Bletchley Park was the centre for British codebreaking activity during the second world war. It has been redeveloped as a museum and it's well worth a visit. You can get there by train very easily as Bletchley station is just a minute or two away. A lot of trains stop there including the slower Birmingham to London train that we caught. Bletchley Park started off as a Victorian mansion that was taken over for the war effort and working space was gradually expanded by the building of many ... continue reading...
Things To Do On The Isles of Scilly With The Kids
One of the great things about the Isles of Scilly for kids is just the lack of traffic (especially if you stay on one of the smaller islands) and the low crime rate, which means that parents are a bit happier about letting children explore on their own than usual. Add to that the fact that the islands are small enough to walk round, older children in particular can be very independent. That said, you might want some inspiration on things to do together as a family during your stay. The ... continue reading...
Aston Hall, Birmingham
Birmingham is a relatively young city and that is why only a stone's throw from the city centre, in an inner city area, you can find a enormous Jacobean mansion that was built with countryside views. There's no countryside left now apart from the park in which the hall still stands and from Aston Hall you are only a few minutes walk from another famous Birmingham landmark: Villa Park. It does take a bit of a leap of the imagination to imagine yourself back in the days when Birmingham was really ... continue reading...
A Visit To Hall’s Croft in Stratford Upon Avon
Hall's Croft was the home of Shakespeare's eldest daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr. John Hall. Dr. John Hall was wealthy and successful and it shows through in their impressive home. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased Hall’s Croft in 1949 and they restored it to open it up for visitors. Inside the house you get an insight into how a prosperous family lived in Shakespeare's time. There are also lots of displays about medicine as it was practised by Dr.John Hall. The doctor was ... continue reading...
New Place, Stratford Upon Avon
New Place was Shakespeare's family home from 1597 to 1616. It was apparently a large and pleasant house as you'd expect from Stratford Upon Avon's most successful son. Sadly some philistine decided to knock it down in 1759 in the days before listed buildings and planning permission. So we can't see Shakespeare's house at all. It is a shame that it's not there anymore, but the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have been very imaginative about bringing the place to life. The entrance to New Place ... continue reading...