2026 HOLIDAY

Day One - Sunday 7th June 2026 

After joining our coach party our first stop was at the northbound Gloucester services renown for its food, farm shop and planted pond to walk around. 

Barrie our Barnes coach driver then drove us to a lunchtime stop at the National Trust Berrington Hall near Leominster. With a challenging narrow gateway which he skilfully negotiated.

The house and park was created in the late 1770’s for the merchant banker and politician Thomas Harley. The house was designed by Henry Holland and the park by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown who was Hollands partner and father in law.

Over the next 250 plus years it has been owned by several families but today displays as a strong Georgian elegance with fine plastered ceilings, elegant furniture. 

We were very lucky to be at the end of an exhibition of a displayed mid 18th Century original and restored two metre wide court mantua dress . Only worn once at the court of George III on white silk and embroidered with gold thread together with a gentleman’s embroidered jacket and waistcoat , a reminder of the opulence then.

Outside was to enjoy the walled garden full of flowers and scents and walks around the 14 acre artificial lake., a lovely visit.

Then a drive  through the beautiful Shropshire countryside to the Albrighton Hall Hotel and spa near Shrewsbury set in 15 acres of landscaped grounds for our stay. 

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Chirk

The aqueduct, built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, crossing the Llangollen Valley and the River Dee, provided an industrial link from Shrewsbury to Liverpool opened to barges in 1805. This followed 10 years of design and construction on a 19 arched stone and cast iron structure. Whilst it is the longest aqueduct in Britain it is the highest example throughout the world. Alongside the canal is a towpath which has previously been used by horses. We travelled in a narrow boat after waiting for oncoming traffic (no one way signalling) across the valley about 120 feet below and thence along the canal for a mile or so before turning to return. We spent about an hour on the boat. The area was popular with canoeists.

With a width of just 12 feet, we quickly realised how expertly any barge needed to be propelled while some of our party, having decided to also walk the towpath, found meeting a pushchair was a challenge to remain dry.

.The cost of the construction was £47,000; in today’s money more than £3.5 million.

Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearoom

After our ride, it was decidedly time for lunch. Near to the barges’ mooring, we were welcomed to the Chapel Tearoom. The chapel had been used for many years and had a following in the 1970’s (the Sunday School had 33 children in 1977) before its decline and ultimate disrepair until some renovations alongside a number of short term tenants. As a tea room, across two floors of the building, the business was a few years old. We were served tea in charmingly Victorian style crockery with a generous amount of sandwiches followed by (we were on holiday) delicious deserts.

Chirk Castle

Nestled in the Marches, Chirk Castle was built in the semi-independent territory between England and Wales to initially become a fortress in 1295. At that time, it was owned by the Lordship of Chirklands. The next 240 years were turbulent. The Laws enshrined in the Wales Act 1535 banished Chirklands to determine that the castle was in Denbighshire.

The castle, which came into the possession of the National Trust in 1981, was in the ownership of the Myddleton family for some 400 years. It came through the Civil War relatively damaged while being periodically Royalist and Parliamentarian. Aspects to note were the archers’ arrow slits along with portcullis gate. After the Civil War, the castle was renovated to become the seat of the Myddleton family.

In the 18th century, the owners found profit in mines. In due course, Colonel Robert Myddleton Biddulph redesigned parts of the castle. Turning into the 20th century, a downturn of fortunes occurred as agricultural rents lessened that prompted the opening of the castle to the public while proceeds were donated to charity.

Our visit challenged some of us as the dungeon was deep and the tower represented a climb but the gardens – the work of William Eames - were well worth a visit in the sunshine and for the stunning views over some miles around.

Chester on Tuesday

A bright and sunny day, enlivened by a chilly breeze, saw us in Chester.  A tour of the cathedral had been arranged for us. Built of red sandstone it stands modestly in the centre of the city.  Our guide was very knowledgeable and very enthusiastic.  If only one could remember even half of what one was told!

Wonderfully at the same time there was an exhibition of “panels” - tapestry, embroidery, every kind of needlework you can think of.  Each panel measured a couple of metres square and all had been imagined, designed and worked by one woman.  The first panel depicted the start of creation, the darkness separated from light, through Abraham, Moses and the prophets to the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, on through scenes from the book of Revelation, to Armageddon and finally a new world. This can only be a glimpse of this amazing work.

Wednesday Visits to The Dingle Garden and Powis Castle

On Wednesday 10th June, we started with a brief visit to The Dingle Garden in Shrewsbury. This is a delightful sunken garden in a park in Shrewsbury, with a small lake surround by well stocked borders, as we entered the park we also saw Percy Throwers old house, Percy was famous for being the original presenter of Gardeners World and was also Superintendent of Shrewsbury Parks Department. Several members also visited

an interesting round Church opposite.

We then continued onto Powis Castle which is situated west of Shrewsbury in Wales, the castle which is perched on a rocky sandstone ridge dates back to the medieval times and is one of Wales great castles and also a comfortable aristocratic residence in more recent times, having been besieged during the Civil war and captured by the Parliamentarians. We were given an excellent introductory talk and although work in refurbishing a number of areas of the castle was still going on there were some very interesting highlights including the Long Gallery and the Clive of India collection which is the most extensive collection in the country.

Also a real highlight of Powis Castle are the Italianate Gardens which are terraced below one side of the castle leading down to a very large croquet lawn and a large level formal garden. There is also a lake to one side and woods to the rear. The gardens are beautiful and I was extremely impressed by how well they were both planted and cared for, there are exotic planting of Palm trees, Bananas, etc as well as Herbaceous borders and formal Rose borders. These are tended by only 6 full time Gardeners, 1 part time and 2 Volunteer Gardeners and I cannot remember being as impressed by any gardens as much as these. It was a great pity that we could not spend longer there and should be on everyone’s gardens to visit.

Thursday - Homeward Bound

The rain that had been promised all week finally arrived for a wet drive home but a visit to Cadbury World had been arranged to break the journey.

We had a timed entry fitted in among throngs of schoolchildren so, looking rather out of place, we worked our way through the 'jungle' and 'streets of bygone times' learning about the history of chocolate. and eventually making our way to the perhaps more interesting museum. It was certainly an experience and there was the bonus of some free chocolate to bring away.