The weather forecast was good so we planned a visit to Upton House and Gardens near Banbury in Warwickshire. Arriving around 2.00 p.m. on a glorious summer's day the main car parks were already full but we were directed to an overflow parking area in a field which was only a short walk from the entrance …
I'd seen an article in a magazine about the Mottisfont Rose Garden and how beautiful it was in mid-summer so one sunny day we decided to visit. The garden is in Hampshire and on our way we stopped in Andover for an early lunch and a little look around the market town. Andover is located …
It was another warm, sunny morning so after breakfast we took the metro to Gyeongbokgung station so that we could visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. As we had purchased a book of tickets the previous day covering all of Seoul's palaces we did not need to visit the ticket office. We had arrived at 9.20 a.m. in …
Continue reading Day 6. Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Royal Guard Change, Seoul
We opened the curtains to clear blue skies and sun pouring into our room which was such a contrast from the previous two days. After enjoying a leisurely hotel breakfast we took the metro to Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 3 so that we could visit the two royal palaces located near there. Soon we …
Continue reading Day 4. A visit to Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces, Seoul
We woke to the sound of heavy rain beating against the windows and on checking the forecast it seemed to be set in for the day. Breakfast was again tasty with some different hot dishes from the previous morning. I spotted some cream of mushroom soup which isn't something I would usually have for breakfast …
Continue reading Day 3. Learning about Korean history in Seoul
Stoke-on-Trent doesn't always spring to mind for a short break in the U.K. but reading about its industrial heritage as the world capital of ceramics tempted us to spend a few days exploring the city. Stoke is located midway between Manchester and Birmingham and has direct rail services to London taking only 90 minutes. In …
Continue reading Day 1. Visiting The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent
I've always enjoyed woodland walks and when it was suggested that we visit an arboretum I was eager to explore Thorp Perrow Arboretum, which boasts one of the largest collections of trees and shrubs in the north of England. These include the national collection of Ash, Lime, Laburnum, Walnut and Cotinus. The Arboretum is located …
Continue reading A visit to Thorp Perrow in the Yorkshire Dales
What better way to lift our spirits on a dark, damp evening than with a visit to the RHS Garden Harlow Carr to view their Glow Illuminations. It's the first year that lights have been installed in the gardens, and as we have visited Harlow Carr on numerous occasions in daylight we were eager to view …
Continue reading An evening at the RHS Harlow Carr Glow Winter Illuminations
