English Marches holiday May 2019
This was a holiday with a lot of variety and we couldn’t have chosen a better time of year to appreciate the beautiful countryside, full of spring flowers and fresh green as we followed the River Severn upstream.
In Herefordshire we visited Weston’s Cider, who produce organic cider, for an interesting tour and talk. From Westons we went on to the beautiful cathedral at Hereford where one can see the Mappa Mundi.
We next visited the National Memorial Arboretum, which we all found very moving.
The afternoon was spent at Shugborough with an interesting layout of the expedition led by George Anson circumnavigating the world and capturing booty from Spanish ships en route.
At Blists Hill, we stepped back in time to when this green and leafy area had been filled with the noise and grime of industry and we were able to stroll around this Victorian town and talk to the workers and shop keepers.
From there it was an easy hop to an exhibition of Coalport China in its original factory, with its bottle furnaces, and Iron Bridge, built by local ironmaster, Abraham Darby in 1770s.
We had a gentler day when we visited the Victorian farm, Acton Scott, and on to Shrewsbury for a boat trip on the River Severn.
We ended our trip with a walk around Ludlow town centre, full of wonderful half timbered houses and a beautiful parish church.