodnant Gardens ( NT) Here we had views across the gardens to Snowdon.
Jackie & sister Heather at Bodnant Gardens
Day 5
I have always wanted to visit Portmerion, an Italian village which was built by Clough Williams-Ellis, in 1926, in order to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Although the weather looked threatening over Snowdon, we were lucky, the rain avoided us. However, we later heard that a funnel cloud was seen at the Anglesey Agricultural show. (A funnel cloud becomes a tornado when it touches the ground)
Estuary at Portmerion
We returned to our accommodation via Betys-y- Coed, where we walked to the Swallow Falls. A massive amount of water was tumbling over the rocks.
Swallow falls
Church at Betys- y- Coed
Day 6
Today we visited Conway( Welsh spelling Conwy) First to the castle ( not NT- but Welsh Heritage) However the gatehouse of the Suspension bridge is NT, but we could not gain access. We did however find Aberconwy ( NT) , the oldest surviving house in Conwy. We also visited the smallest house in UK, which is now condemned. We returned via Colwyn Bay, plenty of birds on the beach, but very few holiday makers- maybe because the pier is derelict.
Bridges, from left, new road bridge, old suspension bridge, railway bridge.
Aberconwy House ( NT)
Smallest House in UK
Queen Victoria at Conwy.
Day 7
Back to the Menai St area, where we visited Penryn castle. This was built from the spoils of Slate quarrying and the Slave trade in Jamacia. Although I did not like the pseudo castle, I was impressed with the Industrial Railway Museum, where they are actively renovating old trains, used in the slate quarries. It also holds the NT dolls exhibition. We spent an hour or so in the walled garden, which was much warmer than the grounds, which were effected by a cruel wind blowing in from the strait.
Kitchen at Penhryn
Rail renovations
Walled gardens
We treated ourselves to lunch in all these properties. The NT prides itself by cooking locally grown products wherever possible. My favourite were the Welsh cream Teas! It is back to the diet this week!
And to keep the children happy
