Cambridgeshire Gardens

On Saturday I went to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The garden was created for Cambridge University in 1831 by Professor John Stevens Henlow (who was Darwin's mentor) the garden was opened to the public in 1846.

It's a nice play to visit  and I will have to return (I last went 10 years ago)

On a Sunday I went to Anglesey Abbey which I visit a lot. The house was originally a priory but the garden was laid out by the 1st Baron Fairhaven in the 1930's. The garden is well worth a visit there is year round interest.

Essex Churches

Well happy new year! I hope you've had a good Christmas and New Year.

Other than being at work I've spent the holidays with my Dad. Its been a quiet period and I have visit a number of Essex churches which I'll share here

This is Berechurch in the care of the excellent Churches Conservation Trust. The church (now known as Audley House) is used as offices but the chancel is still consecrated.

The village of Willingale is fairly close to where I live. It is unusual in have two churches in the same churchyard. Willingale was once two parishes, Willingale Doe and Spain. No one really knows why although the most logical one is that the orginal church was built by Harvey D'Espania (Willingale Spain) and in the 14th century the increase in the Wool trade meant that the church was too small and a new one was built by the D'ou family (Willingale Doe) who had come to live in Willingale. The churches were separated until 1929 with two rectors. Today St Andrew (Spain) is redundant and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust

 This is St Christopher's with which St Andrew's shares its churchyard.

It was a dull day when I visited Finchingfield and Thaxted.

St John the Baptist, Finchinfield.

St John the Baptist, Thaxted.

St Mary, Little Easton

St Mary, Little Sampford.

Southwold

I went to the town of Southwold last October.

Now I like Southwold. It feels a lot like and old fashioned seaside town. It generally has escaped the big brands coming into it (I was surprised to find a Costa), there are a couple of kiosks along the front that look decent cafes. I accept it is a little up market but it feels different and I approve of that.

St Edmund's church... well worth a visit! 

Kilburn and St Augustine's Church

I went to Kilburn yesterday to visit J L Pearson's gothic revival masterpiece church St Augustine's.

I was also impressed with Kilburn Park Underground station

Kedleston Hall

Kedleston Hall was built by Robert Adam for the Curzon family who have owned the estate since the 13th century in 1759.

It's a lovely place for a walk and to sit and watch the world go by.