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
9 comments:
So much to see and do. I am impressed that, with two festivals happening, your pictures are mostly devoid of crowds of people. Your sandwich makes me smile, it looks as if it is sticking out its tongue! My warped sense of humour. The stained glass is splendid and I would love to have a wander down Tudor Row myself, especially by way of the cheese shop!
You had a lovely walk around Lichfield and found so many interesting things. I always enjoy a walk around when we visit too, just gazing at the details of the old buildings. What a place of art, science and culture it has been over the years. I hope next time you visit you can spend time in the cathedral. When we visit we sometimes have coffee in the Garrick Theatre cafe and we have been in the Tudor tea rooms too. I think we are about 40 minutes away and it is always a treat to visit:)
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. re: the lack of people I have picked up my son's habit of sometimes taking photos of buildings higher up and cutting out the people and pavements! It was busier in some parts than others. For example I couldn't get a photo of two statues or a decent one of the church because of market stalls and people! lol! re: the sandwich :) Some nice little independent shops in Lichfield and Tudor Row had a rather good Christmas shop (if I dare mention the word this early!).
Rosie - Thanks so much. Glad to hear it is not far from you either. It really is an interesting place and I love all the green space like pools and parks on the perimeter of the city centre. I will remember the Garrick Theatre cafe thank you. There is a nice tea room too in Cathedral Close. I seem to have memories of you and I discussing The Lunar Society? Just to let you know I picked up a book on them secondhand recently called The Lunar Men by Jenny Uglow - although I haven't yet read it.
I am quite behind on my blog reading at the moment, i'm catching up slowly! You can't tell you were there when festivals were on, good angles on the photos! Who can resist a cheese shop.......
Pam - Thanks - I know the feeling as I often get behind on reading blogs too. Believe me the first part of the city centre was very very busy! Tudor Row though quieter as were the parks. Always look for a cheese shop and artisan bakery when I visit towns :)
There is certainly a lot of interest to see there
I had to smile at one of the window photos which seems to show a glowing halo hovering in front of it.
Midmarsh John - Thank you. Yes the halo does make you smile. The window was in the chancel area of the church which is now used as a computer room and as you can see the lights are designed as haloes.
I love your photos of Lichfield showing me so many things that I have not seen on my visits there.
I need to go back with 'new eyes'
:-)
CherryPie - Thank you so much. I need to return as I still haven't looked round the Cathedral properly!
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