Category Archives: West Country

West Country Area

City of Bath – Somerset, England

2016 / Jan / 05UK, West CountryBath, SomersetGiordana Matmos

The Pulteney Bridge, Avon River

City of Bath

Somerset, England

In the South West England, there is a town that is too pretty for words. It was founded in the 1st century AD by the Romans as a thermal spa (Aquae Sulis) and thus renamed Bath.

It’s current form started in the 18th century, under in King George III. We must give thanks to the hard and inspired minds of John Woods the elder (1704-1754) and the younger (1728-1782), and their interpretation of Andrea Palladio’s (1508-1580) concept of picturesque aestheticism. We now see the seamless integration of the The Roman Baths and temple complex, the remains of the city of Aquae Sulis, and the more modern English City.

Other architects and visionaries responsible for overall city landscape were Robert Adam , Thomas Baldwin and John Palmer.

Bath is also a must place to visit for any Jane Austen admirer 🙂

(above photo Royal Crescent © Christina West)

(above photo Palladian Bridge at Prior Park © VT Professor)

This Palladian bridge in the Prior Park Landscape Garden was built in 1755, and it is one of only four in the world. is set into a sweeping valley with magnificent views of the city of Bath.

(above photo The Circus © Robert C)

From ‘Obsession: John Wood and the Creation of Georgian Bath’, 2004, pp95-98).

The (originally ‘Kings’) Circus (South Eastern Section – c1762-6) bathed in the late October sun of 2007, one of the best autums I can remember. As ever, the play of light across the beautiful Bath stone allows this shot to become magical! (Best viewed large size.)It has been pointed out that the Circus was originally devoid of any plants or grass, being a circle of cobbles, since Wood intended the link to nature to be a direct one-to-one relationship between the architecture and its symbolism and the open skies above – ‘a dramatic and theatrical space where the architecture took centre stage’. Wood believed that there had always existed a temple to the Sun and Moon on Lansdown hill and the Circus was to be his recreation of a temple of the Sun, with the Royal Cresent the reborn temple of the crescent moon! As such the Circus is the same internal diameter (318′) as Stone Henge, itself an ancient temple of the sun.

(above photo The circus © Adrian Sparrow)

(above photo The Circus © Andy Clist)

(above photo Temple of Sulis Minerva Roman Baths © Andrew Cameron)

Avebury Ring – Wiltshire, England

2016 / Jan / 04UK, West CountryAvebury, Megaliths, National Trust, Neolithic, WiltshireGiordana Matmos

(above photo © Joe Dunckley)

Avebury Ring

Wiltshire, England
National Trust website
Event Calendar
http://www.avebury-stones.co.uk/

coordinates 51.4275131,-1.8549353

We gathered together outside the stone ring at Avebury – it is the world’s oldest dating from between 2,500-2,600 BC)and one of the largest with a diameter of 331.6m – to experience a bit of druid magic. Surprisingly enough, we did.

Equipped with copper divining rods (on loan) and open minds we began the circuit allowing our steps to be guided by touch, ley lines and gravitational pull. The divining rods did rotate in our hands and quietly and surely guided us. Most interestingly, it seems the sheep are also guided by the same forces! Invariable the rods would cross as we reached the matted down depressions, where one of our furry friends had bedded down (or in some cases recently quickly vacated at our approach!)

(above photo © Kronsteen)

(above photo © Jon Morris-Smith)

The rings symbolize an ancient power. These megalithic monuments making it up are of an age with the Pyramids at Giza – and represent another engineering feet. There were originally 98 sarsen (sandstone blocks) standing stones, some weighting up to 40 tons and heights varying between 3 and 4.2 meters (10 & 13 ft.) The moving and standing of these mammoth stones required a level of cooperation that to erect that still mystifies to this day. If you find yourself anywhere near the ring – even if it is just as a country outing – it is worth the time 🙂

(above photo South Circle stones 103, 102, 101 & 105 and the Tower of St James church © Jim Champion)

(above photo The Cove, which is the remains of the northern inner circle © Steve Watson)

(above photo The Cove, which is the remains of the northern inner circle © Robert C)

Nearby is Silbury Hill which is the largest man-made mound in old Europe

(above photo Silbury Hill © Martin Avtost)

Longleat – Wiltshire, England

2009 / Oct / 07UK, West CountrySightseeng, Somerset, Wiltshire, ZooGiordana Matmos

(above photo © Steve – jetbluestone)

Longleat

(44) 0 198 – 584 5420
(44) 0 198 – 584 4400
Longleat, Warminster,
Wiltshire, BA12 7NW England

www.longleat.co.uk

LONGLEAT HOUSE OPEN HOURS:
10:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Thursday
10:00am – 5:30pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

SAFARI OPEN HOURS:
10:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Thursday
10:00am – 5:00pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

14th February- 22nd February, Open daily
28th February- 29th March, Weekends only
4th April – 1st November, Open daily

Set deep beyond the forests edge, past the rolloing lawns is Longleat House, one Britain’s most beautiful and stately homes and among the best examples of High Elizabethan architecture. The first private residence to open its enormous doors to the public, Longleat is located near the towns of Warminster in Wiltshire and Frome in Somerset. Built by Sir John Thynne, mainly designed by Robert Smythson, in 1580, Longleat recalls countless storybooks and postcards. It is now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, a direct descendant of Sir John Thynne, who is an artist, mural painter and sponsor to many aspiring artists.

Longleat House is set within 900 acres (400 hectares) of magnificent Capability Brown landscaped parkland. A further 8,000 acres (3,200 hectares) of woodland, lakes and farmland surround the estate! In the late 13th Century, a priory belonging to the Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine occupied the site where Longleat House now stands.

As you enter the property during spring, the road is bordered by a most beautiful garden of rhododendrons blooming in every colour. There are many different activities to partake in, including the House tour, Longleat Hedge Maze, the Safari Animal park, Safari Boat ride, Longleat Railway, Grounds & Garden Walks. The Library is also quite expansive, where books range from early medieval manuscripts to 19th and 20th-century children’s tales- much like air Longleat itself!

(above photo giraffe © Steve Williams)

Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, England

2009 / Aug / 03UK, West CountryMagic, Sightseeing, Somerset, UKGiordana Matmos

path to the Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor

Somerset, England

Just hearing the name- Glastonbury- brings images to mind: Arthurian England and Avalon, magical druids, hordes of young people covered in mud listening to music. In life, Glastonbury Tor truly is a magical place. There is a reason that all these iconographic legends are attached to it. When we caught our first glimpse of the Tor; we were struck by its perfection. It appears as a hallucination, something too wonderfully perfect to be real.

As we climbed toward the tower on top of Holly Hill, I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of thousands of feet that have trod the same path over thousands of years. Arthur trod here; for as long as man has been in England, he has walked these paths. Saxon kings, Roman centurions, me.

The famous little town (10,,000 people) of Glastonbury is a bit hippie touristic these days. What we did, and highly recommend, is to stop in and grab a picnic from the many organic food vendors who line the streets. Definitely walk! Walk to the top of the High Street, make a right behind the abbey (duck in the back gate for a cute little garden and follow the signs up the back path towards the Tor.

We went totally hippie and brought divining rods (thanks Zoe!)- and I tell you they work! It was amazing to watch them cross as we transgressed the ley lines and power spots. One thing I found quite interesting, though in retrospect quite obvious, is that wherever I found a trampled oval from a resting sheep- I would invariably find a power spot where my rods would cross as fast as if someone grabbed them while in my hands! If you didn’t bring a pair, grab one in any of the shops and head out to do some magic yourself – your in Avalon!

King John’s Hunting Lodge Tea House – Lacock Wiltshire, UK

2009 / Jul / 31UK, West CountryFood, Somerset, Sweets, Tea, UKGiordana Matmos

King John’s Hunting Lodge

Tea Room
(44) (0) 124 – 973 0313
21 Church Street
Lacock, Wiltshire, SN15 2LB
England

www.kingjohnslodge.2day.ws.

OPEN HOURS:
11:00am – 5:30ish pm Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

In the über picturesque village of Lacock, in a tiny Tudor building (1167 – 1216), behind a garden of poppies and wild flowers, sits the lovely King John’s Hunting Lodge Tea House.

Arriving along the ancient lane, you float through the gate and garden. Soaking in the pure Englishness of the scene. Pitched roofs, dripping windows, muted brick and bright flowers set the scene for an excellent spot of tea.

Our arrival on a cool early spring day, gave us an idea of how important these warm homey spots were. Brushing off the chill we soaked up the warm ambiance. Once settled, we indulged in the “King John’s Royal Tea”, which included delectable Tea sandwiches (A yummy Welsh Rarebit for me – wish I had one now!) & warm scones served with local fruit jams and organic Jersey clotted cream.

We spread it on everything we could! Of all the scones and jams I’ve had, this sitting raised the bar yet again. Looking at the origins, I could see this being the perfect calorie filled breakfast for farmers setting out for a day’s labor.

A lighter version is the “Margart’s Cream Tea” which is the same, without the sandwiches. Pretty blue and white china bore all the treats in a manor befitting the period-ness of Lacock

A daily menu includes soups, homemade breads, delicious pastries, mackerel cakes and more! There is a fine selection of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, spiced apple, elderflower presse, hot berry bliss … and a little shop for take away.

Really just a pleasant place to lunch – thoroughly English 🙂

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Category Archives: West Country

City of Bath – Somerset, England

The Pulteney Bridge, Avon River

City of Bath

(above photo Royal Crescent © Christina West)

(above photo Palladian Bridge at Prior Park © VT Professor)

(above photo The Circus © Robert C)

(above photo The circus © Adrian Sparrow)

(above photo The Circus © Andy Clist)

(above photo The Circus © Andy Clist)

(above photo Temple of Sulis Minerva Roman Baths © Andrew Cameron)

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Avebury Ring – Wiltshire, England

(above photo © Joe Dunckley)

Avebury Ring

(above photo © Kronsteen)

(above photo © Jon Morris-Smith)

(above photo South Circle stones 103, 102, 101 & 105 and the Tower of St James church © Jim Champion)

(above photo The Cove, which is the remains of the northern inner circle © Steve Watson)

(above photo The Cove, which is the remains of the northern inner circle © Robert C)

(above photo Silbury Hill © Martin Avtost)

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Longleat – Wiltshire, England

(above photo © Steve – jetbluestone)

Longleat

LONGLEAT HOUSE OPEN HOURS:
10:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Thursday
10:00am – 5:30pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

SAFARI OPEN HOURS:
10:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Thursday
10:00am – 5:00pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

14th February- 22nd February, Open daily
28th February- 29th March, Weekends only
4th April – 1st November, Open daily

(above photo giraffe © Steve Williams)

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Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, England

Glastonbury Tor

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King John’s Hunting Lodge Tea House – Lacock Wiltshire, UK

King John’s Hunting Lodge

OPEN HOURS:
11:00am – 5:30ish pm Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

(above photo © Hiro Nakamura )

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City of Bath

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Avebury Ring

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Longleat

LONGLEAT HOUSE OPEN HOURS: 10:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Thursday 10:00am – 5:30pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

SAFARI OPEN HOURS: 10:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Thursday 10:00am – 5:00pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

14th February- 22nd February, Open daily 28th February- 29th March, Weekends only 4th April – 1st November, Open daily

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Glastonbury Tor

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King John’s Hunting Lodge

OPEN HOURS: 11:00am – 5:30ish pm Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

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Like this:

LONGLEAT HOUSE OPEN HOURS:
10:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Thursday
10:00am – 5:30pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

SAFARI OPEN HOURS:
10:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Thursday
10:00am – 5:00pm Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

14th February- 22nd February, Open daily
28th February- 29th March, Weekends only
4th April – 1st November, Open daily

OPEN HOURS:
11:00am – 5:30ish pm Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays