Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate

A 17th-century Cotswold country estate

Lodge Park was built byJohn 'Crump' Dutton in the 17th-century. It became the National Trust's first restoration project in 1998 and relied on archaeological evidence to return the building to its former glory. It's situated approximately two and a half miles from the village of Sherborne and the wider Sherborne estate, the other side of the A40.

 

stopped to chat with a local - lost the tip of his nose since last I saw him :-/

Sherborne is a working estate and has an abundance of wildlife, from fallow and roe deer to badgers and foxes. Ewe Pen Barn is the starting point for Lodge Park's three main walking routes: Short Woodland Stroll; Family Fun Walk and Historic Farmland Hike - which we completed, though a bit damp underfoot through the 18th-century water meadows near the Windrush.

Ewe Pen Barn

 

water meadow

At its centre, close to the village, is a wonderful and very popular village shop and tea rooms, well worth a visit.

Valentines Glamp

We like to do different things for Valentines. We have stopped at many quirky Landmark Trust properties over the years but this year we went glamping in a yurt in Wales. The yurt was amazing, one of three in a secluded location just over the border from Shrewsbury. The decor was stylish, the large kingsize bed well comfy and the log burner with its long flu kept us warm without the smoky smell :)

 

The central block, with its under floor heating had a luxurious kitchen and separate shower/toilet room around a communal sauna put the glam in glamping. The outdoor hot tub was an added delight.

 

On the way we stopped for refreshment at a quirky cafe in Welshpool, the Bay Tree, well worth a stop over if you're in that direction. Memorableia covering every wall and the ceiling, and some lovely plaques.

Also strolled the equally quirky market in Welshpool.

Amongst the many easy to reach walks the most picturesque was the lakeside walks at Vyrnyn. The snow flurries making the views even more picturesque and more than a little romantic ;) We walked from Artisans at the southern end and took in the wonderful Rhiwargor Waterfall at the north end, though this was eclipse by the spectacular Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall – the largest in Wales/England.

 

Past the visitors centre, at the south end of the lake, near the dam was a once extensive sculpture trail but apart from a handful of exhibits the weather and termites have done for much of the work :-/

Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake

Crickley Hill is a prominent spur of the Cotswold escarpment. It overlooks the Severn Vale, with magnificent views towards Robinswood Hill and May Hill, and the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountain in Wales beyond.

There is evidence of human activity on the hill going back to 4,000 BC. The area called the Scrubbs takes its name from the brushwood that existed before the planting of the present beech woodland in the 18th century.

In 1974 it was declared an area of outstanding natural beauty. The site supports several types of grassland and the turf contains many lime-loving herbs. There are several species of orchid recorded such as Early Purple Orchid, Bee Orchid, and Musk Orchid. The site includes the Scrubbs and Crickley Woods which are areas of mature Beech woodland with regenerating Beech and Ash and Short Wood is an area of Oak parkland. The scarp slopes provide basking areas for Adders.

There is evidence of settlements over 5000 years old. As the soil is thin on the Hill the evidence lies close to the surface under the grassland. Findings point to occupation by humans over 4000 years (Neolithic period) to a post-Roman period.