The Platinum Line

Category: A walk in the past

  • Combe Down and the story of Bath Stone

    Combe Down and the story of Bath Stone

    Last week Steve, the leader of our walk in the past walking group asked us to meet at the Museum of Bath Stone. in Combe Down to the east of Bath.  I have to admit my heart sank.  After all, quarries are not the most exciting subject. When I was growing up much of Bath…

  • Two CADW sites to visit near Chepstow

    Two CADW sites to visit near Chepstow

    Carleon Roman Fort Our first outing was to Caerleon. Carleon which is just outside Newport was known as Isca by the Romans and is on the banks of the river Usk. Founded in A.D.  75 as the headquarters of the second Augustan legion. it was one of only three permanent legionary sites in Britain and…

  • The New Room Bristol and John Wesley

    The New Room Bristol and John Wesley

    Did you know Charles and John Wesley built the very first Methodist chapel here in Bristol? A lot of people visit Broadmead, the shopping district in the middle of Bristol without realising that the chapel exists.   But you can discover it opposite the Galleries shopping centre. The Horsefair entrance is close to the arcade.…

  • Walking tour of Georgian Bath

    Walking tour of Georgian Bath

    I belong to a walk in the past, history walking group and last Sunday we explored Georgian Bath.  Bath which is a UNESCO world heritage site still markets itself as a Georgian city.  In the 18th century the aristocracy flocked here to take the waters, to gamble or to find a suitable spouse.   Jane…

  • Discovering Marlborough doors

    Discovering Marlborough doors

    A while ago I came across a blog link party featuring posts about doors from all over the world. At first I thought it was a rather nerdish subject but then I became intrigued and decided to see if I could write a suitable post. The trouble was the more I looked the more difficult…

  • Bath a brief history

    Bath a brief history

    I was happy to find out that Bath would be the venue for our February walk in the past history walk.  I grew up between Bristol and Bath and my father went to school in the city so I have watched it change over the years.  Jane Austen would probably recognise the centre but there…

  • Christmas lunch at Avon Valley Railway Station

    Christmas lunch at Avon Valley Railway Station

    This year our French group decided to have Christmas lunch at Bitton railway Station. This railway was part of my childhood.  I remember sitting in boring lessons at school and watching trains pass along the line. The Avon valley railway line which was part of the Midland rail network ran from Bristol to Bath and…