We were on our way north and stopped here for a lunch break and a walk on the castles estate…read more There's a good sized parking lot, even with some spaces providing a bit of shade from the trees. Great for a hot summer day (like it was on our visit). We traveled with our Bulldog, so we just came to enjoy the castle from the outside and to have a walk around the estates parkland. Staff we've met were all very friendly and welcoming. It was built in 1295 as part of Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales. It was later on demolished in the English Civil War, but then rebuilt. Since 1981 it belongs to the National Trust. And it's a beautiful castle. It's really in a fantastic condition and the land and park surrounding it are well taken care of. There are some small trails around the the meadow and castle and some longer trails to enjoy a bit more of the parkland. Some tables and benches in front of the castle to enjoy a picnic with these wonderful views all around. For another time it's surely worth a re-visit to see the gardens and the inside. It's just really a wonderful place to see and to be. We really enjoyed it.

This pandemic has gotten me too nostalgic as I recently took a walk down memory lane. About this…read moretime last year, I was enjoying a lovely vacay in the UK. Chirk Castle was on the list of sites that I remembered as if it were yesterday. This historical castle sits in a little town with green pastures. Upon entering, there was a knight wearing full metal gear from head to toe for photo opps. He was actually pretty funny telling historical jokes and such. The inside of the castle was as beautiful as the outside. I caught myself trailing along with a tour group and hearing about various artwork. There's even a dark dungeon that you can check out! I spent the most time outside in the large garden in the back of the castle looking at each plant and flower. There's a little cart that sold cold treats in the garden, which was perfect. Someone please teleport me back to this trip... #9/2020

On my to do list of must sees in liverpool was the Three Graces - The fundamental international…read moresymbol for Liverpool, is the Royal Liver Building, as well as The Cunard and the Port of Liverpool buildings. They are all side by side located on The Pier head in Liverpool. Stunning architecture, all majestic in their own right.

This is the first building you see when your ship arrives at the cruise port. One of the famous…read moreThree Graces it stands out more than the other two. On top of the two towers of the building are statues of Liver Birds which are said to be good luck to sailors and the city. probably one of the most iconic buildings in Liverpool. It is a must see when you visit.

Towering 160m above both what was once the old-money village of Alderly Edge (now a mecca for…read morePremiership footballers and Wags) and the Cheshire Plain in general, the edge has some of the best views of anywhere in the area thanks to the dramatic edge - a steep cliff-like drop. The edge has historic associations with, somewhat incongruously, mining and wizardry, but these days it's a great place to go for a walk with either the kids, the dog, visitors or even a solitary stroll. There are car parks at both the foot of the edge and the top (the latter is the main one) giving the option of a quick trip to the edge itself and back or a longer, more demanding up-and-down walk.

I didn't expect discovering Rock of Gibraltar is owned by the British Peeps! Who knew? I surely…read moredidn't know this fact . . . I was also surprised learning that Spain wants the Rock returned to them, too. Visiting here was astonishing because Spain is right outside, but peeps living on the Rock-everyone uses British currency. Everyone in McDonald's spoke with a British accent! http://gibraltar.costasur.com/ http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/basics.htm http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/general.htm http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/home.htm

The rock of Gibraltar is indeed something very, very special. Just the thought of all sailors that…read morefor thousands of years that have shared this grand view is breathtaking. Lord Nelson, Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama are just a few that have passed this mighty rock. The view from the top of the Rock is just as breathtaking as its history. If possible - wait for clear skies before going to the top. It is worth it. Clear days it is possible to see far along the Spanish coast and across the sea to Africa. And - beware of the apes. No kidding. Already when docking at the top they may enter the cabin in search for food. According to the guards they are calmer and nicer in the morning than in the hot afternoon.

Regarded by many as the best preserved Elizabethan town house in the UK, this historic gem is well…read moreworth a visit. It contains a wealth of decorative plasterwork and woodwork. History The house was built by Robert Wynn, a younger son of John Wynn of Gwydir Castle. He had served with the British Ambassador in Bruges, and travelled around the Continent. When he retired to Conwy, aged 50, he built himself a town house incorporating the latest features and styles, reflecting his prestige. It was built 1576-1585. After his death, a dispute over his inheritance meant the house was eventually split into a lodging house, and also functioned as a school, and then the headquarters of the local antiquarian society, before being taken over and restored by Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments). The house This large building occupies a whole block of Conwy's streets. The main frontage consists of an elaborate gatehouse, courtyard and then the main house, which has its own courtyard and garden. The exterior has been plastered and limewashed, as it would have been originally. Inside, the rooms are a mixture of the 'working' rooms of the house kitchen, storage rooms, servants' quarters and so on, and the grander rooms intended for Wynn and his family. These have impressive fireplace mantels and panelling, and particularly large expanses of decorative plasterwork. In many places this is highly coloured, and includes decorative friezes of coats of arms, Tudor roses and other heraldic devices (and above all, Wynn's initials, RW, which appear everywhere). Another recurring motif is that of naked caryatids, carrying bowls of strawberries on their heads. They wear loincloths of leaves, and cover one breast, leaving the other bare. The plasterwork images are often touchingly naive and primitive, as local plasterers tried their best to reproduce unfamiliar images copied from pattern books. The house also has some impressive furnishings, although these have been sourced separately and are not original. In the attic, one room is furnished as it would have been in the early 19th century, as the home of a lodger, a washer-woman. Practicalities There is a guided audio tour available, which is well worth using, although the Tudor jingle which precedes each section may get irritating after a while. There are also static presentations on aspects of Tudor and later life. Access for those with restricted mobility is limited, due to the presence of stairs and uneven floors. There is also a shop at the entrance selling the usual cards, books and gift items.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed touring this Elizabethan house. When you first go in they actually…read morehave clothing you can try on from that period. I would highly recommend visiting.

I very much enjoyed the journey to this Roman relic on the outskirts of...just about everything…read more That said, this wasn't such an easy place to find - the comments on the Prestatyn tourism display tells you to watch for the signs, whereas I can confirm there are no signs in either direction. To get there, take Meliden Road and then look for the residential Melyd Avenue on your right. You will find the ruins inconspicuously at its end. I had just come to Prestatyn from Chester, which of course has many remnants of its Roman past, but I really found this site to be as special, if not even more so, than that celebrated city. Perhaps it was the journey to get there. As it is, a helpful display explains the functionality of the baths, and there are some benches to sit and ponder the scene from millennia ago. I walked here from Prestatyn High Street, and it took me about a half-hour. If you're doing the same, consider venturing on just a few more minutes down the road to Meliden which has a lovely parish church from medieval days, in case you feel like entering another historical epoch.

The cafe and the tour was excellent! It was splendid, stunning and awesome! And we went for free!read more

Harlech Castle is a lovely landmark built by King Edward 1st…read more Cost around £12 for a family of four but I believe you may get half price if you have an English Heritage membership card. Castle is stunning but avoid the toilets like the plague that it possibly has. They were disgusting and we were the first there in the morning, should have been cleaned.

Wales is awesome. And Llangollen is a great place to visit, nestled amongst the hills and with…read morebustling river running through the centre of town. The wharf sits above the main town and has views over towards the hills. You can come for a cup of tea (sit outside if the sun is shining) and a scone or a light lunch. The scone was a bit crumbly but tasted like someone had made it by hand - always good. Even the coffee was decent. The main joy of Llangollen Wharf is the canal and the horse drawn canal boat rides. You can choose between the 45 minute or 2 hour rides and cruise down the canal at one-horse power. It is a very enjoyable afternoon activity for young and old. Highly recommended.

A visit to Llangollen is not complete without a stroll up to the canal, and once there you will…read morefind the Wharf, with the original canalside buildings. These house a lovely cafe and gift shop, as well as toilets. But if you go further along the buildings, you might be taken by surprise to hear a shrill neighing or hurrumphing. Stabled there during the day are the sturdy horses who pull passenger barges along the canal, an idyllic way to pass the time, particularly in the summer (take warm clothing in the winter, as the boats are open). Or head the other way along the canal in a motorised enclosed boat, to chug across Telford's aquaduct on their Stream in the Sky cruise. And let your troubles slip away..........

City records first show The Cross (or High Cross as it was known) in 1377 and has been the site of…read morepublic proclaimations since medieval times. In the 17th century the town crier was permitted to keep a stall at the cross and to take the profits. During the Civil War it served as a rallying point for Royalist citizens but with their surrender in 1646 to Parliamentary troops after a long siege despite earlier re assurances the cross was destroyed with ornate upper section being lost without trace. The base of the Cross being discovered at Plas Newydd in LLangollen, North Wales circa 1817 where it remains. What was left was hidden under nearby St. Peter's Church until its discovery in 1820 after which it spent some 60 years in a Handbridge garden before being acquired by the 1st Duke of Westminster for the newly open Grosvenor museum. The city council re-erected the Cross in the Roman Gardens in 1949 before it was finally restored to its original site at the intersection of Chester's four main streets namely: Northgate, Bridge, Eastgate and Watergate in 1975. Perhaps it was a typical council job as it had only taken 329 years to complete!!!!!!!!!!!!