2011 Herefordshire & Worcestershire Signpost Magazine

The UltimateThe UltimateAnnual CountyAnnual County

GuideGuide

Herefordshire &Worcestershire

Historic Houses | Festivals | Town GuidesEnvironment & Transport | Gardens | Attractions | Tourist Attractions

www.countysignpost.co.uk

Issue 9 - 2011Issue 9 - 2011

download our freeiPhone and Android apps.

Set in rural Herefordshire our beautiful andhistoric estate invites you to enjoy:

Award-winning café with freshly prepared home-cooked food from our own gardens and farm

A selection of delicious white, rosé and sparkling winesfrom our own vineyard

Our glorious gardens including a David Austin rosegarden and working walled garden

Bespoke packages for coach parties and other groups including guided tours, talks and wine tasting

Bowley Lane, Bodenham, Herefordshire HR1 3LG

WORCESTERPORCELAIN MUSEUM

250 YEARSOF WORLD CLASS

HISTORYTake a journey through time with our free audio tour

and mix with past Royal Worcester Artists who regularly work in our galleries. Special ‘Behind the Scenes Visits’

and refreshments are available to groups.

WORCESTER PORCELAIN MUSEUMSevern Street, Worcester, WR1 2ND Telephone: 01905 21247

Email: [email protected]: www.worcesterporcelainmuseum.org

CONTENTS

Signpost - page 1

Published by: County Signpost LtdEditor: Adam Davison

Gardens

Festivals & Shows

Museums

Attractions

Historic buildings

Welcome to the 2011 edition of Herefordshire& Worcestershire Signpost, your indispensableguide to the best tourist attractions and days outthe county has to offer.

We hope that you find our guide, a pleasure toread, both interesting and informative, and thatyou will take it away with you, to use again andagain.

We offer a taster of the visitor attractions andevents within the County, for both locals andthose who wish to visit from afar.

We are always interested to receiveWe are always interested to receiveyour comments and suggestions foryour comments and suggestions forfuture features - please contact thefuture features - please contact theeditor at the email address below.editor at the email address below.

County Signpost LtdCounty Signpost Ltd01743 87409801743 874098

[email protected]@countysignpost.co.uk

For a free download please visitour new map-driven,

online magazine websitewww.countysignpost.co.uk

Please mentionPlease mentionSignpost whenSignpost when

visiting any of thevisiting any of theattractions.attractions.

All material in this magazine is, as far as we are aware, cor-rect at the time of printing. County Signpost Ltd does notaccept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies whichslipped through. Copyright County Signpost Ltd 2011.No part of this magazine may be used orreproduced without the written permission of thepublisher.

Go to your phoneʼs app storeto download our new, freeCounty Signpost app !

Berrington Hall - National TrustBroadfield CourtBrobury House and GardenBrockhampton Estate - National TrustCider MuseumCroft Castle - National TrustCwmmau Farmhouse - National TrustEastnor CastleHampton CourtHay FestivalHellensHereford CathedralHergest Croft GardensHolme LacyHow Caple CourtLudlow FestivalMickey Millers Maze & PlaybarnMoors MeadowSevern Valley RailwayShipley GardensShortwood Family FarmSmall Breeds Farm Park & Owl CentreThe Gardens at BannutWeir Garden - National TrustWestonbury Mill Water GardensWestons CiderWilton CastleWoodyard Gallery

Signpost - page 3

HEREFORDSHIRE KEY

D3D4B5E3D5C3A4F5D4A5E6D5A3D5E6D1C1E3F1D5D4A4F3C5B3E6E6D1

Map reference

Arley ArboretumArrow Valley Country ParkAvoncroft Museum of Historic BuildingsBennetts Farm ParkBewdley MuseumBodenham ArboretumBrockhampton Estate - National TrustCroome Park - National TrustDavid Austin RosesEastgrove Cottage Garden NurseryElgar Birthplace MuseumForge Mill Needle MuseumGoodrich Castle - English HeritageGreyfrairsHanbury HallHarvington HallMalvern Hills AONBRiver Severn CruisesRosedene CottageRoyal Worcester Visitor CentreSevern Valley RailwaySpetchley Park GardensThree Counties ShowgroundWitley CourtWest Midland Safari & Leisure ParkWorcester City & Art GalleryWorcestershire County MuseumWorcester Porcelain MuseumWye Valley Butterfly Zoo

WORCESTERSHIRE KEY

Signpost - page 5

C2E4D4C5C3C3A5D6D1C4C5E4A8C5E4D4

B5-B7C5E4C5

C3-B2D5C6C4C3C5C3C5A8

Map reference

Signpost - page 6 Signpost - page 7

THE NATIONAL TRUST

Discover the delights of Herefordshire andWorcestershire on a visit to a National Trustproperty. From grand homes set in extensiveparkland, to peaceful walled gardens and beauti-ful open countryside, there is something to suitevery taste.

Enjoy a gentle stroll through the restored land-scape at Croome Park, tackle a longer walk in theparkland at Croft Castle, discover fascinatingstories at Berrington Hall and try your hand atbowls at Hanbury Hall. Round off your visitwith a well deserved break in one of our delight-ful tea-rooms to savour the taste of fresh localfood.

Berrington Hall, nearLeominster

Located on the border of Shropshire andHerefordshire, Berrington Hall boasts beautifulinteriors, servants’ quarters, colourful gardensand a stunning landscaped parkland.

The history of the property includes many greatcharacters, amongst them Lancelot ‘Capability’Brown, Henry Holland and Admiral LordRodney. The parkland holds a significant place inhistory, as it was one of Brown’s final landscapeprojects.

The ‘below stairs’ areas of the mansion, whichinclude the Butler’s Pantry, Victorian laundry,Georgian dairy and back stairs, can be explored,to gain an insight into the lives of the servants.

Families are very welcome at Berrington andthere is plenty on offer, including a children’strail, play area and varied activities during theyear, as well as the parkland to explore.For admission prices, event details or any furtherinformation please call 01568 615721.

Croft Castle & Parkland,near Leominster

Just over five miles away, at Croft Castle andParkland, visitors will get to uncover 1,000 yearsof history. The castellated country house hasfamily connections dating back to the NormanConquest.

Family portraits adorn the walls alongsidesuperb Gothic decoration from the 18th centu-ry, including exceptional ceilings, paintings andfurniture. There is a beautiful restored walledgarden and miles of walks through the parklandto explore. Visitors can also venture further anddiscover the Iron Age hill fort at nearby CroftAmbrey.

Families can enjoy trails around the castle andpark and children can get their hands on historyin the family activity room, which includes dress-ing up. The new Castle themed play area is ahuge attraction for little visitors.

For admission prices, event details or any furtherinformation please call 01568 780246.

Enjoy great savings on entry with the joint tick-et for Berrington Hall and Croft Castle &Parkland.

For further details on this, including the price,please call either of the properties or visit thewebsite at : www.nationaltrust.org.uk/westmid-lands.

Brockhampton Estate, nearBromyard

Discover the truly English countryside on theBrockhampton Estate near Bromyard. Situatedon the border of Herefordshire andWorcestershire, the estate offers visitors wildlife,local food, miles of walks and wonderful viewsacross the surrounding countryside.Berrington Hall, copyright The National Trust / Derek Wilbraham

Croft Castle, copyright The National Trust / Derek Wilbraham

Signpost - page 9

There are a range of way-marked paths throughpark and woodland for visitors to explore,including a nursery rhyme walk and a “Walk forHealth”. There is also a new nature trail, includ-ing a bird hide for the whole family to enjoy.

At the heart of the 1,700-acre estate lies thedelightful 14th century moated manor house ofLower Brockhampton, which is approachedthrough a timber-framed gatehouse.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of eventsthroughout the year, from seasonal guided walksof the estate to moat dipping and mini-beasthunts for younger visitors.

The shop at Lower Brockhampton offers anexcellent selection of local crafts and produce,including the Brockhampton range of jams, pre-serves and honey. Delicious local produce canbe enjoyed in the Old Apple Store tea-room,including home-made cakes and freshly madesandwiches.

The Brockhampton Estate is open to visitors allyear round. Walks leaflets can be obtained fromLower Brockhampton and the tea-room.

For admission prices or for further information,call 01885 488099 or 01885 482077.

The Weir Garden, nearHereford

Discover the peaceful surroundings of The WeirGarden, a charming 1920s informal garden over-looking a bend of the River Wye, that reflectsthe style of planting of that unique era.

The garden was lovingly designed by Mr RogerParr, a retired stockbroker who had purchasedthe estate to enjoy the salmon fishing along theriver. It was passed to the National Trust in the1950s.

There are changing colours throughout the sea-sons and the garden is renowned for its wide

variety of spring bulbs, including snowdrops,daffodils, chionodoxa, scilla and bluebells.

The garden contains some interesting Romanarchaeology, including the largest standing pieceof Roman masonry in Herefordshire andWorcestershire and an octagonal Roman well orNymphia.

For admission prices or more information pleasecall 01981 590509.

Cwmmau Farmhouse, Brilley,Whitney on Wye

The unique Cwmmau Farmhouse is a fine exam-ple of Herefordshire’s rural history. This 17thcentury black and white timber-framed farm-house is open to the public on four weekendsduring the year. For the remainder of the year itis run as a National Trust holiday cottage.

Brockhampton, copyright The National Trust / Susan BraceSignpost - page 8

Cwmmau Farmhouse, copyright The National Trust

The Weir Garden, copyright The National Trust /Derek Wilbraham


Cwmmau was built as a hunting lodge during the1620s by Philip Holman, who went on tobecome High Sheriff of Herefordshire. In 1700its role as a farm began to develop and contin-ued for more than 200 years. The estate was leftto the National Trust in 1964.

The farmhouse shows the development of anestate from the 17th century to the present day.The rooms are little altered from the originalconstruction and it retains all its character andcharm, with many early features still in place,such as the double bread ovens and washingcoppers in the kitchen.

For entry prices or more information please call01981 590509.

Hanbury Hall, near DroitwichSpa

Completed in 1701, Hanbury Hall is a homelyWilliam and Mary-style house, famed for its finepainted ceilings and staircase by Sir JamesThornhill.

The hall is set in a stunning 20-acre garden, largeparts of which have had extensive restoration

work to bring them back to George London’soriginal stunning early 18th century design. Thegarden includes an elegant parterre, orangery, icehouse, working mushroom house and 18th cen-tury crown bowling green.

There are pleasant walks to enjoy around thegarden and further walks around the 395-acrepark, which offer superb views over the localcountryside.

Visitors to the hall can enjoy a relaxed, homelyatmosphere and are welcome to sit on many ofthe chairs.

A range of local produce can be enjoyed in thetea-room, which serves hot meals and lunches,as well as lighter snacks in the Stables Café.

Hanbury is very popular with families and offersa busy programme of events including familyactivity days every Tuesday during the schoolholidays. Young visitors will also enjoy exploringthe children’s play area and people of all ages cantry their hand at playing bowls on the 18th cen-tury crown bowling green.

For admission prices, opening times and moreinformation, call 01527 821214.

Croome Park, near Pershore

Commissioned by the 6th Earl of Coventry in1751, Croome Park was Lancelot ‘Capability’Brown’s first complete landscape design andmade his reputation.

The park near Pershore is a delightful landscapewith trails and walks for people of all ages.There are elegant temples, statues and wroughtiron bridges to admire, acres of parkland andlakeside gardens to explore and a lively pro-gramme of events to entertain all the family.

Visitors can enjoy walking alongside the lake andwhat is believed to be the longest man-maderiver of its kind in England.

A relaxing circular path around the PleasureGarden offers walkers the chance to see theTemple Greenhouse, pavilion and grotto, andwalks into the wider estate provide spectacularviews across to the “eye-catchers” and theMalvern Hills.

The former RAF buildings were restored in2007 to provide new visitor facilities whichinclude a shop and café. Many original featureshave been retained, such as hand-painted signs.

The historic parkland at Croome can now beseen from a different perspective from inside therecently opened Croome Court. The magnifi-cent house, which was closed for so long, nowoffers stunning views over the surrounding land-scape and gives visitors the opportunity toexplore the unfurnished interiors and discover

Hanbury Hall, copyright The National Trust / Derek Wilbraham

Croome Park, copyright The National Trust / Wendy Carter


the fascinating history through images, soundsand objects.

For admission prices and more information, call01905 371006.

For general details about opening times andevents please call the National Trust on 01743708100 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Rosedene, Dodford

A few miles away from Hanbury Hall is a sliceof British social and economic history atRosedene.

The cottage in Dodford was built as part of theChartist movement, which campaigned forsocial and economic reform in the mid 1800s.One of the initiatives of the Chartist movementwas to settle ordinary workers on smallholdingsso they could be self-sufficient and would beentitled to vote.

Volunteer guides offer an insight into the cot-tage’s history and how people used to live in it.Visitors can see how each room was designedfor a specific use and can also explore the tradi-tional vegetable garden, which is in the finalstages of being converted to an organic status,and orchards which have been restored to reflectthe way the Chartists lived.

Admission to the Chartist cottage is by pre-booked guided tours only. To book places or forfurther details, please contact the property officeat Hanbury Hall on 01527 821214.

The Greyfriars, Worcester

Located in the centre of Worcester is TheGreyfriars, a 15th century timber-framed mer-chant’s house. With its tranquil walled gardenand panelled interiors, this hidden gem has a fas-cinating story to tell.

Built around 1480, the house was mistakenlygiven the name The Greyfriars in the early 20th

century when local historians confused its upperfloor with the refectory of a Franciscan friarythat was on an adjacent site.

The house was lovingly restored by Mr MatleyMoore and his sister Elsie, who saved it fromdemolition in the 1940s. They lived in the houseuntil their deaths in 1982 and 1985. Both werevery interested in medieval art, which is reflect-ed in the decoration of the house and its unusu-al collections. Miss Moore was a fine artist andneedlewoman, and there are examples of herwork on display.

Visitors can enjoy the peaceful walled garden,which provides a welcome retreat in the city cen-tre. When the weather is fair, a cup of tea and aslice of cake can be enjoyed on the terrace.

For admission prices, opening times and furtherinformation, call 01905 23571.

Greyfriars, copyright The National Trust / Derek Wilbraham

Rosesdene, copyright The National Trust / Robert Morris

Signpost - page 15

Over the last 2-3 years thousands of visitorsfrom all over the UK and overseas have touredThe Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir, a Grade 11*Gothic mansion some 7 miles north ofLlandrindod Wells. Such is its uniqueness, TheHall has featured in 9 TV programmes over thelast 3 years. In September 2010, The Hall wonThe Small Business Award at The PowysBusiness Award ceremony.

Owners Paul and Victoria Humpherstonrestored the property over 10 years. The tourscombine outstanding architecture, stunning inte-riors, and fascinating collections with enchanting12 acre gardens. The couple are now planningthe next 12 months.

Paul and Victoria say; “We have been describedas a museum, an art gallery, a stately home andeven as a 52 roomed film set! But we think ofourselves as a family home we share with others.Visitors see all 52 rooms guided by a familymember in a family atmosphere, we have no pri-vate apartments, and people laugh a lot becausethey never know what`s coming next.”

Spring and Summer 2011In looking at 2011 Paul says“ We will again beopen each day of the year with the house deco-rated in all rooms for Easter, from 16th April to30th April inclusive.

A Retro SummerFrom 1st April to end September, The GardenRoom will be decorated for a Retro Summerwith soft furnishings complementing the 30`s,40`s and 50`s memorabilia. Selections of cakesand refreshments will be available to thosevisiting the house and/or gardens, and meals orhigh teas are available for groups through pre-booking.

Ladies’ DaysDuring April, groups can choose between thecustomary tour and “Ladies` Days “. These daysallow ladies to break the tour and to look ingreater depth at Victorias` various collections ofclothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery, and atindividual items of interior design or furnishing.

The Gardens and GroundsThe grounds include a romantic walled garden, alake and waterfall, courtyards and terraces andsome splendid mixed woodland. They overlookthe ruins of the 12th c “Abbey of The LongValley” in a spectacular setting, and are amidstthe most beautiful in Wales.

Christmas 2011“We had a rapturous reception from visitors toour 2010 Christmas ” says Victoria, “ and we arealready working on the new decorative themesand trees in all 52 rooms for Christmas 2011.Our Xmas is completely unique in the UK. andwe have am, pm or evening tours daily fromNovember 1st 2011 through to January 6th 2012inclusive.

Gift VouchersOur Gift Vouchers, redeemable at any point inthe year, remain a popular gift for loved onesthroughout the year.

PricesThe price for the guided tour of all 52 roomsand full access to the 12 acre gardens remains at£12.00pp for groups (ten persons or over) andfor repeat visitors, and £14.00pp for individuals.Visits to the gardens only are £5.00pp

THE HALL AT

ABBEY-CWM-HIR: 2011As featured on BBC, ITV and S4C.

“A Palace in Radnorshire”“Enchanting”

“Best visit to any house, anywhere, anytime”

TheHall

atAbbey-Cwm-HirAbbey-Cwm-Hir52 rooms of Victorian Splendour

•Individuals/couples/groups.

•Weekdays/weekends/evenings.

•Parking for cars and coaches.

•Refreshments / catering available.

•Gift vouchers available.

•12 acre Gardens open.

•Situated off the A483/A44, 7miles north west of LlandrindodWells/east of Rhayader.

Bookings are available for TOURS by the owners, throughout the year.

“The best we have seen”“Words fail me -an amazing house inan amazing setting”

To book contact Paul and Victoria Humpherstonon telephone 01597 851 727 or email:

[email protected] visit our website www.abbeycwmhir.com

Signpost - page 17Signpost - page 16

WILTON CASTLE

Wilton Castle is located in the heart of the WyeValley on the bank of the picturesque River Wye.Located on the edge of the small village ofWilton means it an excellent venue with easyaccess, amazing grounds and a number of excel-lent local hotels. Additionally Ross-on-Wye isunder a mile away meaning its facilities are closeat hand.

The romantic ruins of a restored C12 castle andC16 manor house (not open) on the banks ofthe River Wye form the perfect backdrop for thegardens including herbaceous borders, beds ofsweetly scented old fashioned roses, gravel gar-dens and shrubberies. The two acre gardens aresurrounded by a dry moat which leads down tothe river Wye which has ducks, swans, kingfish-ers etc and even otters have been recently spot-ted.

Wilton Castle is believed to have been con-structed out of local red sandstone in secondhalf of the 12th century replacing a Motte andBailey. By the 14th century it had been convert-ed into a fortified residence with towers at eachcorner. In the 16th century a house was builtwithin the walls but this was destroyed by firearound a hundred years later. The house wasreconstructed in the 19th century and is still aresidence today

Open days 2011 : May 31st and then everyWednesday and Sunday in June, July andAugust, plus August 30th. Wilton Castle alsocaters for weddings - see contact detailsbelow.

Opening times 11am - 5pm. Postcode HR96AD (at Wilton Roundabout on A40 oppositeBP garage take the lane to Castle LodgeHotel,Castle entrance is just past the Hotel).

Telephone 01989 565759www.wiltoncastle.co.uk

Hellens, still a privately-owned property, is a liv-ing monument to much of England’s history. Itcontains a wealth of period furnishings, paint-ings and decorations. There are heirlooms ofAnn Boleyn, Mary Tudor, the Earl of Essex ( afavourite of Elizabeth I), Charles I, the Duke ofWharton and of the house’s inhabitants over thecenturies.

The gardens are being redeveloped along Tudorand Jacobean lines, reflecting the house’s history.They incorporate a rare 17th century octagonaldovecote, a walled knot garden, a yew labyrinth,and a short woodland and pond walk. There arealso the Derby Coach and family carriages to beseen, as well as the Old Cider Mill house.

Opening times Easter end SeptemberWednesday, Thursday, Sunday & Bank Holidaysby tour at 2pm, 3pm & 4pm

Hellens is situated in the village of Much Marcle,just off the A449, 7 miles from Ross on Wye and3 miles from Ledbury.

Telephone 01531 660504www.hellensmanor.com

Hellens

Copyright Richard Surman


Harvington Hall is famous for its HeritageEducational Activities; a range of speciallydesigned days are on offer to suit children fromas young as 5 years up to A level pupils andbeyond to trainee teachers and other higher edu-cation students.

The Hall has recently been awarded a SandfordAward for Heritage Education; judges visited theHall in the Summer and watched Key Stage 2pupils from a local school, learning about thelives of the rich and poor in Tudor times.

Hall volunteers have created beautiful cloaks andhats made from rich, soft materials for the 'rich'pupils so that they can learn about clothes, man-ners and Tudor life as well as try a little gentledancing. Meanwhile the 'poorer' pupils wearscratchy, dull aprons and caps to learn aboutduties below stairs and out on the estates thatwould have surrounded the Hall. Needless tosay, everyone has a turn at both!Pupils are also shown round the Hall, trying outits famous hides and learning about the danger-ous lives of Catholic Priests at that time.

The Hall is open from Wednesday to Sundayfrom April to September and weekends inMarch and October, all 11.30am to 4.00pm.Parking is free and there is a lovely gift shop, tearoom by the side of the moat and charmingwalled gardens.

The Hall has a full programme of events for2011 including Living History weekends, out-door theatre and music, a wine tasting evening,free entry for Father's and Mothers on their spe-cial days and exciting Christmas events.

New this year are 'Accessibility Days'; anyonewho has difficulty accessing parts of the Hall forwhatever reason can book an individual guidedtour where we aim to make the Hall as interest-ing as possible for them.

Telephone 01562 777846www.harvingtonhall.com

HARVINGTON HALL

"""��

�) '� � ��*�"�1��,(� *��&�1��)&��- +��-'��) '��'$��(%#��0��('��0+�� (. &� *��&��)&�� -'�� &� *��&��)&��,��-'��" ��-�! �+��(�!#'!��*(��,* ,��* +, #!' ��(/0+��

��

�#�� "�� "��"�� $��$�� !��

Explore the life and music of Sir Edward Elgar at theELGAR BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM

Set in the beautiful countryside of Worcestershire

(last admission 4.15pm)Closed Christmas to end of January

Crown East Lane, Lower BroaheathWorcester WR2 6RH01905 333224www.elgarmuseum.org

Open everyday 11am to 5pm


In the style of a Medieval Welsh-border fortress,Eastnor Castle was built in the early 19th centu-ry, by John, First Earl Somers, and is a goodexample of the great Norman and Gothicrevival in architecture of that time. The Castle isdramatically situated in a 5000 acres estate in theMalvern Hills and remains the family home ofthe Hervey-Bathurst’s, his direct descendants.

The fairytale Castle is as dramatic inside as it isoutside. A vast 60 foot high Hall leads to a seriesof State Rooms including a Gothic DrawingRoom designed by Pugin, with its original furni-ture, and a Library in the style of the ItalianRenaissance, with views across the Lake.

The Hervey-Bathurst family have lovinglyrestored the interiors, and many of the Castle’streasures which have been buried away in cellarsand attics for 50 years – early Italian Fine Art,Medieval Armour, 17th century Venetian furni-ture, Flemish tapestries and paintings by VanDyck, Reynolds, Romney and Watts and earlyphotographs by Julia Margaret Cameron – arenow on display.

Castellated terraces descend to a lake created atthe same time as the Castle and stocked withcarp. The remains of the family’s original house,Castleditch, form one of the islands. The DeerPark, part of a medieval chase, originally sur-rounded the Castle. In the 1860’s and ‘70’s the

third Earl created the arboretum, bringing backseed from all over the world.

Of particular interest are the magnificent, state-ly cedars, now at their best. (The third Earl wasresponsible for introducing the rangy Atlas

EASTNOR CASTLE &ARBORETUM

Cedar to the British Isles). Areas of the sur-rounding hills were also planted with rare treesand exotic shrubs by the third Earl, to enhancethe natural setting.

Eastnor Castle is set for a fun packed seasonhosting an event on every public open day.Events range from family treasure hunts to chal-lenges and country pursuits to open air theatre,something for everyone to enjoy.

Groups can visit Eastnor Castle on public opendays or enjoy a pre-booked guided tour onMondays and Tuesdays throughout the year forgroups of 20 or more. Coach drivers and grouporganisers obtain free entry. There is a licensedtea room, gift shop, ice-cream parlour, lakesideand woodland walks, knight’s maze and anadventure playground and assault course.

Eastnor Castle is situated in the foothills of theMalverns, lying between the Cotswolds and theWelsh Marches. The Castle is 21/2 miles east ofLedbury on the A438 Tewkesbury road.

Telephone 01531 633160www.eastnorcastle.com

The Gothic Drawing Room

The Great Hall - Eastnor Castle

Goodrich Castle

This fortress stands majestically on its old redsandstone crag commanding the passage of theRiver Wye into the picturesque wooded valley atSymonds Yat. A fortification may have beenestablished here in the mists of prehistory, asaerial photography has traced ditches surround-ing the site which appear to represent an IronAge fort. Within the courtyard of the castleproper stands a beautifully proportioned rec-tangular keep, possibly built in the very earlyyears of the 12th century.

By 1102, it was known as Godric’s Castle, afterthe first lord, the English thegn Godric. Todaywe know it as Goodrich Castle. The fortressplayed its part in the wars of Stephen andMatilda in the 12th century, and witnessed acrushing defeat of the besieging baronsbeneath its walls in 1216 by Earl WilliamMarshal of Pembroke. William’s five sons wereall lords of the castle and died in tragic circum-

stances, allegedly through the curse of a Welshprince wronged by their ancestor.In the 1260s,the castle passed to the king’s half-brother, EarlWilliam de Valance, and he renovated thedefences in the most modern of styles. It is hisgreat red sandstone castle which still graces thescenery of Herefordshire today.

In 1645 Sir Henry Lingen fought a desperatebattle to hold the castle for the king, but wasfinally beaten. Finally, after over 300 years, thefamous ‘Roaring Meg’ cannon has returned tothe scene of its greatest triumph.

Goodrich Castle is five miles south of Ross onWye off the A40, tel 016000 890538 or forfurther details :

www.english-heritage.org.uk

A kitchen garden includes fruits & vegetables allgrown organically and supplying the Cafe andShop. In early Spring, over 10,000 tulips andother bulbs come to life. The legendary wisteriatunnel is said to be almost 200 years old andleads to the Castle lawns and beyond to thesecret hidden garden and waterfall.

The River Lugg runs through the Estate andtogether with the surrounding forests makes forsome fascinating walks through the grounds.

The stunningly scenic setting in over a thousandacres of private Estate including lakes, rivers,woodland and gardens but yet only 15 minutesdrive from the city of Hereford, makes this oneof the most seductive destinations in the world.

The tastefully-appointed State Rooms includingthe magnificent Ballroom and exquisitely hand-painted Chapel are now open to the public fortours and also offer a perfect setting forweddings and other private or corporate events.

Telephone 01568 797 777www.hamptoncourt.org.uk

One of England’s best kept secrets, HamptonCourt Castle is genuinely one of the mostromantic houses in England and the forerunnerto the internationally renowned Hampton CourtPalace by some 80 years.

Situated in the very heart of the English coun-tryside , the 15th Century Castle is set in over1000 acres of estate including the spectacularnewly designed formal gardens which havereceived world-wide acclaim.

The Domesday Manor was a marriage gift ofKing Henry IV. Work first started in 1434 andincludes the massive gate tower, great hall(today’s library and dining room), the privateapartments and the jewel-like chapel.

Fittingly, during Elizabethan times, the Castlewas an academy of the courtly arts includingarms, music, poetry and horsemanship. TheCastle and Estate are now fully restored and willonce again reflect centuries of history and tradi-tion.

The gardens are one of the most ambitious hor-ticultural creations of our times. Rescued fromneglect in 1994, the gardens have been revivedand transformed.

The original Victorian Walled Garden now con-tains breathtaking displays of flower beds, orna-mental walkways, waterways, fountains and cas-cades.

Over a thousand yew trees have been planted tocreate a maze with a gothic tower at its centre.

Signpost - page 22

Flower Garden from Kitchen Garden

The Cloisters

Castle across the lake

HAMPTON COURT

CASTLE

Signpost - page 23

.... and a place to unwind

Charming and unspoilt and naturally beautiful,Spetchley is a welcoming oasis of calm and theperfect place to relax and unwind away from thedistractions of modern-day life. It’s a garden forquiet contemplation or a leisurely stroll, for afamily picnic or an afternoon tea with friends.

You won’t find a purpose-built play area for chil-dren here - just ducks and geese, squirrels andpeacocks, a knobbly knee tree, some fantastichiding places, and acres of space. Look againand woodland becomes enchanted forest, foot-bridge becomes castle drawbridge, and pathsbecome jungle trails. With a little imagination,who knows what they might discover!

Spetchley Park Gardens is available for hire forweddings and special occasions. It is the perfectplace to be for the most wonderful day of yourlife.

Why not sample some of our own venisonwhich comes from our own Red and FallowDeer. It is the ideal accompaniment for anydinner party. Please look at the website for anydetails or contact 01453 810 303 to make anorder.

Events for 2011

The Specialist Plant Fair (30 specialist nurseries)– Sunday 17th April, 11am-5pm. Entrance £5per adult and £2.50 per child under 14

M5 Military re-enactment (5 eras of military re-enactment in one location) – Sat & Sun 20th &21st August. Entrance £7.50 per adult £2.50 perperson.

Telephone 01453 810303www.spetchleygardens.co.uk

Signpost - page 25

Just three miles east of the beautiful cathedralcity of Worcester and surrounded by gloriouscountryside, lies one of Britain’s best keptsecrets.

This lovely 30 acre Victorian paradise has beenlovingly created by successive generations of theBerkeley family, and boasts an enviablecollection of plant treasures from every cornerof the globe.

It is an ever changing garden with somethingnew to see every year, whether it is the new RoseLawn, recently renovated conservatory housinga wonderful, tumbling Plumbago or theredesigned Kitchen Garden guarded by abeautiful stag.

Clumps of wild primrose push up randomlythrough sapphire carpets of crocus and swathesof sunny daffodils in Spring, with billowingborders of blowsy perennials and tender exoticsin Summer, and a palette of burnt orange, ochreand fiery red in Autumn.

A garden of surprises

From the first tantalizing glimpse of the gardenacross the magnolia-fringed Horse Pool, backround to the entrance through the Melon Yardwith its olives and delicious pineapple-scentedflowers, Spetchley is full of surprises

It’s a garden of contrasts, where formal clippedhedges, rose beds and sweeping lawns meet tum-bling herbaceous borders and walls festoonedwith rampant climbers, and where winding pathslead you from the quintessentially English to theunmistakably Mediterranean.

There are unexpected vistas framed by bor-rowed landscape, far-reaching views of theMalvern Hills, and a surprise around everycorner, be it the rare and quirky Root House, thedelightful statues of Adam and Eve watchingover the Bath Stone Alcove or the mightyLucombe oak tree on the Cork Lawn.

Signpost - page 24

SPETCHLEY PARK

GARDENS

Signpost - page 26

Westonbury Mill Water Gardens is situated justoff the A44 between Leominster and Kington,close to the picturesque and historic village ofPembridge. This wonderfully peaceful area ofthe Welsh Marches is the ideal location for thismost beautiful and tranquil of gardens with out-standing views of the surrounding hills andorchards.

The garden first opened to the public in 2002after its owner, Richard Pim’s five years of care-ful designing and planting united in producingwhat the Daily Telegraph described as a ‘magicalwaterworld’. It has also been featured inCountry Life, The English Garden and CountryLiving.

The three and a half acre gardens areapproached through a large water meadow andare laid out around a tangle of streams andponds, connected by numerous bridges behindan old corn mill. Unusual features, as well as awater-spouting castellated stone tower (completewith gargoyles) have been built by Richard toadd interest to the garden. Not that it needs it!

Follies add a lot of fun to a garden and the waterspouting tower has been a great success with vis-itors. The newest is a fern house with a domedroof made with intersecting arches like a hugehot cross bun. The arches are faced with piecesof limestone which give the appearance of a cliffface, hopefully to become home to small fernsand lichens. The dome is completed by filling thequadrants between the arches with wine bottleswhich sparkle in the sun rather like a cathedralwindow.

After your stroll around the gardens do call in atthe café which serves a wide range of tasty

lunches and afternoon teas. All food is freshlycooked and prepared from locally sourced ingre-dients.

The gardens are open every day from the begin-ning of April until the end of September.Opening times are 11am to 5pm

Telephone 01544 388650

WESTONBURY MILL

WATER GARDENS

Signpost - page 27

Shipley Gardens are bisected by a Track wayleading to the adjacent river ford , that has wit-nessed three thousand years of history . Whileoriginally the route between two Iron Ageencampments, the track later became used by theRomans . Three coins of the Constantine periodof the London Mint of 296 – 325 AD came tothe surface in recent times .

Vikings came up the Wye in the 9th century toestablish an encampment nearby.

With the advent of William the Conqueror , theRiver crossing became a route for entry to con-trol the border lands of Wales .

By the late fifteen hundreds the sophisticatedTilt Armour , now in the Metropolitan MuseumNew York , came by at regular intervals from thenearby great mansion of the Scudamore family ,en route to the Elizabethan Tilt Yards of WhiteHall. That great brick family house was complet-ed in 1545 , financed by moneys arising from the

Dissolution of the Monasteries . The estate planshows an Elk Park and an area termed BrickKiln Wood . Shipley was built from the samebricks , but simply as two gable fireplaces ,ovensand chimneys between which were rooms forthe Ferry Man and his family . The detailedrecords of a 1639 Scudamore MansionChristmas feast show Peacocks and Blackbirdson the menu.

In 1958, Bob Macadie purchased the derelictremains of the site and simultaneouslyembarked upon the creation of the existing gar-dens, by revisiting the movement initiated by theJournalist and practical Gardener, WilliamRobinson, whose publication of his book ‘TheWild Garden’ by John Murray of AlbermarleStreet London in 1887, significantly influencedhis thinking .

Knowledge of the Ha Ha or Sunken Trencharrived in Herefordshire from France in 1709 soBob opened up the view to the rivers ford , rein-troduced Peacocks to Shipley , and commencedto create what is now an inspirational timelessoasis of garden habitats

www.shipleygardens.co.uk

SHIPLEY

GARDENS

Echinops & Willow Herb

Tilt Armour


KIDDERMINSTER • BEWDLEY • BRIDGNORTH

A wonderful way to spend a day!

The Railway Station, Bewdley, Worcs DY12 1BG

Take an atmospheric steamtrain journey along thebeautiful Severn Valley.

Please check our website for operating dates and times.

Advance tickets, usually at reducedprices, available at:www.svr.co.uk

or call: 01299 403816Mon-Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm

25 – 30 August 2011

Musical discovery, artistic innovation and outstanding performances in the

beauty of the Welsh Marches

Navarra Quartet, Tamsin Waley-CohenHuw Watkins, Helen-Jane Howells

Alissa Firsova, Festival SoloistsChoir of Royal Holloway

Festival Orchestra and so much more

for free brochures and full programme call 01544 267800

or view www.presteignefestival.com

Broadfield Court is one of Herefordshire’s mosthistoric and beautiful properties, set as it is inglorious countryside near Leominster.

This 14th-century manor house, which is men-tioned in the Domesday Book, has welcomedthe likes of the Mitford sisters, Sir WinstonChurchill and Sir Derek Jacobi in its rich history.

The award-winning Court Cafe which specialis-es in well-prepared home-cooked food using themost local of produce, a vineyard which pro-duces its own wine and the magnificent DavidAustin rose garden are just three of the elementsat Broadfield Court for visitors to savour.

It is now run by Mark and Alexandra James whoare delighted to share their home to individuals,coach parties, groups, weddings, conferencesand courses.

The peace and tranquillity at Broadfield is anoth-er reason for its popularity; the views are stun-ning with no other properties in sight.

As well as delicious lunches the team atBroadfield are pleased to provide tea, coffee andsnacks for visiting individuals and groups. Theywill also happily give a tour of the gardens, boththe rose garden and the walled garden whichsupplies the café with its vegetables.

Wine tasting is very popular with several wines,both still and sparkling, available for sampling.

First planted in 1971, the vineyard is one of themost mature in the country and now extends tosome 13 acres making it the largest inHerefordshire.

Broadfield Court is open daily from 10am andadmission is free.

For further details contact Broadfield Court on01568 797483 or visit ww.broadfieldcourt.co.uk

SPETCHLEY PARK GARDENS 2 miles East of Worcester

www.spetchleygardens.co.uk

OPEN: - March 23rd-Sept 30th: Wed-Sun. 11am-6pm plus BH Mondays.

October: Sat & Sun 11am– 4pm. ADMISSION: - Adults £6, Concession

£5.50 , Children under 16 free. Pre booked groups (25+) £5

TELEPHONE: 01453 810 303

BROADFIELD COURT


PRESTEIGNE FESTIVALMagnificat and Nunc Dimittis from Joe Duddell,chamber pieces from Zita Bružait� and JohnHawkins and songs from Julian Phillips.

2011 will be another hugely exciting year in thelife of the Presteigne Festival as artistic horizonsare expanded yet further. In spring 2011, as adirect result of our hugely successful CreatingLandscapes education project, outreach work isplanned in association with Live Music Now –this will include a series of concerts for elders innursing homes and day care centres in the imme-diate area. Renewing a recent association withDominic Horne and the BirminghamConservatoire, the Presteigne Festival is to pro-mote a second competition for composers. Thewinning work will be premiered at the 2011Festival and will be awarded the second AlanHorne prize for composition.

Apart from exciting pieces by living British com-posers and rarely heard Lithuanian repertoire,other music to be heard includes importantworks by Bach, Beethoven, Britten, Damase,Haydn, Hindemith, Ireland, Martinů, Mozart,Scriabin, Stravinsky and Tippett – a magnificentarray by anyone’s standards.

An amazingly wide range of artists will performat the Festival in 2011, including some wonder-fully talented performers from the younger gen-eration: the Navarra Quartet, pianist and com-poser Huw Watkins, violinists Tamsin Waley-Cohen and Sara Trickey, soprano Helen-JaneHowells, Russian pianist and composer Alissa

Firsova, the Choir of Royal Holloway, Universityof London under their director Rupert Gough,cellist Louisa Tuck, harpist Sally Pryce, wood-wind players Joanna Shaw (flute), Ilid Jones(oboe), Catriona Scott (clarinet) and ThomasOxley (bassoon), Christopher Brannick (percus-sion), trumpeter Heidi Bennett and double bassplayer Benjamin Griffiths. The PresteigneFestival Orchestra will give three concerts at theFestival, conducted by artistic director, GeorgeVass.

Continuing its important partnership with BBCRadio 3, two concerts from the Festival will bebroadcast.

www.presteignefestival.comTelephone 01544 267800

Situated in an intimate town on theHerefordshire/Powys border, the PresteigneFestival has become a mecca for those seekingartistic nourishment and musical discovery inidyllic surroundings. With a truly forward look-ing commissioning policy, the organisationworks closely with composers and artists to cre-ate and curate inspiring programmes and eventsfor an ever-widening Festival community.

This year we’ll promote some thirty events ofwhich fifteen are concerts together with manycomplimentary activities. Our main concertvenue is St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne, for

many years the jewel in the festival’s crown, withother performances given at village churches andhalls nestling in the beautiful countryside of theWelsh Marches.

Thanks to an exciting association with theLithuanian Embassy, the 2011 Festival offers awide variety of Lithuanian music with many UKpremieres. We will be joined by Zita Bružait�,one of Lithuania’s leading composers, as a fea-tured artist-in-residence. Other Festival high-lights include Joseph Phibbs as composer-in-res-idence, mini-features of Bartók andShostakovich and a celebration of the music ofCecilia McDowall in honour of her sixtiethbirthday year.

As ever at Presteigne there will be a strong cropof commissions, including new pieces for theFestival Orchestra – a Concertino for violin andstring orchestra from Huw Watkins, a concer-tante work for wind quintet, timpani and stringorchestra by John Pickard and a concerto forstring orchestra by Joseph Phibbs. In additionthe Festival has commissioned a setting of the

Tamsin Waley-Cohen

25th - 30th August 2011

Huw Watkins The Navarra Quartet


With spring on the doorstep, soon follows sum-mer, and with that, one of Wales’ most signifi-cant and vibrant festivals will be staged. FromMonday 4th, until Sunday 10th of July,Llangollen, a small town in beautiful NorthWales will be host and home to an array ofcolour, a world of cultures and of course, ashowcase of musical talents. This event has con-tinued to grow and grow since it was first held in1947.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod isnot only about Eisteddfod! Yes, the days arefilled with live colourful, vibrant competitions,including; choirs, dance groups, musicians, and

vocal soloists from all around the world. AtLlangollen they ALL come together in an uniquespirit of goodwill, to showcase their talents andculture and compete in 25 competitions.

When night falls, Llangollen never fails toimpress! Live music @ 6 gives all festival visitorsa taste of the Eisteddfod winning competitorsand a popular and engaging series of informalconcerts on the field.

Llangollen is famed for securing the biggestnames in the music industry to perform at theheadline concerts. This year is no exception tothis rule; the superstar Lulu, performs at the

Opening Gala concert on Monday with her spe-cial guests where, Divas of the world, unite!Tuesday Evening Russell Watson will be headlin-ing this year, for his visit to Llangollen. Tuesdayis International Children’s Day, the Peace mes-sage and the famous International Parade!

Friday’s concert sees West End and Broadwaystar, Ruthie Henshall, perform The Best of theWest End featuring soloists from West End andthe Orchestra of Welsh National Opera.

Saturday is International Family Day. The @6evening concerts feature Guest of Honour, cellovirtuoso Julian Lloyd-Webber, playing some ofhis favourite music and in the Pavilion the Worldfamous Choir of the World Competition andConcert. Sunday we have an exciting move fromtradition with McFly!!!! www.mcfly.com

Summer is most definitely here! Come and seefor yourself !

www.llangollen2011.co.uk

Ticket Office 01978 862001: Prices from £10,extra special savings available with the purchaseof season tickets.

July 4th - 10th

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL

MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD

Choir of the World Winners - University of Santo Thomas Singers 2010, with Terry Waite & Mervyn Cousins

Russell Watson

McFly


An annual event over the second weekend inMay.

More than five thousand visitors came over thetwo days of the 2010 festival.

The Spring Food Festival has a different focus tothe main summer food festival, it being ‘morelike a beer festival, only better...’ The 2010 eventcertainly was, with classic cars, live music, andplenty of local beers to sample.

With at least 140 real ales on draught from small

breweries in Wales and the Marches, brought toLudlow with help of SIBA, the Society ofIndependent Brewers, plus other drinks, serious-ly good local sausages, proper bread, and more,vistors found a great fun atmosphere!

The well-established Marches Transport Festival,a display of classic cars and other vehicles, alsotook place in and around the Castle on Saturdayand Sunday - making a double attraction.

Telephone 01584 873957www.springevent.org.uk

LUDLOW SPRING

FOOD FESTIVAL7th - 8th May 2011

Museum • Castle • Events • New Cafe & Shop • Nature Reserve

Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays 11am-5pm (closed Good Friday)Hartlebury Castle is 4 miles south of Kidderminster and is signed from the A449.

For further details please call 01299 250416or email [email protected]

Visit historic Hartlebury, home to theBishops of Worcester for over 1000 years.

www.worcestershire.gov.uk/museums

There is somethingfor everyone atWorcestershire’sCounty Museum.

The Bounds, Much Marcle,Ledbury, Herefordshire.HR8 2NQ England

Welcoming visitors since 1880

Join an historic tour andsample our ciders and perries FREE (adults only).

For more details visit ourwebsite or call our VisitorCentre on 01531 660 108

A warm welcome awaits you at Westons Cider.

Please drink responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.westons-cider.co.uk

Museum - Events - Tearoom - Shop

Open from March – December �

For further details call: 01527 831363 / 831886 or visit www.avoncroft.org.uk

Open the door on history!

The Spaceguard Centrewww.spaceguarduk.com

Could this happen ?Can we do anything about it ?Come and find out.

Open all year, Wed-Sun.Conducted tours at 10.30, 2 & 4pm (May-Sept)

Call 01547 520247 for availability

Hereford Museum and ArtGallery,

The Museum and Art Gallery is housed in aspectacular Victorian gothic building. It has beenexhibiting artefacts and works of fine anddecorative art connected with the local area since1874. Although the exterior of the building haschanged very little the museum and gallery havekept up with the times.

The exhibitions begin in the foyer of the build-ing with a regularly changing small display in thefoyer case. Don't miss the Kenchester mosaic onyour way upstairs and the changing art exhibi-tions on the stairwell walls. The museum is fullof interesting local history with hands-onelements for all the family.

The art gallery is host to changing exhibitionsand changeovers happen every ten weeks.

Workshops are held every school holiday.

The building is fully accessible and access forwheelchairs is via the lift, located at the back ofthe Library on the ground floor.

Opening times all year Tuesday - Friday 10am –5pm and Saturday 10am – 4pm

Admission is free.

Telephone 01432 260692.Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AU

The Old House

The Old House is a wonderfully-preservedexample of a Jacobean half-timbered building –a startling sight in the middle of a modernshopping precinct in the heart of Hereford.

Built in 1621, the house has been home tobutchers, ironmongers and bankers over theyears, but since 1929 has been a fascinatingmuseum giving an insight into daily life inJacobean times. It is furnished in period styleand there are interesting pieces in every room.Of particular interest are the wall paintings, bedsand baby walkers.

HEREFORDSHIRE’SHERITAGE SEVICES


Signpost - page 39

There are hands-on activities for children includ-ing replica clothing and puzzles.

For those unable to climb the stairs, a virtualtour is situated on the level ground floor.

Open: Opening times all year Tuesday - Friday10am – 5pmSaturday 10am – 4pm

Admission is free. Telephone 01432 260694High Town, Hereford, HR1 2AA

Market House Visitor Centre,Ross-on-Wye

The Visitor Centre in Ross-on-Wye is located onthe upper floor of the town’s 17th century sand-stone Market House. Inside the visitor will findinformation boards depicting local history andthe people of Ross on Wye. Visitors can alsoview exhibitions by local artists and crafts peo-ple, and there is a small selection of gifts avail-able for purchase. The centre also provideseverything the visitor could want in the way oftourist information from coach and accommo-dation bookings, to attractions information andlocal knowledge, as well as maps, guides andadvice on day-trips.

The Market House is fully accessible with a liftand disabled toilet facilities.

Opening Times:Opening times April – October Wednesday –Monday 10.30am – 4.30pmNovember – March Monday & Wednesday –Saturday 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday 10.30am –4pm. CLOSED Tuesdays throughout the year.

Market Place, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5BZTelephone 01432 260675

Museum Resource andLearning Centre

The Museum Resource and Learning Centre isthe central storage facility for the county's muse-um collections. In addition to climate controlledstores which keep the museums collections pre-served for the future, there are opportunities tomeet the expert members of staff working at thecentre who can show you aspects of thecollections, identify your objects and give adviceon caring for them.

Opening times Opening timesatrium exhibition open all yearMonday - Friday 10am – 4pmAccess to collections by appoint-ment or on 3rd Thursday and 2ndTuesday each month 10am – 1pm

ADMISSION FREE

There are regular events such as workshops, lec-tures or ID days and you can also make aresearch visit or bring a group to see behind thescenes by appointment. For more information,please contact:

58 Friars Street, Hereford, HR4 0ASTel (01432) 383383Email: [email protected]: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/museums

Ledbury Heritage Centre

Ledbury Heritage Centre provides insights intothe past of the market town of Ledbury. It isbased in the Master’s House on the StKatherine’s site which was originally a medievalreligious foundation dating from 1232, provid-ing care for the elderly, the infirm and travellers.It is grade II listed although later additions havechanged and altered the building.

Old photographs record some of the buildingsand events of previous centuries, thanks to thephotographic record of John Tilley a local com-mercial photographer.

Local notables are represented in the currentdisplays; John Masefield, poet laureate, grew upin the town, a far cry from the sea which inspiredsome of his most remembered poems. ElizabethBarrett-Browning spent her early years in a verydistinctive house on a local estate before thefamily moved onto Wimpole Street in London.

Church LaneLedbury, HR8 1DNTelephone 01531 635680Opening Times :Opening times April – October, every day,10.30am – 4.30pmClosed on Good Friday and Easter SundayEvery museum needs volunteers to help inday to day activities, please see the contactdetails at the end of each article.

Signpost - page 40

The Waterworks Museum

The Waterworks Museum – Hereford is a 150-year time-capsule of working machinery andsocial history which tells the story of watersupplies in Wales and the Marches.

The range of engines, pumps and equipment ondisplay is unique. Most of the machines are thelast examples of their kind working anywhere inthe world. Its historic buildings and grounds areset close by the beautiful River Wye about 1kmfrom the city centre. Follow the heritage signsfrom the A49.The treasure of the collection is the oldest work-ing triple-expansion steam engine in the UK. Itstands two-floors high and is quite awesome inoperation. The Museum prides itself on havingits engines in operating condition and is runentirely by volunteers. It is a friendly museumwhere all the staff have time to talk to visitors.

Children especially love to see the superblyrestored horse-drawn fire engine. This datesfrom 1805 and was used on a private estate inHerefordshire (on loan from the HerefordshireMuseums Service.) There are lots moreactivities for children to do including trails andtime-lines.

The Museum is open in full steam with enginesworking all year: Tuesday 11am - 4pm. April toOctober second and last Sunday in month plusEaster, Spring and August Bank Holidays, 1pm -4pm.

Pre-arranged group and education visits all year

Broomy Hill, Hereford, HR4 0LJTelephone 01432 357236www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE’SINDEPENDENT MUSEUMS

The Cider Museum is housed in an originalcidermaking factory and is designed to look atthe whole cidermaking industry worldwide, fromits earliest beginnings through to the massproduction methods which exist today.

Learn about the history of cider making - howthe apples were milled and pressed and how theresulting juice was fermented to produce cider.

Set in a former cider making factory, visitors canexplore original cider champagne cellars andview cidermaking equipment, a cooper's work-shop and a vat house.

Listen to oral history recordings and view 19thcentury watercolours of cider apples and perrypears and appreciate the delicately engraved col-lection of English lead crystal cider glasses dat-ing from the 18th century onwards.

The original Champagne cellars reveal racks ofbottles where the “Methode Champagnoise” (abottle fermentation process used in FrenchChampagne production) was first applied tocider in 1905. The hydraulic presses, vat houseand bottling machinery date from the late 19thCentury and the cooper’s workshop displaystools similar to those used over four centuries bycoopers and still in use today. On display are

19th Century watercolours of apples and pearsand elegantly engraved 18th Century EnglishLead Crystal Cider Glasses.

A programme of activities and temporary exhi-bitions is arranged throughout the year includingthe Annual Cidermaking Festival taking place inOctober. A fun day out for all the family.

Opening times April–October Tuesday–Saturday 10am – 5pmNovember–March Tuesday–Saturday 10am–3pm. Open Bank Holiday weekends

Cider Museum and King Offa Distillery21 Ryelands Street, Hereford, HR4 0LW

Telephone 01432 354207ww.cidermuseum.co.uk

The Cider Museum &King Offa Distillery

Signpost - page 41

Every muse

um

Every muse

um

needs

volun

teers

!

needs

volun

teers

!

Leominster Museum

The Museum tells the story of Leominster andits people from pre Roman times to the presentday.

The collection comprises artefacts, pictures,photographs, postcards and documents, includ-ing an important collection of paintings anddrawings by famous Leominster Victorian artistJohn Scarlett Davis.

Etnam Street, Leominster, HR6 8ALTelephone 01568 615186Opening times Easter – OctoberMonday – Friday 11am – 4pmSaturday 11am – 1.30pm

Weobley Museum

Weobley Museum is situated on the site of theold police station and courtroom. The museumdisplays artefacts and archives which putWeobley in context through itshistory.

Weobley is full of black and white houses andthe museum shows many features of timber-framing as well as aspects of everyday life.

A walk leaflet taking you around the village isavailable from the museum and local shops

Back Lane, Weobley, HR4 8SGTelephone 01544 318022Opening times April – September Monday10am – 1pm & Thursday 2pm – 5pm plus July –September Wednesday 2pm – 5pm and BankHolidays 11.30am – 4.30pm

The Thomas Shop

The name comes from the family run shopwhich dates back to 1805. The Thomas ShopMuseum is a restoration of the original shop,and its unique collection grows continually,thanks to the generous donations of the Friendsof the Thomas Shop. Other attractions at theThomas Shop include: Tea Shop, Galleries, andsales of wool and fibre items, traditional craft,and a range of unusual gifts including a newlyintroduced, well researched and produced Welshdoll.

Penybont, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, OD1 5UATelephone 01597 851951Opening times: February – April Friday –Monday 10.00am – 5.00pm, April - end of sea-son daily 10.00am – 5.00pmwww.thomas-shop.com

Signpost - page 43

Kington Museum

The museum was opened in June 1986, and ishoused in what were the stables of the King’sHead Inn that was demolished in 1885.

The collection is formed of items received fromresidents of the town and the immediate sur-rounding area, together with artefacts fromfurther afield that have a link with Kington.

There is a small tearoom adjoining the museumwhere tea, coffee, cold drinks and homemadecake are served at very reasonable prices.Opening hours are the same as the museum.

Open April – September Tuesday – Saturday10.30am – 4pm

Mill Street, Kington, HR5 3ALTelephone: 01544 231 748 or 01544 231486 outof hours

Butcher Row House Museum,Ledbury

The museum, in Church Lane, is one of a rowof 15 burgage houses and shops, many of thembutchers, that ran down the middle of what isnow the High Street. They were bought out bypublic subscription in 1830 and one or two werere-erected; this one used to be in the back gardenof 14 High Street.

The Museum contains a wide variety of artifactsconnected with the town: reproduction helmets

and breastplates as worn in the Battle ofLedbury in 1645 and a small collection of musi-cal instruments ranging from a 'hurdy-gurdy' toa Tibetan pipe fashioned from a thigh bone areamong the varied items to be seen in themuseum.

On show are bygones of all kinds. These includea small selection that is displayed on an aptlynamed Puzzle Shelf as most visitors are baffledby at least some of the objects, as well as thecollection of musical instruments, there is acollection of costume and a fine display of lace.

Much historical information is available,including copies of historic documents.

The museum attracts around 14,000 visitors ayear and was the first independant museum inthe West Midlands to receive accreditationstatus. It is open daily from 11am to 5pm fromGood Friday to 30 September and from 11am to3pm in October. Admission is free but dona-tions are welcome from those wo wish to showtheir appreciation of this volunteer run museum.

Church Lane, Ledbury, HR8 1DWTelephone 01531 632511.Opening times Easter – September daily 11am– 5pm. October daily 11am – 3pm

Signpost - page 42

Mayor’s Parlour

Hereford Town Hall, opened in 1904, is a veryfine building and the Mayor's Parlour Suite con-tains a selection of items relating to the historyof the City of Hereford.

Individuals and groups are welcome to visit theMayor’s Parlour to learn about the City’s her-itage, to see the historic items on display in theParlour, and to view the City Silver and theCharters, dating from 1189, held in the Vaults.

Town Hall, St Owen’s Street, Hereford, HR1 2PJOpening times Contact the Mayor’s Secretary on01432 260438

Eardisland DovecoteThis dates from about 1700 and stands in themill stream. Renovated in 2000, you can view thenesting places and the internal structure, whilethe building also serves as an exhibition venue,tourist information site and shop for localproduce.Eardisland, Herefordshire HR6Telephone 01544 388226Opening times all year daily

Bromyard and District Localand Family History Centre

The Bromyard and District Local and FamilyHistory Society is based in Bromyard,Herefordshire, England, and was founded in1966. It is run entirely by volunteers and receivesno regular local authority financial support. Thecentre was opened for public use on May 1st2003.It exists to foster interest, enjoyment, researchand publication of Bromyard's local history.

5 Sherford Street, Bromyard, HR7 4DLTelephone 01885 488755

Opening times Thursday and Friday10am – 1pm & 2pm – 4.30pmSaturday 10am – 12.30pm

Hereford Light InfantryMuseum

The Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum tellsthe story of the Herefordshire Light Infantry incampaigns such as Galipoli, Egypt and Palestine.

Signpost - page 44

16th Century Painted Room

No. 1 Church Lane is one of the most interest-ing yet mysterious buildings in Ledbury. Thespot where it stands, at the junction of the 'kingshighway' and the east/west track from HerefordCathedral to Ledbury Parish Church, hasundoubtedly been the site of continuous humanactivity for more than a thousand years. InElizabethan times, Ledbury was a small town ofsome 600 to 650 people, and the market andreligious centre for a further 880 rural parish-ioners; some 1500 in all. Yet, despite havingrecords for Ledbury going back to 1557 andbeyond, for this building - unlike others aroundit, there is, as yet, no exact record of either it'spurpose or its inhabitants.

According to Ledbury Parish Church Archives,we learn 'The Parish of Ledbury in the Reign ofQueen Elizabeth l' by the late Miss S.FRobinson, there may have been built here aBooth Hall to replace the original early 15th cen-tury one sited where the Feathers Hotel is now.Such a use for this building - with its concern forthe proper conduct of Ledbury's markets andfairs; market toll gathering; the Court ofPiepowder; control of vagrants and the distribu-tion of poor law monies -might well account forthe very particular choice of texts used in thePainted Room, with their emphasis on the goodcitizen, duty and love.

Church Lane, Ledbury, HR8 1DHTelephone 01531 632306

Opening times March – April 11.30am –3.00pm April - October 11.00am to 4.00pmMonday to Friday, Sundays (mid July to midSeptember) 2.00pm to 5.00pm, and BankHolidays 2.00pm to 5.00pm (Not August BankHoliday).

Violette Szabo Museum

This museum has been painstakingly created inmemory of this undoubted heroine, in celebra-tion of her bravery in missions with the SpecialOperations Executive before her untimely deathat the age of 23 in 1945. Violette Szabo wasimmortalised in the film Carve Her Name WithPride.

To make an appointment, confirm a visit or forfurther enquiries please call Miss RosemaryRigby on 01981 540477

Cartref, Tump Lane, Wormelow, HR2 8HNOpening times April – October Wednesday11am – 1pm & 2pm - 4pm or by appointment

Please confirm a visit before travelling

Hereford Light Infantry Museum

Signpost - page 45

Signpost - page 46

Belmont AbbeyBelmont Abbey is a community of about 45Benedictine monks, with buildings designed byE W Pugin and founded in 1859. The Abbeychurch is open to the public, houses fine stainedglass and other interesting artefacts and hasundergone extensive renovation. Tours of theAbbey gardens and some other rooms at theabbey can also be arranged.

The monks attend the Abbey church five times aday. The public are welcome to attend theseservices. Refreshments are available in theAbbey’s guest house, Hedley Lodge and CDs ofthe monks singing and music, guidebooks andrelated material can be obtained from theBookshop and Information centre

Hereford, HR2 9RZ01432 374747Open: all year, free accesswww.belmontabbbey.org.uk

Mappa Mundi is exhibited alongside the world-famous Chained Library. The Cathedral’s bookcollection was chained to its shelves as a securi-ty measure over 400 years ago and there are fas-cinating medieval manuscripts and printedbooks which feature in temporary exhibitions inthe Library.

5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford,HR1 2NG, Telephone 01432 374226March – OctoberMonday - Saturday 10am - 4.30pmOctober – EasterMonday – Saturday 10am - 4pmSunday opening 3 May – 30 August 11am -3.30pm

Please check times before you visitwww.herefordcathedral.org

St John’s Medieval Museum &Coningsby Hospital

The Coningsby site offers so much more thanmight be expected with the restored 13thCentury Chapel of the Order of St John, the StJohn Medieval Museum, a replica hospital forConingsby Servitors, a ruin of part of the

Blackfriars Monastery plus an attractive rose gar-den and 14th Century Preaching Cross, all givinga fascinating insight into the history of the site,its inhabitants and associates through the build-ings themselves and exhibits on show.

Opening times April - October Monday,Wednesday and Saturday 11am – 3pm. Grouptours by appointment all year. Chapel services1st Tuesday each month.

Telephone 01432 274903

Herefordshire Society ofModel Engineers

The society was started in Hereford in 1962,with the aim of building a miniature railway. Thesociety has grown over the years and now has itsown multi-purpose site at Broomy Hill, cateringfor all forms of model engineering.

Situated adjacent to the Waterworks Museum, avisit to Broomy Hill on one of the “PublicRunning Days”, makes for an enjoyable day forall the family. There is plenty of space for park-ing and pleasant surroundings to enjoy a picnic.

Broomy Hill, Hereford, HR4 0LJOpening times see www.hsme.co.uk

The Time Machine MuseumVisit this amazing place where you step into theTardis and you are transported to an extensiveand exciting display of TV, film, science fictionand rare and collectable toys of yesteryear, fea-turing Dr Who and including Thunderbirds,Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Supercar, Star Wars,dolls, pedal cars, railways, Disney and so muchmore!

www.timemachineuk.com

12 The Square, Bromyard, HR7 4BPTelephone 01885 488329

Opening times: April-September daily10.30am – 5pm. October–MarchWednesday–Sunday 11am–4pmPlus Bank Holidays and school Half TermHoliday. Not open Christmas, Boxing and NewYears day.

Hereford Cathedral - MappaMundi & Chained Library

Hereford Cathedral is fortunate to care for twoimportant historical treasures. Mappa Mundi is alate thirteenth-century map of the world and is apictorial encyclopaedia. It is adorned by strangebeasts and other characters that tell stories fromthe bible and classical myth. With Jerusalem atthe centre, it provides a unique insight into themedieval mind.

Signpost - page 47

It also describes their inception as theHerefordshire Rifle Volunteers raised in 1860,and in more modern times, their involvement inthe arrest of Admiral Doenitz at the end of TheMuseum contains a collection of objects fromthe Napoleonic period as well as unifroms andmedals associated with the regiments raised inHerefordshire

Harold Street, Hereford, HR1 2QXTelephone 01432 870420Opening times by appointment only

Every museumEvery museumneeds volunteers !needs volunteers !

For younger guests there are Shire Horse DrayRides (ring first for availability), a Traditional &Rare Breeds Farm Park (open Easter until theend of September), and a Children’s Playground,making it a special day out for all the family.

Open all year round, 7 days week.Mondays to Fridays 9.00am – 4.30pmSaturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays10.00am – 4.00pm(Please note opening times over Christmas mayvary. Please check the website or phone fordetails.)

Children’s Play Area and Henry WestonCourtyard Garden: free of charge

Cider Tours (daily at 11am, 12.30pm and2.30pm): Please check the website, [email protected] or phone 01531660108 for details.

The Bounds, Much Marcle, Ledbury,Herefordshire, HR8 2NQTelephone 01531 660108www.westons-cider.co.uk

Visitor Centre 2011

Deep in the heart of the Herefordshire country-side Westons Cider is situated in the village ofMuch Marcle. Nestling on a gentle hillsideamongst apple and perry pear orchards “TheBounds”, with its 400 year old farmhouse, is thecentre piece to a unique day out that has some-thing to offer everybody.

Join a tour around the cider mill and be treatedto a thorough history lesson. Hear how cider isproduced, from the planting of the orchards tothe moment the cider is poured into a glass.Step back in time as you experience the tranquiland fragrant vat sheds housing historic oak vats,some nearly 200 years old and all still used.

All tours end with a FREE tasting (adults only).Over thirty products are on offer, each with aunique taste sensation: cloudy or clear, sweet ordry, still or sparkling, strong, low alcohol, ororganic. The choice is yours!!

Complete the experience with a visit to the ciderand gift shops, where you can purchase yourfavourite cider or a gift for a family member orfriend, stroll through the award winning HenryWeston Courtyard Garden and into the BottleMuseum Tearoom. Here you can admire over1,000 different cider bottles whilst enjoying alight snack or delicious cream tea. Alternativelyyou may opt for a meal in the Scrumpy HouseRestaurant-café, which serves delicious food all-day and uses the finest local produce.

WESTONS CIDER


Signpost - page 50

Do you know the correct way to run a bath?How can you trap insects with a turnip? Whatwas the first thing Queen Victoria did after hercoronation? These and many other questionsare answered on the new Judge’s Lodging web-site. This Victorian museum in Presteigne haslong had a reputation for liking the quirkierside of history, so the new site is packed withhandy hints the Victorian way, recipes for ice-cream and jelly, strange facts, along with infor-mation about the building and learningresources. Visit it and you will be guaranteed tofind something to fascinate.

Visit the museum itself and you will be in foran even bigger treat, for this award-winninghistoric judge’s accommodation and courtoffers a most unusual journey back in time.Wander through the judge’s private apartments

and make yourself at home, for The Judge’sLodging an historic house with a difference –you can touch! You can lie on the beds, read thejudge’s books and even pump water in thekitchen. Below stairs there is the full range ofservants’ rooms to explore, with kitchens, sleep-ing quarters and workrooms; a whole gaslitworld to discover. The tour is finished by a tripto the vast echoing courtroom, where you arehaunted by the echoes of trials long since con-cluded. You are guided through this Victorianworld by an eavesdropping’ audiotour featuringthe voice of actor Robert Hardy.

If you have children to entertain, you don’t haveto worry about being told off every time theymove, because the building is family-friendly.They have their own activities and guidebook tohelp them explore … and 2011 is a perfect timefor them to experience all this as the museumhas just made its admission for children evencheaper!

2011 is an exciting time at The Judge’s Lodging,as it plans to start unveiling its extensive localhistory collection. With a permanent area on thetown and the rural communities surrounding itdue to open late summer, there will be a compli-menting new temporary exhibition gallery, fea-turing a varied programme of displays and anexciting events programme to match.

You may also spot the museum on TV, as itplayed host to Welsh channel S4C throughoutlast year to film their new history series onVictorian living. Filming ranged from the gross

to the hilarious. With a parrot learning to talkWelsh, tests on fire-retardant nightdresses, elab-orate cooking experiments (one causing resi-dents to actually complain of the smell!), make-up tips the Victorian way and much more.

For any information on the museum and any ofits activities, visit the website or just call the staffwho are always happy to chat.

Telephone 01544 260650www.judgeslodging.org.uk

THE JUDGE’S LODGING

Servants Hall

S4C - Byw yn Ol y Llyfr - Nadolig

In and around Worcester the Arts are well rep-resented by the city’s museums and galleries(Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum),while those with a thirst for local history will notbe disappointed. Medical history (GeorgeMarshall Medical Museum) and even a(Worcester Museum of Freemasonry) makeunusual and fascinating additions toWorcestershire’s museums offer.

Why not discover more about howWorcestershire has been shaped by enterprise?Carpet making and forging mills (ChurchillForge / Forge Mill Needle Museum), saltextraction and craftsmanship on an internation-al scale have all been prominent features ofWorcestershire’s history. Transport enthusiastswill be delighted by the county’s transport muse-ums (The Transport Museum, Wythall/Kidderminster Railway Museum) while the

daily lives of ordinary people from all socialbackgrounds can also be investigated(Worcestershire County Museum,Hartlebury / The Commandery).

Those museums mentioned are just a smallselection – there are many others. Whetheryou're a first time visitor or a regular explorer ofthe county, take a closer look at Worcestershire’smuseums – you'll be surprised by what you canfind.

Worcestershire has a long and fascinating histo-ry that the museums and heritage attractions ofthis "most English of counties" are proud toshare with you.

From the rich industrial heritage of the north,including the world renowned “carpet town” ofKidderminster (The Weaving Shed, CarpetMuseum Kidderminster), through the majesticcounty town of Worcester to the rural south,abounding in natural beauty, Worcestershire'smuseums offer you tantalising glimpses of locallife and art told through a wealth of fascinatingobjects and characters (e.g. WorcesterPorcelain Museum /Elgar BirthplaceMuseum).

You can explore the unique features andastounding individuals of the county or beinspired by a new view of universal themes suchas transport and architecture (AvoncroftMuseum of Historic Buildings).

There truly is something for everyone inWorcestershire’s museums. Whether you wantintellectual stimulation, to indulge a passion orare simply looking to spend a fun day withfriends and family, museums in Worcestershiresupply expert knowledge, captivating exhibi-tions, exciting events and family-focussedactivities.


WORCESTERSHIRE’SMUSEUMS

Whether you are looking for a fun family dayout, a chance to learn something new, a peacefulstroll through nature or just a nice cup of teaand a cake Worcestershire County Museum hasit all. The County Museum, housed in historicHartlebury Castle, home to the Bishops ofWorcester for over 1000 years, is a fascinatingplace to explore. The museum collectionsinclude toys, domestic items, costume andtransport and our newest galleries look at thewonders of Worcestershire, the history of thecounty's farming and agriculture and theimportance of water to the region. Visitors canalso explore room sets such as the Schoolroom,Nursery, Victorian and Civil War rooms.

The Castle Kitchen café serves a variety ofhomemade dishes, light lunches and temptingcakes in the atmospheric Castle Kitchen.Visitors can also choose to eat in the Orchardpicnic area or let off steam in Old Moat Coppicenature reserve. The Museum also has a lovelygift shop which sells a fantastic range of cardsand gifts as well as contemporary craft itemsfrom the Worcestershire Guild of DesignerCraftsman.

In 2011 the museum will be hosting several exhi-bitions. From January until mid May there willbe From Ration Books to Rolling Stones - Rock andRoll yourself back to the iconic '50s and '60s toexplore two decades of great social change. Anostalgic exhibition that illustrates a changingworld through the experience of childhood, thehome, cultural icons and fashions. Then fromthe end of May until Spring 2012 the exhibitionFamily at War -Discover the world of the Lawleyfamily in 1942 and learn about life on the HomeFront in Worcestershire. Find out aboutrationing, the Home Guard, evacuees and localhospital camps as you explore how the averagefamily did their bit to keep the country running,support those on the front line and ensurevictory for the Allies.

Also, for 2011 Museum visitors will be able tosee the Castle's State Rooms, the magnificentGreat Hall and Saloon (included in the normalentry price from 1 April - 30 September).

The museum also offers a varied events pro-gramme providing fun and informative days outfor all the family, including kids activity days, aFestival of Transport, Murder Mystery nights,Christmas weekends and many more ...

Don’t miss the programme of walks and talksabout a range of fascinating subjects linked tothe Castle and Museum. There will also be aseries of arts and crafts workshop allowing youto get creative and learn new skills. For furtherdetails :

Telephone 01299 250416.Email [email protected]/museum

WORCESTERSHIRE

COUNTY MUSEUM

The Georgian Saloon

Signpost - page 54

The Great Hall

Signpost - page 55


Open the door on history!

Avoncroft Museum is a unique home forhistoric buildings which have been rescued fromdemolition and rebuilt in a beautifulcorner of Worcestershire’s rural countryside.

Explore the winding pathways of this tranquilopen-air site and discover the secret histories ofthe people of the West Midland’s through thecollection of regional buildings in which theylived, played, worked and worshipped.

Avoncroft Edwardian TeaRoom

Visit the new Edwardian Tea Room for a won-derful lunch or afternoon tea on your visit.There is a variety of great tasting food availablewhich is locally sourced where possible. Forthose with a sweet tooth there is a large range ofcakes and as an insider though the best cake ofall is Nick’s homemade Caramel Shortcakewhich just melts in your mouth and is alreadybuilding a loyal following!

What will you see?

The collection includes houses, farm buildingsand machinery including a working windmill,industrial workshops, a tin chapel, prison cellblock and the biggest collection of historic tele-phone boxes in the country. All the buildings areopen for you to go inside and explore. Aroundthe site you’ll also find a traditional ciderorchard, gardens, a farm pond, model railway,wildflower meadow and play areas as well asplenty of open space for either relaxing,picnicking or letting off steam.

Free Parking – Shop – Picnic Area – Tea Room– Play Area

Telephone 01527 831363www.avoncroft.org.uk

AVONCROFT MUSEUM

The Georgian Gallery

On the ground floor, the first part of theGeorgian Gallery introduces us to the earliestporcelain made in Worcester in the 1750's.Bright coloured painting, in Oriental andEuropean style, blue and white and black print-ed wares dominated the first decade of produc-tion at Warmstry House. Moving on past a roomwith a table set for dessert, a fine collection ofLondon decorated porcelain forms the centre-piece to the main gallery, encircled with otherremarkable displays of Scale blue, Imari waresand miniatures in a large doll's house. The finalsection of the gallery is devoted to the glam-orous productions of the Warmstry factorywhen it was owned by the Flight and Barr fami-lies during the late 18th century and the Regencyperiod.

The Victorian Gallery

On the first floor, The Victorian Gallery housesporcelain made at the Severn Street factory,starting with armorial and cabinet wares made byChamberlain. A small section displays waresmade by the Grainger factory and the main partof the gallery, concentrates on the early produc-tions of Royal Worcester. The central space isdominated by the intricate enamel work ofThomas Bott, flanked by decorative and usefulobjects in almost every known style and materi-al, including one off exhibition pieces such asthe Shakespeare Service and the Painter's vases.Passing the enormous Chicago Exhibition vase,the next display illustrates the marvels of thepierced work of George Owen. The final dis-play, a cluttered Victorian parlour, illustrateshow, by the end of the 19th century, porcelainwas used to make almost every type of objectimaginable.

The Twentieth Century Gallery

The Twentieth Century Gallery illustrates howalthough traditional styles continued the chang-ing world brought new challenges. Industrial

ceramics for schools and hospitals were devel-oped as part of the war effort. Technicaladvances permitted the production of ever morecomplex bone china models of birds, horses andmilitary figures. From the 1930's the hugedemand for small figurines resulted in the pro-duction of a large range of models of children,dogs and elegant ladies. But the most dramaticchange was the introduction of tableware, usedfor a more casual style of living, and that couldbe used in the oven, freezer and microwave.

Signpost - page 59

The Worcester Porcelain Museum houses theworld's largest collection of WorcesterPorcelain. The museum nestles amidst Victorianfactory buildings in the heart of historicWorcester, within easy walking distance of theRiver Severn, the Cathedral and the City centre.

The collections date back to 1751 when shapesand patterns were copied from the Far East foruse in the homes of the very rich.

Travel on a design journey through time and seethe worlds largest collection of WorcesterPorelain displayed in room settings and vignettesin the Georgian, Victorian and 20th century gal-leries. An informative and entertaining audiotour featuring Henry Sandon and skilled crafts-men, tells the story of the factory’s history, itstalented workforce and everyday life. The audiotour is free with entry and with a FascinatingFacts trail combines to make the museum afavourite family choice

Signpost - page 58

WORCESTER

PORCELAIN MUSEUM

Georgian Room Display c. 1770

Jewelled teapot from the Dudley Service 1865


For groups visiting the museum it is well worthbooking the Behind The Scenes Visit: this isfor pre booked groups of 12 and over, andincludes a personal welcome and introductorytalk by a member of staff, a chance to view atfirst hand some of the items in the china andarchive stores and listen to recordings of thewonderful memories of past workers at theRoyal Worcester Factory. The behind the scenesvisit also includes entrance to the museum.

Every Wednesday, with the exception of Augustvolunteer conservators from the NationalAssociation of Decorative and Fine Arts can befound cleaning and restoring the Museum’s

extensive archive collection in the galleries wherethey are happy to talk about their skills and themagnificent books they preserve.

The Fascinating Facts tour has been especiallydesigned for families and gives an intriguinginsight to factory life and practices and buddingnew designers are encouraged to gain inspirationfrom patterns in the Royal Worcester archivesand decorate their own plate designs on sheetsof paper marked into wedge shaped sectionsthat can be inserted between two angled mirrorsenabling the complete pattern to be reflected inthe round at our work station in the 20 centurygallery!

The Museum also hosts an exciting programmeof exhibitions and activities ranging from twohigh quality Antique Ceramic Fairs each year, aseries of Afternoon Teas served on the verybest china, Open Days and family activity daysbookings for private hire, celebration dinnersand receptions are also welcome.

The Worcester Porcelain Museum shop‘Chamberlains’ specialises in selling a wide andever changing range of ‘vintage’ and antiqueWorcester that was made here on the factorysite. It is also proud to offer unique new itemsdecorated by highly skilled past factory artistsand gilders, who can be found working in themuseum galleries regularly during the holidayseason, please ring for details.

Opening Times:Summer: Easter to 31 October10:00 am - 5.00 pm Monday - Saturday,closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Winter: 1 November - Easter10.30 am - 4.00 pm Tuesday - Saturday,closed Sundays, Mondays & Bank Holidays.

Telephone 01905 21247www.worcesterporcelainmuseum.org

Your visit begins with a warm welcome at ourVisitor Centre. Here you can watch the freevideo and pick up your free audio guide with anintroduction to the museum by world-renownedmezzo- soprano Dame Janet Baker. The dis-plays begin in the Centre with a chronologicalaccount of Elgar’s musical life and achieve-ments. Items on show include musical manu-scripts, period concert programmes, handwrittenletters and family and official photographs. Inthe picturesque Birthplace Cottage you can seeElgar’s desk laid out with many personal items;discover his varied hobbies and his extensivetravels abroad. You can also join Elgar in thedelightful cottage garden as he takes in the viewtowards the Malvern Hills.

To complete your visit there is a shop with anunrivalled range of CDs and souvenirs.

There is plenty for music lovers to see andElgar’s music will accompany you throughoutthe visit. The Museum will also appeal to visitorsinterested in social history as Elgar’s life inEdwardian and Victorian England is explored.

Varied events including talks, concerts and exhi-bitions take place throughout the year in theCarice Elgar Room which is also available forprivate hire.

Groups are welcome at the Museum and specialbenefits are in place to make your group visitunique. There are Joint Visits with other localtourist attractions in the area and bespoke visitsbased around the Museum and Elgar.

The Museum is open daily 11am -5pm (lastadmission 4.15pm). Closed 24th December2011 to 31st January 2012 inclusive.

For more informationTelephone 01905 333224Web www.elgarmuseum.orgAlso : twitter www.twitter.com/elgarbirthplacefacebook www.facebook.com/elgarbirthplace

THE ELGAR BIRTHPLACE

MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTRE

The Men Painters Department c. 1900

Royal Worcester's famous Painted Fruit ware c. 1990


the founding meeting of the SVR in theCoopers Arms pub in Kidderminster.

It is a very accessible visitor centre with some-thing for the whole family; there are baby-chang-ing facilities, an outdoor play area and a very spa-cious outdoor picnic table area. Don’t forget tovisit Buffers Cafe Restaurant and watch thetrains go by as you eat at a table on the spaciousoutdoor balcony, which has great views of thevalley, the river and the railway!

Make sure you break your journey there andspend some time at The Engine House atHighley – when it is combined with a relaxingjourney along the whole Severn Valley Railway, itmakes for a great day out on the line !

Special Events 2011

• Land Rover Line Up - May 15th• The Sounds of the 1960s - May 20th - 22nd• 1940s Weekends - June 25/26th & July 2/3rd• The Great Train Dance - July 23rd• Severn Valley in Bloom - July 23rd - 24th• Seaside Special - August 27th -29th• On the Buses - September 18th•Autumn Steam Gala - September 23rd - 25th• Diesel Enthusiasts Gala - October 6th - 8th• Classic Car and Bike Day - October 9th• Take the Ghost Train - October 22nd - 30th• Remembrance Day Service - November 13th• Santa Steam Specials - December 3rd, 4th,10th, 11th, 17th, 18th & 24th

Telephone 01299-403816 for the SVR:or 01746-862387 for The Engine House:Visit www.svr.co.uk

It’s amazing how quickly a new attraction canseem as though it has been there for years. Thisis clearly the case with The Engine House, theVisitor & Education Centre at Highley on theSevern Valley Railway. Although it actually onlyopened at Easter 2008, it has already become anessential part of a visit to the Railway.

The SVR celebrated it’s 40th anniversary lastyear and on May 23rd, it was 40 years to the daywhen the first public steam train departed fromBridgnorth for the then terminus at HamptonLoade. There were various celebratory eventsduring the year and The Engine House played afull part in them, including hosting displays andexhibitions marking this remarkable milestone.

The Engine House

Perhaps the most surprising exhibit is the firstitem you see. At the entrance sits a MorrisMinor, which although it seems incongruous,actually acts as a reminder of the role of themotor car in the demise of the railway branchline. The building can house up to 10 locomo-tives which are displayed long with special soundeffects and dry ice. You can explore the engines- there is even wheelchair access to one of them- and both from the gallery above, and fromground level (which is actually below the normalplatform height) you can really appreciate thesize and power of these engines.

Other exhibits inside include an illustration ofthe restoration work, an explanation of how asteam locomotives works and a re-creation of

THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY AND

THE ENGINE HOUSE AT HIGHLEY

BBuuss SSeerrvv ii ccee : 125 - BRIDGNORTH - KIDDERMINSTER436 - BRIDGNORTH - SHREWSBURY

View from the upstairs balconyat The Engine House

Approaching the Engine House at Highley

© Debbie Piggott

© Debbie Piggott

Signpost - page 64

The Spaceguard Centre is a working astronomi-cal observatory that specialises in Near EarthObjects (NEOs); asteroids and comets thatcould potentially hit the Earth. You might haveseen the movies “Deep Impact” and“Armageddon”, but the threat of NEOs hittingthe Earth is more real than most people realise.The Spaceguard Centre offers the opportunityfor people to visit and find out about the possi-bility of a genuine “Deep Impact”, and what wecan do to stop such an event.

A guided tour takes you around all of the facili-ties at the Spaceguard Centre, looking at what wedo, why we do it and how. You will learn aboutthe threat that asteroids and comets pose to theEarth and how we could protect not just our-selves but all life on the planet.

We have a unique indoor observatory with a 13inch telescope and a robotic telescope systemcapable of tracking asteroids and comets thatcould be a threat to the Earth. We also have asmall planetarium and an orrery. There are manymore fascinating exhibits such as meteorites and

samples from impact craters. The SpaceguardCentre is an intriguing place and a great day outfor anyone.

There are conducted tours of the Centre everyday except Mondays and Tuesdays (we are openon Bank Holidays though) at 10.30 am (May toSeptember only), 2 pm and 4 pm. Tours last forabout 1 ½ hours and cost £6 for adults and £3for children (under 15). We advise visitors toring ahead, just to make sure that we have placesof the relevant tour, as we can only take limitednumbers (25). School parties are welcome byprior arrangement.

Telephone 01547 520247e-mail: [email protected]://www.spaceguarduk.com

THE

SPACEGUARD

CENTRE

Documents

2011 Herefordshire & Worcestershire Signpost Magazine