The city of Gloucester has a fascinating history dating back to Roman times.
The small English city of Gloucester is justifiably proud of its long history. In the centre of town information boards give details of historical events and attractive modern mosaics on the pavements add a flavour of the past.
When we visited in early September they were celebrating Gloucester day which marks the end of the siege of Gloucester during the civil war and many people were in costume.
Continue reading “An introduction to the history of Gloucester”
Salisbury is a small city in Wiltshire just eight miles from Stone Henge. The gothic cathedral boasts the highest spire in the U.K. and the best preserved copy of Magna Carta.
Salisbury is a beautiful medieval town in Wiltshire just eight miles from Stone Henge. It is chiefly famous for its magnificent early English gothic cathedral which has the highest spire in England and the best preserved copy of Magna Carta. Continue reading “Visiting Salisbury cathedral and medieval town centre”
This week we followed the river Chew from the Chew Valley reservoir to Pensford stopping to visit the stone circle at Stanton Drew.
In a recent poll the Chew Valley reservoir came near the top of places for Bristolians to visit. However the river Chew which runs through the Chew valley and feeds the reservoir is not very well known. The Chew Valley has been in the news this weekend as a group of metal detectorists have discovered a hoard of silver coins dating back to the battle of Hastings and valued at about five million pounds.
Continue reading “Walking from Chew Magna to Pensford via Stanton Drew”
On Saturday our walking group ventured further afield to Oxford. Oxford University is famous as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe and scholars have been coming here to study since the 12th century. The town however is Saxon in origin and by 1066 it is estimated that it had a population of about 5,000 and was the sixth largest town in England.
Continue reading “Oxford for the day”
I belong to a history walking group and on Saturday we were told to meet at St. Peter’s Church in Marlborough. Marlborough is a small market town in Wiltshire about half way between Bristol and London. Most English People recognise the name because Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister Pippa attended Marlborough College a very exclusive public school. But I had no idea of the surprise we would find in the school grounds.
Continue reading “Marlborough aWiltshire town through history”
