The Friday was a lovely day - warm and sunny and no need for a jacket or jumper :)
First of all a photo of the Herefordshire Oak - looking lovely in its late Spring leaves :)
These pansies we planted in a pot have been flowering for weeks.
The garden
Summer must be coming thinks Timothy as he sees the sunshade make an appearance :)
We had thought of going to Kyre Park for a walk but then B suggested Croft Castle which is only about 30 minutes away.
The Croft family have lived at the castle since the Norman Conquest apart from a gap of 177 years.
B was keen to try and do the Fishpool Valley walk - last time we tried to find it by going uphill and across country we got lost! The valley was originally landscaped by Thomas Johnes II in the late 18th or possibly 19th century. It has a history of light industry such as wood-fired lime kilns, charcoal burning and quarries. Fishpool Valley is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to the protected native White-clawed Crayfish in the valley ponds. In 2017 the National Trust began to restore the valley back to its "Picturesque" origins.
This time we set off back down the entrance road where we had seen a path which led down to the valley.
Found it this time!
Can you spot the face in the tree?
It was a very picturesque walk through woods and past spring-fed pools. We only saw about 4 other people the whole time.
The late 18th century "Gothic" style Pump House which was built to pump water up to the castle was in advance of its time and has now been fully restored.
This I think is one of the quarries.
We could have carried on the walk a little further but decided to climb up the path back towards the castle grounds to have lunch in the car.
The Visitor Centre has a "living roof".
The final part of the latest Herefordshire posts will include a trip to the Kitchen Garden and Mortimer connections with the castle.
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330. (If anyone ever wishes to use one of my photos I would be grateful if they could please email me first - thanks).
Reference: National Trust Croft Castle Guidebook
7 comments:
What a lovely walk and you almost had it all to yourselves as well.
I have been gardening but steady rain drove me indoors, along with the builder, who is now getting all the old wall tiles off in the kitchen so I am hiding upstairs!
Bovey Belle - Thanks so much. A lovely walk we will certain repeart :)
You have my sympathies. When we bought the house OH removed all the old kitchen and bathroom tiles to replace. What a mess - plaster dust got everywhere. I've said to him if we ever get round to replacing our kitchen which desperately needs doing we will make do with present tiles!!!!!!!!
Very pretty area to walk around. That little bear gets around, might feature might in the next church I visit
you really are spoiled for choice of places to visit. Pansies are such generous givers. Happy to see Timothy getting out and about now. Did you know there's a name for seeing things, such as faces in trees? It's xalled pareidolia/paradolia {not sure which spelling is correct}
Billy Blue Eyes - Thanks so much. Look forward to the little bear :)
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. One of things I love about Herfordshire there is always so much to see and do. Timothy waves to Teasure. Yes I think I saw that name somewhere perhaps on Twitter. It was B who spotted it.
There are some lovely walks around Croft Castle. You had the perfect weather for a walk.
CherryPie - Thanks yes the place is super!
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