Exploring the world, one place at a time
When I heard Hay Castle was opening its doors to the public for the first time in its history last May, it went straight to the top of my 'must visit' list. So while planning my annual new year's pilgrimmage to Hay-on-Wye to stock up on books, I made sure to add a private tour... Continue Reading →
Nestled at the bottom of a secluded part of the Aeron Valley in Ceredigion, west Wales, you'll find Llanerchaeron, a charming country estate that's home to a little known gem – an early Palladian villa by the renowned Regency architect John Nash. In 1789, Colonal William Lewes inherited Llanerchaeron, then a small country estate made... Continue Reading →
Over the summer I was working at the National Eisteddfod, the annual Welsh cultural festival that this year took place near Tregaron in west Wales. Deciding to make something of a weekend of it before I started work, I stopped off at Llandeilo in the neighbouring county of Carmarthenshire so I could spend a couple... Continue Reading →
If you've been reading my blog a while, you'll know I'm a sucker for an old ruin – be it a castle, an abbey or even a burial mound. So when I was driving through Carmarthenshire in west Wales earlier this summer and saw a sign for Talley Abbey, I made an immediate detour. I'd... Continue Reading →
Earlier this month, I paid my annual visit to Dyffryn Gardens, the delightful National Trust-run property and gardens just south of Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan. I've been really busy the last few months with one thing or another (hence no blogging) and almost completely forgot about my annual visit. But as soon as... Continue Reading →
After our walk from Llantwit Major Beach to Nash Point, we were keen to explore more of the Wales Coast Path. So at the end of September, we set off for Nash Point to continue our walk along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Our destination? Dunraven Bay, some 7km away. We began our walk at Nash... Continue Reading →
Tucked away amid some farmers' fields in the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales you'll find Old Beaupre Castle, a medieval/Elizabethan manor house that's in remarkably good nick considering it's been largely abandoned for the past 300 years. Unbelievably difficult to find, it's well worth the effort to seek out as it's the epitome of... Continue Reading →
Over the August bank holiday weekend, I was keen to spend some time by the sea, so I headed down to the south Wales coast to walk a 5km-stretch of the Wales Coast Path between the town of Llantwit Major and Nash Point Beach. Our starting point was Llantwit Major Beach, also known as Cwm... Continue Reading →
Inspired by my recent visit to the Four Falls Trail, I was keen to explore more of the Brecon Beacons' waterfall country. So when I was looking for something to do on my birthday earlier this summer, I decided a hike along the Elidir Trail would be the perfect way to spend the day. This... Continue Reading →
Back in the autumn, I ventured off on a couple of socially-distanced day trips, the first of which was to one of the most impressive and unusual castles in south-east Wales. Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire dates back to the 15th century when Sir William ap Thomas, also known as the Blue Knight of Gwent, set... Continue Reading →
Little Old World 