I recently went on a road trip with one of my friends and picked out the town of Tewkesbury. at random. It was an inspired choice as it happens and we arrived at an historic settlement located at the point where the River Severn and River Avon meet. These rivers were much in evidence in…
Tag: Henry VIII of England
Take three castles …
Over the last 12 months, I have had the good fortune to visit three castles – all with The Hound in tow – and they couldn’t have been more different. Take Southsea Castle, where in my mind’s eye, I can visualise a stressed and desolate King Henry VIII, standing proudly whilst watching his tried and tested flagship,…
Another day, another Castle!
I have visited Southsea Castle, Portsmouth, on more occasions than I care to remember but I have to say, on this last and most recent visit, the old girl is looking better than ever! Located on Southsea Beach, between the common and South Parade Pier, you can easily understand its strategic importance and why Henry VIII…
The Mary Rose Museum has landed …
From certain angles, the award-winning Mary Rose Museum has the look of a flying saucer, landing right next to Nelson’s historic flagship, HMS Victory in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard. When you step inside however, that is where the similarity ends – even though the technology that has brought us to this point in Mary Rose’s history is…
Venerable Ruins – Cowdray
On leaving Cowdray ruins this past May I asked my husband, what he thought and all he could say was “sad”. I asked why, and the response was “…this house should still be great” and I have to agree. Cowdray is one of England’s most important early Tudor houses and was visited by Queen Elizabeth I…
Regal Ruin – Portchester Castle
Is Portchester Castle a Regal Ruin? Yes says my friend but I am torn for I have climbed its inner sanctum – the great Keep – and it appeared in remarkably good condition! It was here that the most important apartments would have been located although later, it housed prisoners during the Napoleonic wars. Of…
Winchester Cathedral: simply the best …
Let’s go to Winchester to see the cathedral said Bob one summer’s day so off we went to see possibly the most beautiful ecclesiastical building I have even seen. Walking towards the cathedral from the town through an avenue of shady limes, you are suddenly presented with a building of such overwhelming size, it tends…
Regal Ruin – Netley Abbey
I chanced upon Netley Abbey when flicking through my English Heritage handbook so, one sunny day, I set off on a “ruin hunt”. Accessed via an inauspicious tiny car park (don’t worry – you can park in neighbouring roads easily), you are not really prepared for the vastness and the romanticism of this venerable ruin….
Regal Ruin – Titchfield Abbey
I love a good ruin hunt and thanks to Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, there are quite a few to see in the UK today, all at various degrees of disintegration. So it’s Ruin Week here on A3Traveller! Titchfield Abbey looks quite impressive when you drive through its narrow gateway to park up in…
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