Kinver Edge

Kinver Edge is a sandstone ridge with views across the counties. It is also famous for the Holy Austin Rock Houses which were used as recently as the 1950's. 

To view the photographs of Kinver Edge click here or view on You Tube

Kinver Edge, Wardens Lodge, Kinver, Nr. Stourbridge, DY7 6HU. Tel:01384 872418

Hatton Country World

Hatton Country World combines the best of select shopping and leisure. The shopping facilities at Hatton Country World contain shops that have, and maintain, unique crafts and craft work using traditional methods. There are also 20 antique shops, adequate restaurant facilities and a butchers shop where you can buy fresh game meat and poultry depending on the season. The Country Village has free parking and the small shops are a treat to walk round.

The Farm Park does have an entrance charge but there is plenty to do and see for the children. With many farm animals the park has a host of smaller attractions and games to help keep the kids amused. This is a great place for a family day out. Smaller children will love feeding the animals which range from guinea pigs, falcons and rabbits through to horses, pigs and goats of many varieties.

Other facilities on site include a soft play centre and a public house.

Further information about Hatton Country World can be obtained by visiting their website at www.hattonworld.com

Hawkstone Park

Hawkstone Park is a wonderful place to visit for a good traditional family day out. It holds several themed events throughout the year but Hawkstone Park Follies is more than just a park. This year it was placed 14th in the Sunday Times ‘Britain’s Best 50 Days Out feature. Surprisingly, quite a few people from the West Midlands are unaware of its very existence.

When Samuel Johson wrote about the Follies of Hawkstone Park in 1774 he described it as a park with ‘Striking scenes and terrific grandeur. The same is true today and little will have changed in this fantasy land of natural cliffs, caves and woodland.

The Follies had fallen into years of neglect but were restored and opened again in 1993. English Heritage named it as Family Attraction of the Year in 2004. A walk around the park features places with names such as Grotto Hill, a network of old mines cut deep into the cliff face. Swiss Bridge perched high over a deep gorge, and the Monument, a large 100 foot high column on top of the hill with views across spectacular countryside.

Twisting and windy paths along the cliff face take the walker to various tunnels and structures that will keep the kids amused for hours. Children and adults alike will find this park magical and full of adventure. Let them run around and enjoy themselves. Some of the routes are fairly steep and pushchairs, the elderly, or very young children may struggle negotiating the route. The guide recommends allowing three hours but you could easily make a day of this if you took a picnic lunch and explored everything in a leisurely manner.

There are picnic tables available and refreshments on route with a dedicated cafeteria near the entrance at the Greenhouse Tearoom and Visitor Centre.

Nearby places might include Haughmond Hill Abbey and Attingham Park. Reviews on both of these places can be found on the website ( use the search box ) Hawkstone Park Follies also has a Gold Course and a Hotel.

The landscaped grounds of Hawkstone Park were originally established by Richard Hill of Hawkstone in 1655 and then developed by subsequent members of the Hill family. Sir Rowland Hill of Hawkstone ( 1705-1783 ) was mainly responsible for the works on the estate. Hawkstone Park is now being restored and is protected as a Grade I historic park.

Hawkstone Park, Weston-Under-Redcastle, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY4 5UY. 

Tel: 01948 841700

For more photographs of Hawkstone Park click here or view on You Tube

Attingham Park

Built in 1785 for the 1st Lord Berwick. The property features a picture gallery by John Nash and collections of silver, Italian furniture and Grand Tour Paintings. There is a Deer Park with walks alongside the river Tern. 

For more photographs of Attingham Park click here or view on You Tube

 

Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, SY4 4TP. Tel: 01743 708123

Berrington Hall

The Berrington Estate was purchased from the Cornwall family in 1775 by Thomas Harley, a banker in the City of London. The grounds are by 'Capability Brown. Berrington Hall is set over a beautiful valley. The interior of Berrington Hall has decorated ceilings and fabulous collections of furniture, paintings and everyday items of Victorian life. There is an attractive walled garden.
 
The old saying 'death and taxes' would be quite appropriate for Berrington Hall. In 1957 the property was handed over to the treasury in payment of death duties. Presumably the Treasury, at a loss with what to do with it promptly handed it over to the National Trust. 

For photographs of Berrington Hall & grounds click here or view on You Tube
 

Berrington Hall, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 ODW. Tel: 01568 615721