Coniston, St Bees, Witley Court, and Avoncroft

September 17 - 25, 2019

We arrived in the UK just in time for the Silk Route Network meeting. We are members of the overland travel group.They meet annually for several days at a campsite near Malvern. It was great fun to meet up with everyone again. We missed last year so there was a lot of catching up to do. We enjoyed presentations from memberers on their recent trips. After the meeting Bill and I headed out to visit more of England.

Coniston - a small village in the Lakes District. We parked up at the sports center for the night.

We took a hike to Tarn Hows. Most paths in England are on right-of-ways through pastures.

View of Yewdale Valley

Tarn Hows

View along the path heading back toward Coniston.

I've always thought that!

20+ years ago we walked the Coast to Coast, a 190 mile path through beautiful country side. We thought a visit to the beginning of the walk would be nice. We took a day hike. It was a much better walk. When we did it before it was pouring down rain.

St Bees - the starting point of the walk.

Path along St Bees Head.

The walk passes through lots of pastures full of sheep.

The sheep keep a watchful eye on you, but never get close.

We took a hike along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. This section is known for all the locks, about 30 sets. They are all manually operated by the boat owners as they pass through. It is a lot of work.

Narrow canal boats parked up for Sunday roast at the Queen's Head Inn. Their reward after passing through all the locks.

Witley Court - a ruin. It was destroyed in a fire on September 7, 1937.

View of a garden at Witley Court.

Another view of  Witley Court

The chapel adjoining Witley Court was not destroyed in the fire. The church interior is decorated the same as the mansion was.

Threshing barn from the 12th century at Avoncroft-museum of buildings.

Avoncroft

The museum also has a collection of telephone kiosks.

Avoncroft