Monday 4 April 2011

Away-Day 2011

For the past two years Dave (Grand Manner) and I have arranged what we comically call Away-Days. Visits and tours of historical sites to gather as much information as possible, plus hundreds of photos!

Past Away-Days have included;
Hessen Park, Germany
The Roman Fort Museum, Germany
Wealdon and Down Open Air Museum
Avoncroft Museum

This year we are planning a couple of day trips around the Welsh Marches, following a rough route along Offa Dyke and taking in the border towns of Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Leominster,
Hereford and Hay-on-Wye.

The whole area is full of historical sites, from Roman forts to medieval town houses and with a planned stop-over at Hay-on-Wye to search through the bookstores we should have more than enough to fill two days.

The reason for this post is to ask for some advice and guidance. Are there any sites or buildings that we should include or towns that we should not miss? Any help would be greatly appreciated, so to any contacts or books that you think we should be referencing prior to the final planning.

So far the list includes;
Broomfield Priory Gatehouse, Ludlow
Stokesay Castle
St. Marys' Church, Ludlow
Bridgenorth Town Hall
Ledbury (loads of interesting buildings)
Bishops Castle, Shropshire (again loads of buildings)
Additions;
Lower Brockhampton, Nr. Bromyard, Worcs.

As discussions develop it looks more like three days than two - a North, Central and Southern tour.

Tony


3 comments:

Leutenant Brittan said...

Hi!

Beware Haye on Wye! Theres enough book shops to loose a day in and the temptation to books is great!

Best of luck!

Steve-the-Wargamer said...

I've always loved this place when we visit the area..

http://www.castlewales.com/llantho.html

..recommended - nice pub just down the road as well!

Ubique Matt said...

Hi Tony,

A few suggestions:
Old Richard's castle - one of original motte and bailey castles, built before the Norman invasion and a very interesting church and separate bell tower.

Mortimer's Cross - site of the battle and mill.

Wigmore castle - home of the Mortimers.

Leintwardine - Roman fort

Regards,
Matt

PS Brockhampton sells some very nice jam, well worth trying.