travel

2 Photos: Clitheroe Castle

Every time I see the place name Clitheroe written down I read Clit Hero. I’m essentially a teenage boy in a 30 year old woman’s body. Sorry Mum.

Anyway, Jonny and I decided to have a little day out to make the most of his last day of holiday (he’s back in work tomorrow, whilst I’ve still got until Monday. Teacher perks.) We drove down to Clitheroe and had a potter around the little shops before a wander around the castle.

I had done zero research before hand so hadn’t realised that the castle museum is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can, however, still wander around the old keep so all was not lost. If I’m totally honest, it’s getting to go inside the castle that I was most looking forward to anyway.

It’s a teeny little keep on the top of a small hill in the centre of town. The views from the keep are beautiful, especially those across to Pendle Hill.

I feel like I have visited Clitheroe before as a child but not that I can remember. It’s always nice to explore somewhere I haven’t been before, especially when there’s a castle involved. Now to plot our next mini adventure (with a little more research to avoid closed attractions!)

A Bank Holiday In London

It was Jonny’s 29th birthday over the Bank Holiday weekend so I took him to London for a little birthday trip. He’s a huge David Attenborough fan so I booked tickets to the First Life Virtual Reality experience at the Natural History Museum.

We travelled down on Saturday and spent an afternoon pottering around London before the main event on Sunday. The Attenborough Virtual Reality show was beyond my expectations. With the (riduclous looking) headset on we were treated to a fully 3D show. It was genuinely brilliant.

Post show we then spent the rest of the day exploring the museum itself. If you’ve never been before I urge you to go. It is incredible! I had a fab day getting my fix of dinosaurs and creepy taxidermy. Two of my favourite things. Also, check out how excited the guy in the blue shirt is on the photo of me and the dinosaur. He was obviously loving it as much as me!

The weekend was topped off by dinner with a couple of lovely friends, and a little too much wine. Needless to say, even though we’d had a brilliant little trip, I was grateful once my broken body was finally back home on Monday evening!

Our Week In Wales

Jonny and I have never had a holiday together longer than 2 or 3 nights so it was great to spend a whole week together at the start of this month. We spent 4 nights in Tenby, followed by 3 nights in Abergavenny.

Highlights included: a whiskey distillery, castles, beautiful beaches, caves, shire horses, spotting seals on a (vomit-y boat trip) and Lord Hereford’s Knob (a hilariously named hill.

We were (mostly) lucky with the weather. On our one seriously rainy day I was a bit of a sulky child. Rain and I do not get along. Spot my grumpy rain face…

It was so lovely to get away and spend some time exploring places we’d never been before. I think we’ll definitely be heading back to Wales again at some point.

Days Out: April in Northumberland

Whilst on our camping trip we managed to explore around Northumberland a bit. It’s a wild looking county with plenty of history. Something I made sure we took advantage of!

We walked alongside Hadrian’s Wall and paid a visit to Vindolanda Roman ruins and museum. The scale of the excavations there was incredible, and a really interesting day out even for those of our friends who aren’t quite the history geeks I am.

Easter Monday was spent exploring Bamburgh Castle and its beautiful neighbouring beach. I had no idea the castle was still intact (in my head I had it confused with the ruins at Lindisfarne.) Size wise it was almost on a par with Edinburgh castle, and the views overlooking the beach from its ramparts were stunning. We even managed to squeeze in a bit of rockpooling. I definitely want to come back and explore more of this coastline along towards Seahouses and across to the Farne Islands.

On Tuesday we visited Alnwick Castle. Somewhere I was very excited to visit with its Harry Potter and Downton Abbey links! We wandered round both the castle and the adjoining gardens. The gardens were a little lacking (apparently they’re more impressive in June) but the tour around the poison garden was fascinating. I didn’t realise quite how many of the plants in our garden could kill me!

The castle itself was fantastic, with walks around the walls and a range of little musuems squeezed into the various towers. The state rooms were by far my favourite though. The decor in there was beautiful, and similar to that of our wedding reception venue which made me very excited!

Where would you recommend visiting in Northumberland if we make a trip back? Jonny’s already hoping for a trip walking Hadrian’s Wall!