Last weekend D and I made a trip to Lichfield for a walk mainly round the City Centre.
Unfortunately what I hadn't realised was that there were two Festivals on - a Beer Festival and a Folk Festival so parking the car was somewhat of a challenge! Luckily I managed to get the last spot at a car park near the Cathedral Close which I have used before.
Right by the car park is Erasmus Darwin's House. Erasmus Darwin was Charles Darwin's grandfather. If you would like to see our visit to the house a few years ago please see here
We walked past several parks and pools into the centre.
Due to the Folk Festival there were several morris dancer displays.
Samuel Johnson's(of dictionary fame) Birthplace Museum which we didn't visit but I did with my daughter a few years ago to see the post please see here
St Mary's is now a library with a heritage centre and exhibitions. Several features from the church, however, still remain particularly the stained glass and altar. The current church dates from 1870.
Continuing our walk......
The Guild Hall
Who could resist a wander along a little alley called Tudor Row which was full of interesting little shops.
The Garrick Theatre
Time for a late lunch at the Tudor tea rooms. Sorry I couldn't get a photo of the exterior as it was covered in scaffolding due to renovation work but the tea rooms were charming and the service and food very good.
We stocked up on cheese including a rather delicious Sage Derby at a shop called the Cheese Cavern.
Then we wandered back towards the car past Minster Pool,
the Library and Museum and
Garden of Remembrance
and a short walk around the Museum Gardens.
D suggested a visit to the cathedral shop to stock up on Advent Candles but the shop was no longer in a house opposite the cathedral. Apparently it is now housed actually inside the cathedral which was closed for an event! So just a few photos from the West Front which has many statues of kings and biblical figures.
I've been to Lichfield quite a few times now but have only ever been able to spend around three quarters inside the Cathedral as when we visited it was a Sunday and we could only gain entrance for a short period between services. One of these days I will go back probably on a week day and spend a few hours there. I am not sure why we don't visit Lichfield more often as it is a charming city and only 30 minutes from home.
*D photos taken by my son with the Canon SX50HS bridge camera
Rest of photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FX330 bridge camera
