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A 268-day adventure by Andrew's Travels Read more
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  • Trip start
    February 7, 2020
    Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler

    Brighton; Seafront

    February 7, 2020 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    This trip was with a group of friends based at my local pub - a lads weekend away! It was the first time I have ever been to Brighton in my life and the town did not disappoint - it is a marvellous place and I will definitely return to repeat the urban ramble with Helen and to see things that were missed.

    After a good journey down by car we decided to all go the sea front. First we went to the British Airways i360 viewing tower; this needle like structure was opened as recently as 2016 - normally the "flights" have to be reserved in advance, but no problem with that in early Feb! Lots of good information about how it was built (from the top down!) and excellent views as the cabin ascends to the top. Well recommended.

    Then a walk along the esplanade seeing the various sites - the "Birdcage" Bandstand,, the upside-down house, the remains of the West Pier, the pier arches creative quarter, the fishing museum - until reaching the Palace Pier.

    A great afternoon - thirsty work....    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler

    Brighton; Urban Ramble, part 1

    February 8, 2020 in England ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Three of us set off for first part of this "figure of eight" shaped urban ramble based centrally.

    We passed the clock tower on our way up to Brighton Station to start the walk. Walking down Camden Terrace,, a twitten (local dialect for an alleyway), we proceeded to St Nicholas's Church which is the oldest surviving building in Brighton. Another twiten led us to the Montpelier district of the town - lots of classical and Recency architecture here, with Montpelier Crescent (Amon Henry) being the highlight of the area. Crossing the St Ann's Well Gardens, where Brighton's reputation as a health spa began due to the natural spring there being a source of particularly good spring water, we strolled down to the wonderful green expanse of Brunswick Square.

    Proceeding along the seafront - see earlier post - we turned left at the Palace Pier and passed the Old Steine Gardens to walk through the Lanes, a quirky and colourful area with lots of interesting shops. Next we walked through the Cultural Quarter which includes the Brighton Dome, the Museum and, of course, the Royal Pavilion. Designed by John Nash, the palace here has an Indo-Islamic appearance on the outside (very Silk Road); the interior is saved for my next visit to Brighton,    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler
    1

    Brighton; Urban Ramble, part 2

    February 8, 2020 in England ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Only two of us for the second and more strenuous half of the walk which takes us up the valley via Richmond Heights to the "Pepperpot", the last remaining element of an Itaianate villa. Passing through the lovely Queens Park, we proceeded up Whitehawk Hill to the aerial mast and then past Brighton Racecourse, one of only two horseshoe shaped courses in the UK (the other, Epsom, does not form a complete circuit either).

    Passing through a tunnel under the racecourse, we walked downhill along the Tenantry Down Allotments to the Brighton Cemetery, way more interesting than you might think! Then it was downhill to The Level, a restored park area where two streams converge, past St Peter's Church and back to the hotel.

    Brighton is a wonderful place and I look forward to returning.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler

    Chichester

    September 17, 2020 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Originally an old Roman town, Chichester is now a cathedral city. The thick Roman walls have been replaced by thinner medieval walls built on their foundations.

    Formerly kown as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Chichester Cathedral was established in 1075. It has a beautiful interior and a guide pointed out the Arundel Tomb to us; this is unusual as there are two figures lying side by side - the Earl of Arundel and his second wife, Eleanor - and is commemorated in a famous Philip Larkin poem. There are also Roman mosaic remains on view in the cathedral. We explore the Bishop's Garden before walking to the city centre.

    Here, the Roman nature of the city is further confirmed by the NS and WE roads from the city gates meeting; the Chichester Cross now stands at this central point - this is where the market used to be held.

    Rejoining the city walls we reach Priory Park which houses the remains of Chichester Castle; originally built in 1154 only the motte remains today. Close to it is the Guildhall, a fine example of 13th century architecture (apparently).    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler
    Medieval period; Hangleton flint cottage, 13th century
    Tudor period; Bayleaf farmhouse, Chiddingstone, 1540Stuart period farmhouse; Pendean, Midhurst, 1609Geogian preiod; Tindall's Cottage, Ticehurst, 1725

    Weald and Downland Living Museum

    September 18, 2020 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Stopping here on our journey to Midhurst, we find a large site covering 40 acres and surrounded by beautiful South Downs countryside. The Living Museum has over 50 historic buildings from South East England that were all threatened with destruction and have been dismantled, conserved and rebuilt in their historical context.

    We see houses from many periods, old stables, a working woodyard, a market square area and a craft and industries section. Not forgetting the modern Downland Gridshell, a lightweight structure made of oak laths.

    The Living Museum is also the venue for a popular BBC2 programme, "The Repair Shop", in which a team of conservators breath new life into old household treasures that viewers bring in for their consideration, comment and possible rejuvenation.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler

    Midhurst

    September 19, 2020 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    A random choice of a central place to stay close to the Living Museum turns out to be a stroke of good fortune. The market town of Midhurst is very much still a Tudor town; it lies on the River Rother and is an extremely interesting place to visit.

    Within a short walk of the town centre is Cowdray House; albeit in ruins, it was one of England's great Tudor houses but destroyed by an unfortunate accident in 1793. Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth both stayed there as monarchs.

    Carrying on with our town walk, we climb up St Anne's Hill to see the foundations of St Anne's Castle, all that remain now; the castle was originally a Norman earth and timber ringwork fortress that was converted to a stone and mortar manor house in 1160. South Pond, as it is known locally now, was originally the castle fishpond.

    Walking north into the town from the pond, we see the Anglican Church of St Mary Magdalene and St Denys.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsSussexTraveler

    South Downs National Park; Midhurst area

    September 19, 2020 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    The New Lipchis Way is a walking trail that links Chichester Harbour, a large natural harbour area south west of Chichester, with Liphook, a large village in East Hamphire. It passes through the heart of the South Downs National Park, including Midhurst where we link up with it as it passes through a pretty section of the Rother Valley. We join at the weir and follow the route along the river through Woolbeding Parkland to a bridge, where we cross and follow the river north. We pass Stedham Mill and the magnificent Stedham House. We leave this trail at Iping and cross the A272 to get to Iping and Stedham Common, where we link up with the next trail.

    The Serpent Trail is appropriately named; it runs from Petersfield to Haslemere; 11 miles apart as the crow flies, yet the trail is 64 miles long! The Common is managed sandy heathland and we cross it to reach Woolmer Bridge where we pass through the Severals Woods en route to Midhurst. Next morning, we pick up the trail across Midhurst Common and then follow Pitsham Lane to Cocking Causeway. Here we see a large obelisk, which turns out to be a memorial to Richard Cobden; he was born locally and as a Victorian MP, reformer and statesman was involved with the Corn Laws. The memorial states "Free Trade, Peace, Goodwill Among Nations" - still topical. We carry on down Dunford Hollow and reach the neglected Dunford House - this was built by the same Richard Cobden and gifted by him to the YMCA Charity on condition it was used for educational purposes. It is now, controversially, up for sale..... We leave the Serpent Trail after walking along the Goldbslls Plantation and proceed back to Midhurst - this is with the New Lipchis Trail again - along the outskirts of the Cowdray Estate.    Read more

    Trip end
    October 31, 2020
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