Andrew's Travels

Andrew's Travels

traveled in 66 countries Read more🌍Cambridge

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The Jurassic Coast Traveler
12. Lyme Regis to Seaton
April 2, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
We walk along the seafront, past the Cobb, and up a very steep ascent to join the path along the Jurassic Coast. This takes us through the Undercliff National Nature Reserve, a 7 km wilderness area that contains rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Creataceous periods. The paths are difficult in places; it is like going back in time, seeing the ferns etc. There has been a lot of tree felling to manage Ash dieback. The thick forest means that there are only occasional views of the cliffs above and the sea below.

This is a very active coastal area and there have been many landslips over the millenia that have shaped it. The most recent was in 1839 on Christmas Eve; a massive section of cliff slid seaward in an event known as the ‘Great Landslip’, causing a chasm to form behind the landslide block which is now known as Goat Island. We cross this and emerge onto fields and cross to a lane which leads to a path across a golf course. It is then a steep descent to the Axmouth Bridge over the River Ax and into Seaton.

A very different experience to other parts of the Jurassic Coast walk.Read more
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Dorset Traveler
Tolpuddle; The Martyrs' Trail
April 1, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Tolpuddle is a small village, but famous because of its association with The Tolpuddle Martyrs.

These were 6 Methodist labourers stuck in poverty in 1833 who founded a small society to protest against poor pay; this "trade union" was frowned upon by the local land owner who claimed they had sworn a secret oath together. His betrayal led to their arrest, trial by a biased judge and sentence to 7 years transportation and hard labour in Australia. People rose in their support and demonstrations led to their eventual return after a pardon; the government backed down as it transpired that a senior official's brother was in a "secret society". We now have many trade unions in the UK.

We start at the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Museum and Memorial Cottages; a statue, a row of cottages and a small museum commemorate the Martyrs. We visit the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, where the grave of one of the Martyrs is to be found, and see the Martyrs' Tree, an ancient sycamore where their secret oath is alleged to have been sworn. We pass the Martyrs' Cottage on the way to the new Methodist Chapel (1867) with its Memorial Arch (1912), now a listed monument.

An interesting excursion.Read more
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Gloucestershire Traveler
Cheltenham - Parks and Spas
March 20, 2022 in England ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
There are several parks in Cheltenham.

The Imperial Gardens are located just off the Promenade, at the rear of Cheltenham Town Hall, and are flanked by extensive Regency facades, with Regency terrace townhouses encompassing the other three sides. In the Gardens there is a signpost that points to towns which are twinned with Cheltenham worldwide, as well as a full size bronze statue of Gustav Holst as the centrepiece of a fountain surrounded by octagonal plinths depicting the planets (Holst was born in Cheltenham).

Behind the Imperial Gardens are the Montpellier Gardens and east of this is Sandford Park; this has one of the largest outdoor pools in England as well as several monuments and fountains of interest.

Heading back into town and walking north up Winchcombe Street takes us to Pittville Park; this is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features the magnificent Pittville Pump Room and two lakes. We enter via the Pittville Gates and walk through Pittville Lawn, which is flanked by beautiful Regency houses, to reach the Park; overlooking the sweeping lawns and ornamental lakes is the Pittville Pump Room, the jewel of Cheltenham’s Regency architecture and the grandest survival of the town’s many spa buildings.Read more
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Gloucestershire Traveler
Cheltenham - Town
March 20, 2022 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Cheltenham stands on the River Chelt, a tributary of the River Severn, and is a spa town (mineral springs were discovered there in 1716); it claims to be the most complete Regency town in Britain - there are tree-lined promenades and parks surrounding its several spas (these are covered in a separate post).

Starting at Royal Crescent, a terrace of 18 houses, we walk to and along the Promenade which was built at the height of the Regency Period; tree-lined and beautiful, it is flanked by the Long Gardens and contains the popular modern statue called "The Hare and the Minotaur" as well as an older statue of Edward Wilson, an Antarctic explorer, and the imposing War Memorial. At the end of the Promenade is the amazing Neptune Fountain, which was modelled on the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

This leads to the Montpellier district, now a trendy bar area with a rotunda building. Around the corner and backing onto the Imperial Gardens is Cheltenham Town Hall, an early-20th century and Grade II listed assembly rooms building; it is a public venue and not the seat of the borough council, which is housed in the nearby Municipal Offices. We pass Cheltenham College, a famous Victorian public school (English independent day and boarding school) and a number of other regency buildings on the walk round the town

Cheltenham Minster, St Mary's is the only surviving medieval building in Cheltenham, and has been in continuous use for 850 years. A short walk from this is the Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham's hub of leisure attractions, restaurants, bars and shops.Read more
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Cambridgeshire; East District Traveler
Reach and Swaffham Prior Circular
February 8, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
The ancient township of Reach, or as it was previously known Reche, has been inhabited for over 2,000 years and is situated at the termination of the Devil's Dyke earthwork; the village was the centre of considerable trade in mediaeval times and was granted a charter to hold an annual fair at Rogationtide by King John (Reach Fair continues to this day, an event attended by the Devil's Dyke Morris Men who dance there annually).

We see the village sign - each side is different - and across the village green is the Dyke's End pub; this is close to the Church of St Etheldreda which was built in 1860 on the site of the former chapel of St John - the ruined perpendicular arch of the old chapel is visible behind the new church. We leave the village and take a short detour through Reach Wood - volunteers from Reach and Swaffham Prior planted 3,200 young trees on this site in a single day as part of an initiative to create new woodland. Much to our surprise, we see an emu in a farm enclosure.

We walk up Barston Drove and turn right at the end to reach the village of Swaffham Prior; we see the village sign and the excellent Red Lion pub before reaching the twin churches that dominate the village. The Church of St Mary and the Church of St Cyriac and St Julitta have served the parish since at least the 12th century, but in 1667 an act of parliament combined the churches under a single parish. Swaffham Prior is also known for its two windmills; Fosters Windmill is still operating as a mill but the Smock Tower Mill, now a private property, is covered by scaffolding and undergoing extensive renovations for the new owner to return the mill to working order in order to generate electricity.

We leave the village and head east for a mile to reach the Devil's Dyke earthwork and walk along the top to get back to Reach. Read more
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The Thames Path Extension Traveler
Crossness Incinerator to Tripcock Ness
February 7, 2022 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Literally 200 yards from the Belvedere Incinerator built in 2012 is the Crossness Sludge Powered Generator, also futuristic with a curved chimney, which was built in 1998; they are separated by the Crossness Nature Reserve, and the building of the former so close to the latter was contentious at the time. Dried sewage sludge is burned here to generate renewable energy.

The Crossness Sludge Powered Generator is adjacent to the Crossness Sewage Treatment Works. This was opened in 1865 together with the Crossness Pumping Station as a result of the "Great Stink"; this was an event in Central London in 1858 during which the hot weather exacerbated the smell of untreated human waste and industrial effluent that was present on the banks of the River Thames - the stench from the river had become so bad that business in Parliament was affected. The Pumping Station, a Grade I listed building, is now decommissioned but still has occasional open days as a museum since it still houses the old Beam Engines that were used to pump London's sewage into a reservoir and then out to the Thames on the ebb tide! On the opposite side of the Thames we have views of the works at Ford Dagenham; car production stopped here in 2002, but engine manufacture continues.

The Thames Path now follows the riverbank with the outskirts of Thamesmead on our left; Thamesmead mainly consists of social housing built from the mid-1960s onwards on former marshland on the south bank of the River Thames on the old Royal Arsenal site that extended over Plumstead Marshes and Erith Marshes - part of the large estate was used as a location for the film "A Clockwork Orange". We see some historic cannons on the path as we proceed.

We soon reach what was a dangerous bend where the River Thames turns south-west towards Woolwich; there is a small red lighthouse here now and the promontory is known as Tripcock Ness. We also see an old pill box and have a view of the Barking Creek Barrier, a tidal flood barrier constructed in the 1980s as part of the Thames flood defence system; Barking Creek joins the River Roding in Essex to the River Thames.Read more
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The Thames Path Extension Traveler
Erith Pier to Belvedere Incinerator
February 7, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
From Crayford Ness the route leaves the river and goes along Manor Road, from Slade Green to Erith, and turns into Appold Street before reaching the Victorian Erith Pier and Pleasure Gardens; the proposed resort was shortly lived, however, due to the opening of the Southern Offall Works at Crossness in 1865 (see next post). The pier continued as an industrial ships deep water wharf until the 1950s when the modern, concrete, boomerang shaped pier was built (the longest in London).

We see the old Erith Causeway, 170m long and of historic interest (but due to be replaced soon because of its state of decay) and can look out across the Thames to Coldwater Point Lighthouse, on the side, marking the tip of Rainham Marshes in Essex, now a RSPB reserve. We walk along the path past old wharves and new wharves, with chutes and cranes for loading the ships that stop close to the several large industrial estates on our left; this is all a lot more interesting to see than it might seem! There are also many industrial sites on the other side of the Thames here.

We round a large bend in the river and pass the large modern quay where waste is collected from ships and barges for the futuristic looking Cory Riverside Resource Recovery facility (RRR), aka Belvedere Incinerator; this UK waste-to-energy incinerator site was opened in 2012 on the outskirts of Belvedere, the next town on after Erith.Read more
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Essex Traveler
Little Walden Circular
January 28, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C
Little Walden is a small village in North Essex and lies about 3 miles north of Saffron Walden, along the B1052 road that goes up to Hadstock and Linton (in South Cambs); a USAAF airfield was operational from 1942-45 - this has long since gone back to agriculture, although it is commemorated on the village sign. Little Walden is well known locally for the 18th century Crown Inn, a free house, and we have a quick look round the hamlet to see this as well as the small St John's Church, opposite Hall Farm, and the large village pond before walking north up Petts Lane.

We pass through Home Farm and on to the Grade II listed timber framed Burntwood End before following the path east towards Park Farm and then south down through Ravenstock Green Farm (it is very agricultural here); there are views over to Chesterford Research Park (biotechnology, pharmaceutical and technology R&D companies have offices and bases here).

We cross the B1052 to walk through Mitchells Farm and then east along a farm track; there are views of a windmill in the distance - Braggs Mill, near Ashdon (see Ashdon and Bartlow Circular FP entry; click on Trip - Essex). We head south now and reach Puddle Wharf Lane before heading west along the Harcamlow Way, turning off at Butler's Farm - where there is some fancy farm machinery on view - and back in the general direction of Little Walden.

It's been over 7 miles and a pleasant 3 hours walk.Read more
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Museums of Cambridge Traveler
Fitzwilliam; Gold of the Great Steppe
January 25, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
Treasures uncovered at Saka burial complexes, comprising of mounds (kurgan), in East Kazakhstan have been on display in Cambridge at the Fitzwilliam Museum; the Saka were a prehistoric nomadic warrior horse people who inhabited the northern and eastern Eurasian Steppe and the Tarim Basin and dominated this region, from the Black Sea to Siberia, from about 900BC to 200BC. This part of the world is of interest to me due to its proximity to the Silk Road (see atdtravel.wordpress.com for my blog describing this overland travel adventure).

The highlights of the "Gold of the Great Steppe" exhibition are gold artefacts found with a high-rank teenage archer discovered in 2018 at the Eleke Sazy kurgans and include status symbols such as a gold neck torc and thousands of gold shoe beads; other items found with the teenage archer included a short composite bow designed to be fired from horseback and a bronze dagger with gold sheath.

There are stylised animal artefacts on display (including a stag plaque with twisted legs, griffins and argali on cloud stands) which point to the mythological view of the world that the Saka had. The exhibition also draws attention to the importance of horses to the Saka in Steppe society, to their metal working skills in general, as well as their ability to work with natural resources, including plants and herbs.

All in all, a very pleasant morning's diversion and a reminder of an interesting part of the worldRead more
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Museums of Cambridge Traveler
Introduction to the Museums of Cambridge
January 24, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C
Together, the eight University of Cambridge Museums and Cambridge University Botanic Garden represent the UK’s highest concentration of internationally important collections outside London:

- The Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street; art and antiquities
- University Museum Of Zoology, Downing Street; scientifically important zoological material
- Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing Street; archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from around the world
- Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Free School Lane; materials related to the history of science
- Museum of Cambridge, Castle Street; Cambridge & County Folk Museum
- Scott Polar Research Institute (Polar Museum), Lensfield Road: centre for research into the polar regions and glaciology worldwide
- Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Downing Street; geology museum
- Museum of Classical Archaeology, Sidgwick Avenue; one of the few surviving collections of plaster casts of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture in the world
- Kettle's Yard, Castle Street; a house full of 20th century art alongside a contemporary art gallery
- Botanic Garden; a plant collection of over 8,000 plant species from all over the world to facilitate teaching and research

There are also other museums in Cambridge:

- David Parr House, Gwydir Street; a preserved terraced house in Cambridge, with interior decoration in the Arts and Crafts style
- The Centre for Computing History, Rene Court; a permanent public exhibition telling the story of the Information Age
- Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cheddar Street; an industrial heritage museum
- Cambridge Science Centre, Clifton Road; an interactive science museumRead more
TravelerHave you been to all of them?
1/27/22Reply
TravelerSome over the years, but having done the research I am inclined to visit the others.
1/27/22Reply
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
Spitfire: Evolution of an Icon
January 7, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
With twelve Spitfires going on display at the aircraft's "home", another visit to IWM Duxford had to be done; this exhibition, running from 27 Dec 2021 to 20 Feb 2022 in the AirSpace super hangar, traces the plane's development at the base where an RAF squadron received the first operational aircraft in 1938. It is thought to be the largest number assembled under one roof in the 21st century.

Characterised by its graceful curves, elliptical wings and the sound of its powerful Rolls Royce engine, the Spitfire has become an icon of British air history; it was active in the Battle of Britain (1940) and also in North Africa, Italy and elsewhere in Europe during the 1939-1945 conflict. The aeroplane developed over this period, with changes to the Rolls Royce Merlin engine to make it bigger and more powerful leading to modifications of the aircraft design. For example: the nose was enlarged, the tail and propellers had to be changed because of the power that the newer engines produced and new wings were developed to hold more powerful armaments (originally eight machine guns, from Mark II onwards the wings were changed and heavier cannon introduced, with it eventually being able to carry bombs).

It was extremely interesting to see these changes over time close up.Read more
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The Thames Path Extension Traveler
Crayford Ness to Erith
January 4, 2022 in England ⋅ 🌧 4 °C
The Thames Path follows the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton, South East London and is about 184 miles long; from here to Crayford Ness, 10 miles further and just beyond Erith, is considered an extension of the Thames Path - this trip is in reverse, from Crayford Ness to the Thames Barrier.

Crayford Ness is a marshland area close to where the River Darent joins the Thames; the Dartford Creek Tidal Flood Barrier here prevents high rising tides and flooding of the local area. Just beyond this confluence is the Queen II Bridge over the Thames, the Dartford Crossing. As we walk along the footpath on the flood embankment, there is saltmarsh on the river side and the marshes on the other, with views of a wind turbine and the Erith Yacht Club ahead.

We reach a small industrial estate where the Thames Path diverts from the river and along Manor Road for a mile or so to Erith.Read more
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Hertfordshire Traveler
Barkway and Reed Circular
January 3, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Barkway is an ancient village in the north corner of Hertfordshire and was listed in the Domesday Book (1086); there are many old properties along the High Street, which was part of the old London to Cambridge coaching route - as commemorated by an old Milestone and a Wagon Wash for coach wheels. There has been a church here for over 1,000 years and the current iteration, St. Mary Magdalene Church, is made of flint and stone.

After the 9 mile drive from Duxford, we park along the High Street, have a look round the sites of the village and then head out via Gas Lane to start the walk. We pass the southern edge of Earl's Wood and then across fields to a line of trees; here we divert down to the small village of Nuthampstead to see the Memorial Monument dedicated to the 398th Bomb Group outside The Woodman Inn; there was a small airfield and RAF station here during WWII. After doubling back to our route, we walk past the northern edge of Earl's Wood; further along, from the path back to Barkway High Street, we have views of the large Cokenach Estate - this now has a local cricket club established on its grounds.

We cross the High Street and follow the road for a short while before continuing along the path to Periwinkle Hill; we are not far from the RAF Barkway Mast, a reminder of the vital geographic and strategic location that Barkway once was. We soon reach the small village of Reed. The beautiful old pub there which I have visited, The Cabinet, is now in danger of being lost and part of it is being used as a small “bar, restaurant and takeaway” with the name of The Spice Cabinet..... We have a view of St Mary's Church as we leave the village, following the signs for The Hertfordshire Way back to Barkway and the end of an excellent walk.Read more
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
Hangar 5; Conservation in Action
November 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Hangar 5 is where a team of staff and volunteers work to preserve IWM Duxford's aircraft and large objects; the Conservation in Action team also look after art, artefacts, archives, photography, film, books and sound recordings. Whereas the restored aircraft in Hangar 2 are used for flying, the aircraft and objects in this hangar are maintained in their current state to prevent further deterioration.

The Handley Page Victor here is the only aircraft of its type left in the world; originally a bomber when first flown in 1959, it was upgraded to an air-to-air refuelling tanker in 1965 before being retired and flying into Duxford in 1976. The FMA Pucara here is an Argentine ground-attack aircraft that was deployed during the invasion of the Falklands in 1982; this aircraft was one of those captured. The Avro Shackleton here was built in 1955 and lost in a crash in the Peak District during operational tests in 1956 when all on board were killed. The Eurofighter Typhoon here first flew in 1997, but was decommissioned in 2006 and was moved to Duxford in 2009. The Heinkel Salamander HE162 here is a single-seat jet fighter built in 1945, one of only 7 left in the world. The Oberursel UR-2 rotary engine on display was actually used in one of the Fokker aircraft flown by Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) in WWI.

Another really interesting visit to IWM Duxford; there is so much to see here.Read more
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
Hangar 3; Air and Sea
November 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Hangar 3 is an original General Service Aircraft Shed - these are also known as Belfast Truss hangars because of their distinctive latticed Belfast Truss roofs - and now houses IWM Duxford's maritime collection of naval aircraft and boats dating from the First World War, the Second World War, helicopters from the 1950s and aircraft that served in the Falklands War.

There are many notable aircraft here, including the de Havilland DH.9 bomber from WWI, the cockpit of the A6M Zero - the most successful Japanese fighter aircraft type of the Second World War and the aircraft that would have flown against it in operations - the Grumman TBM-3 Avenger, as well as the de Havilland Sea Vixen and Hawker Sea Hunter (both with folding wings). This impressive hangar is also home to the B43 "Ole Bill" double-deck, open-top London bus; built by AEC in 1911, it was used as troop transport in WW1, with capacity for carrying 24 fully equipped infantrymen and their kit. There are also midget submarines and torpedoes on display!Read more
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
Hangar 2; Flying Aircraft
November 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Hangar 2 is where IWM flying partners use their own teams of engineers in special restoration workshops to restore, maintain and prepare privately-owned historic aircraft for flight; the museum's aircraft do not fly and are conserved to prevent future deterioration whereas the act of restoration is returning the aircraft to a complete, historically accurate flying condition using original parts where possible.

All the aircraft in this hangar are used in air shows etc; in fact, the Sally B was used in the 1990 film Memphis Belle as one of five flying B-17s needed for various film scenes, and it was used to replicate the real Memphis Belle in one scene.Read more
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
Hangar 4; Battle of Britain
November 12, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Hangar 4 is an original General Service Aircraft Shed - these are also known as Belfast Truss hangars because of their distinctive lattice Belfast Truss roofs - and now houses an exhibition that tells the story of the Second World War aerial campaign from the defeat of France through to the end of the Battle of Britian in late October 1940. It also explores Duxford's history as an operational RAF airfield from the First World War to the Cold War.

Britain's air defence during the Second World War is particularly emphasised; the Spitfire and Hurricane flown by "the few" are present, as well as a Messerschmitt Bf 109 which was flown during the Battle of Britain until forced down in Sussex due to engine failure - there are also anti-aircraft guns on display and both the Blitz and the V-1 flying bomb offensive are described.

At the back of the hall, the Cold War period is represented by a Hawker Hunter which flew at Duxford with No. 65 Squadron RAF and by a Hungarian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, a common Warsaw Pact jet fighter, as well as several other aircraft.

A fascinating visit; it was also interesting to see a party of school children being shown round by guides - I eavesdropped on one who was relating his childhood during a bombing raid at home in London and his subsequent evacuation to the Cambridge area!Read more
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
AirSpace
November 12, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
The original Hangar 1 was upgraded to a 'Superhangar' in the 1980s and then redeveloped and expanded to bring the museum's British and Commonwealth aircraft collection under cover. It was opened in July 2008, providing 12,000 m2 of floor space, consisting of an aircraft conservation area, a large exhibition hall, and a mezzanine providing views of the aircraft; over 30 aircraft are on display, dating back to the First World War.

The collection has some of the most famous aircraft in the world, featuring the Concorde (built to fly at the speed of sound), an Avro Lancaster (one of the most recognised allied bombers of the Second World War, famous for its role in the Dambusters raid), an Avro Vulcan and an Airco DH.9 (one of only six surviving DH9s and the only example on display in the UK). More recent notable aircraft include a Hawker Siddeley Harrier (which served during the Falklands War), a Panavia Tornado (which flew the highest number of bomber sorties of any Tornado in the 1991 Gulf War) and a Eurofighter Typhoon DA4.

AirSpace also houses Airborne Assault, the museum of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and airborne forces; the museum chronicles the history of British airborne forces from the Second World War to current operations in Afghanistan.

It was great to see all these iconic aircraft, go inside the Concorde and to learn about the Parachute Regiment.Read more
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Essex Traveler
Ashdon and Bartlow Circular
November 9, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
This walk starts in Ashdon in the district of Uttlesford, Essex; it is situated approx. 4 miles northeast of Saffron Walden and is very close to the Essex / Cambs border (Bartlow is in Cambridgeshire). Our route takes us out of Ashdon via Newnham Hall Farm and doglegs left and right before we reach the bridleway, where there are good views of the surrounding area; this takes us to the small village of Bartlow, the southern border of which divides it from Essex.

The path takes us through the churchyard of Bartlow St Mary's, one of only two existing round-tower churches in Cambridgeshire; it is also known for its 15th-century wall-paintings whose fragments include depictions of St Christopher, St Michael weighing souls, and St. George's Dragon. Bartlow Hills, a Roman tumuli cemetery with four remaining mounds, is nearby and we visit these; the tallest is 15 metres tall, thankfully with a walkway to the top, and is the largest barrow north of the Alps.

We are back in Essex and the route takes us through Waltons Park and Steventon End; the Hall is is next to Ashdon Place and both are beautiful private residences. There are good views back to these as we reach Ashdon Windmill (aka Bragg's Mill, William Bragg's Mill, Bartlow Hamlet Mill or Stevington End Mill); this is a grade II listed post mill, where the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery is mounted on a single vertical post, around which it can be turned to bring the sails into the wind - subsequently, the more familiar tower mill took its place.

It is then back to Ashdon; it has been an interesting 7 mile walk and the weather was beautiful today.Read more
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Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
Land Warfare Hall
November 5, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
The Land Warfare Hall was opened in 1992 by Field Marshal Lord Bramall and houses the Museum's collection of armoured vehicles, artillery and military vehicles to tell the story of the mechanisation of warfare. Walking among these was a good experience. The collection includes the three command vehicles used by Field Marshal "Monty" Montgomery, used during the Second World War in North West Europe; he was always close to the frontline and they became his office, bedroom and map room, respectively. There is an excellent film to watch called "The Normandy Experience" that describes what D-Day was like.

The Land Warfare Hall also houses the Forgotten War exhibition, opened in 1999 as a joint project between the Imperial War Museum and the Burma Star Association, to represent veterans of the Burma campaign who often consider themselves to have fought in a "Forgotten Army" compared to those who fought in Europe. There is also a display dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who served in Burma.

The Hall also accommodates the Royal Anglian Regiment Museum; formed in 1964 by the amalgamation of the three regiments of the East Anglian Brigade and the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, it covers the history of the Regiment and its predecessors, which date back to the seventeenth century, up to recent operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. In 2010, a Royal Anglian Regiment memorial was dedicated at IWM Duxford, just outside the Land Warfare Hall.Read more
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Norfolk Coastal Path Traveler
Mundesley to Cromer
October 20, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
The coastal path from Mundesley takes you through a caravan park - there are many along the coast here - on its way to the village of Trimingham. On the outskirts of the village, we pass the RAF Trimingham Air Defence Radar Station, which is shaped like a giant golf ball. We reach the parish church of St John the Baptist's Head; a life size alabaster head of the saint was kept at the church and visited by pilgrims. The church has a short, buttressed and unfinished tower.

From here, it is back to the coast to walk along the Sidestrand and Trimingham Cliffs, another Site of Scientific Interest, en route to Overstrand. This village was originally a crab fishing centre like Cromer, but it became a holiday destination for wealthy Victorians and was dubbed "the village of millionaires". We walk along the promenade there and then on to the beach for the rest of the way to Cromer.

It is a lovely stroll to Cromer and there are excellent views as we get closer. It has been another excellent walk (about 8.5 miles).Read more
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Norfolk Coastal Path Traveler
1
Mundesley Circular Walk
October 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
The coastal village of Mundesley is well known for its firm, golden sand beach. In the cliff top gardens above this is the memorial to the Bomb Disposal teams that cleared the Norfolk coast of landmines post WW2, which is next to the smallest maritime museum in the world (formerly a coast guard lookout station).

Many of the coastal villages around here have circular walks, and the Mundesley circular walk heads inland, past the golf course and follows the Paston Way as far as Gimlingham. From here, we head towards Trunch; the village is known for its 14th century, Grade I listed parish church of St Botolph as it contains a magnificent carved and painted wood font canopy (one of 4 in tbe UK), as well as a decorative hammerbeam roof.

We follow "quiet roads" as they are known here, back to Mundesley and enjoy a view of the Stow Hill tower windmill in the neighbouring village of Paston on the way.

Back in Mundesley, The Ship Inn beckons.Read more
Ant Travels Cool
10/22/21Reply
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Norfolk Coastal Path Traveler
Sea Palling to Mundesley
October 18, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Sea Palling is a small holiday resort village to the south of Cromer. The Environmental Agency has erected 9 barrier reefs here to protect the village from the North Sea, as there is a lot of coastal erosion in this area. We start our walk at the small RNLI station and take the beach walk option towards Eccles-on-sea; this was abandoned in the 17th century due to being engulfed by the sea, and now exists as the Bush Caravan Estate behind concrete sea defences.

We reach Happisburgh, which has national archaeological significance as evidence of the oldest human occupation in the UK was unearthed here in 2010. There are many groynes along the shore here to slow erosion; we pass the iconic red and white striped lighthouse - the oldest working in East Anglia - and St Mary's Church, the tall tower of which is an important landmark for sailors.

We pass Walcott, well known for its sandy beaches, to reach Bacton; there are extensive sea defences here.... The Bacton Gas Terminal is an industrial complex of 6 different supplier terminals, each receiving gas from the UK continental shelf; a scheme was undertaken here in 2019 to deposit 2 million metric tonnes of sand in front of the cliffs to form an artificial dune to protect the complex and local villages for the next 15-20 years from from further erosion.

The path continues along the beach at the bottom of Mundesley Cliffs, a site of scientific interest, to reach the RNLI Volunteer Station at Mundesley.

It has been a good walk of close to 10 miles.Read more
Wolfgang und HeidiYou are brave. 10 miles are about 18 km. But everything looks quiet flat, which makes it a nice stroll…
10/24/21Reply
TravelerYes, it was flat but some ascent to get to the cliff tops. We like coastal walks.
10/24/21Reply
1 like
Norfolk Traveler
King's Lynn
October 8, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
King's Lynn, known until 1537 and the dissolution of the monasteries as Bishop's Lynn, is a port and market town in Norfolk. It was one of England’s most important ports from as early as the 12th century, and the Hanseatic League - a powerful German trading organisation made up of merchants from North Germany and neighbouring countries around the Baltic Sea - contributed greatly to this prosperity; there are still many historic buildings, merchants' houses etc to see today.

This "Heritage Trail" walk starts at Quayside, where there is Marriott's Warehouse (a 16th century warehouse that is now a restaurant) and close by is Hanse House (the only surviving Hanseatic business HQ in England and dating from 1475). Just round the corner is the Saturday Market Place which is surrounded by King's Lynn Minster, formerly St Margaret’s Church and designated as a Minster Church in 2011 by the Bishop of Norwich, and the Town Hall and Trinity Guildhall. Back to the quay, it is a short walk to the Grade I listed and iconic Custom House and from there, walking up King Street, we pass St George's Guildhall, the largest surviving 15th century guildhall in England, to reach the huge Tuesday Market Place, a beautiful square now used as a car parking area.

The trail continues past St Nicholas' Chapel - unfortunately closed - and a Fisherfolk museum before heading back down through the modern town to reach Tower Gardens. These contain Greyfriars Tower, the last surviving significant part of a 13th century priory; it survived the Reformation because it was an essential seamark for ships. Adjacent to Tower Gardens are The Walks, a lovely walking area where the Red Mount Chapel can be found; this was a wayside chapel for pilgrims heading to the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham - it is one of only two octagonal chapels in Europe.

It has been a good visit to an interesting town.Read more
Wolfgang und HeidiYou are not in Europe anymore …
10/11/21Reply
Traveler😧
10/11/21Reply
Wolfgang und HeidiHeidi: don‘t worry Andrew. We will love our friends ever. Hope we will meet us next year !
10/11/21Reply
2 more comments
1 like
The River Great Ouse Traveler
1
4. Ely to Pope's Corner
October 8, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
As I head south from Ely, there are views of Ely Cathedral - the "ship of the fens" - looming in the distance, as well as a few houseboats on the river.

Further south, I reach Pope's Corner, the confluence of the River Cam and the River Great Ouse. This is the site of the large Fish and Duck marina; the River Great Ouse flows from here down to Earith and St Ives in Cambridgeshire and then on to Bedford and beyondRead more
Wolfgang und Heidi 👍
5/16/21Reply
2 likes
Imperial War Museum Duxford Traveler
American Air Museum
October 1, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
The American Air Museum was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 and was updated in 2014. It tells the story of American air power and its effect on the 20th century, focusing largely on World War II in Europe; this is appropriate as Duxford was known as Base 357, the headquarters of the U.S. 78th Fighter Group, and home of P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs; these aeroplanes acted as fighter escorts on the large US bombing raids over Europe and Germany. The 78th provided air cover for the Allied invasion fleet on D-Day and shot down the first German Me-262 jet aircraft.

The American Air Museum houses some of the USA’s most famous warbirds and bombers dating from World War I to the modern day including a B-17G Flying Fortress, a B-29 Superfortress named "It's Hawg Wild" and a B-52 Stratofortress. It is a really interesting hall to visit.Read more
TravelerWell done identifying the aircraft! You have taken some good photos
8/12/21Reply
2 likes

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