Category: Discovering Britain

On 12th June, our group enjoyed a fascinating visit to the historic city of St Albans, exploring its rich heritage and many notable landmarks. The day began at St Albans Cathedral, an impressive structure with origins dating back to Norman times. Its magnificent architecture, stained glass windows, and peaceful atmosphere provided an excellent introduction to the city’s long history.

From the cathedral, we visited the Abbey Gateway, a striking medieval building that once formed part of the great abbey complex. We then continued to the St Albans Clock Tower, the only surviving medieval town belfry in England, which remains a distinctive feature of the city centre.

A visit to St Albans Museum offered insights into the city’s development through the centuries, while the nearby Verulamium Museum showcased the area’s remarkable Roman heritage. The exhibits, including mosaics, pottery, and artefacts, vividly illustrated life in the ancient city of Verulamium.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a leisurely walk through Verulamium Park, taking in the lakes, open green spaces, and the remains of the Roman walls. The visit concluded with time along the bustling High Street, where historic buildings, shops, and cafés combined to create a lively and attractive atmosphere. It was an enjoyable and informative day for all participants.

Mark Thornley

Our day trip to Kingston upon Hull offered a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modern attractions. The journey began in Hull’s charming Old Town, where cobbled streets and historic buildings create a vivid sense of the city’s maritime past. Narrow alleys, traditional pubs, and Georgian architecture gave the area a welcoming character.

The next stop was the Streetlife Museum, which provides an engaging look at transport history. Vintage cars, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and recreated street scenes made the museum both educational and entertaining. Nearby, the Hull and East Riding Museum displayed impressive archaeological treasures, including Roman artefacts and prehistoric remains, offering insight into the region’s ancient past.

Lunch was enjoyed at Trinity Market, a lively indoor market filled with independent food stalls and local produce. Although, some preferred a pint and Fish and Chips at the local Wetherspoons. Afterwards, a visit to Hull Minster revealed magnificent Gothic architecture and a peaceful atmosphere.

The day concluded at The Deep, Hull’s spectacular aquarium, where sharks, rays, and colourful marine life provided a memorable ending to an enjoyable and varied day.

On 14 November, we visited Cambridge for a day of exploring its historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and unique academic atmosphere, except it was atrocious weather and threw it down with rain all day, our exploring was somewhat curtailed. However the first stop was King’s College, where the magnificent chapel dominated the scene with its soaring fan vaults and centuries-old stained glass. Standing in the courtyard, we gained a strong sense of the university’s long intellectual heritage.

From there, we walked to the Corpus Clock, an eye-catching and somewhat unsettling installation. Its grasshopper-like “Chronophage” creature dramatically marked the passage of time, drawing crowds of intrigued onlookers. A short walk further brought me to the Round Church, one of the oldest buildings in Cambridge. Its circular Norman design provided a stark contrast to the surrounding Gothic and modern structures.

Crossing the river, we paused at the Mathematical Bridge, famous for its elegant wooden engineering and the persistent myths surrounding its construction. The nearby Fitzwilliam Museum offered a rich cultural experience, with exhibits ranging from classical antiquities to European paintings, allowing for a brief but rewarding immersion in art and history.

We ended the day hurrying along the Backs to the bus, where we were able to get warm and dry off a little. 

Mark Thornley

On Monday the 6th of October, we enjoyed a delightful day trip to the picturesque town of Bakewell. The weather was pleasant, with clear skies and a mild breeze, which made exploring the town especially enjoyable.

Our first stop was the Bakewell market, where we spent time browsing the many stalls offering local produce, handmade crafts, and baked goods. The atmosphere was lively, and the friendly stallholders added to the charm of the experience.

After exploring the market, we visited the famous Original Pudding Shop, where we purchased some traditional Bakewell puddings to take home. We also stopped at the Old Cheese Shop nearby, sampling and buying a selection of locally made cheeses.

For lunch, we went to the Red Lion Inn, a cosy and welcoming pub that served hearty meals and excellent service. Following lunch, we made our way to the Old House Museum, one of Bakewell’s oldest buildings. The museum’s fascinating exhibits gave us an insight into the town’s rich history and heritage.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day, filled with good food, interesting sights, and a lovely sense of local tradition.

Mark Thornley

Our most recent excursion began aboard a beautifully restored 1946 vintage bus, whose polished chrome and distinctive character instantly set the tone for the day. From Hucknall we travelled in style, enjoying the gentle hum of the old engine as we made our way through the countryside towards Wirksworth, in truth it was quite noisy, but fun.

At Wirksworth we transferred to an atmospheric steam train, its plume of white smoke curling above the carriages as we boarded. The rhythmic chug of the locomotive and the whistle’s call brought an air of nostalgia, transporting us back to a golden age of travel. The journey offered fine views across the Derbyshire hills, made all the more enjoyable by the leisurely pace.

We were treated to a hearty full English breakfast; with eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, and toast, it was a satisfying highlight and provided the perfect opportunity to relax and chat while soaking in the traditional surroundings.

Re-boarding our vintage bus, we continued to the Crich Tramway Village. There we admired the heritage trams including a ride on the trams, an old fashioned sweet shop, ice cream and a satisfying pint in the Red Lion pub before beginning our final leg homeward, on ‘Walter’ our vintage bus. Returning to Hucknall in the ‘comfort’ of the 1946 bus completed a truly memorable day full of nostalgia, camaraderie, and timeless transport experiences.

Mark Thornley