Hurley & Bridgenorth

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April was a busy month in 2011. We had to catch up with being away in March and then we had double four day weekends with Easter and the Royal Wedding.   Eventually, in May we managed to get away again, first to Hurley (near Henley-on Thames) and then north to Bridgenorth in Shropshire.  The weather leading up to our departure had been wonderful with hot sunny days and clear skies.  Of course, all that changed as soon as we were on the road!

 

Riverside Camping at Hurley was a very lovely site and was indeed ‘riverside’. You just had to walk a few yards through a hole in the hedge and you were on the south bank of the Thames.  The river here is particularly pretty and with the fresh green foliage of May it looked wonderful. From the campsite you can walk or cycle into Marlow (downstream) or Henley Upon Thames (upstream).

Our first outing, on a rather rainy day, was to visit the model village of Bekonscot in Beaconsfield.  We had seen model villages before but this one really is quite spectacular. It is extensive and a huge amount of work has gone into the many different cameos which make up the large site.

A gauge 1 model railway runs throughout, even on wet days!

Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

The Hurley Riverside Campsite is beautiful and has won many awards.

Below is a view of the riverbank just a few metres walk from our pitch.

We were joined at Hurley, by our friends, Bob and Caroline with their newly acquired Burstner.  The weather became sunny and very warm and we enjoyed both breakfast and dinner al fresco!

Cycling trip, along the Thames towpath, to Marlow

Marlow Church with stormy skies

This is a beautiful steam launch which was being put in the water after being restored.

Built over a century ago, apparently it has quite a turn of speed and will give most motorised launches a good run for their money!

The Old Bell in Hurley village allegedly dates back to 12th century.  Sadly, the beer prices were very much 21st century. This is a ‘have a look but do not buy’ pub!

Henley on Thames is just a short distance west of Hurley. An easy cycle ride or take the bus. Henley is a lovely riverside town with plenty of fascinating, chic shops for the girls to explore.

The Rising Sun in Hurley is much better value and serve the most amazing fish and chips on a Friday evening.  An event not to be missed and just a 10 minute cycle ride from the campsite.  Allow a extra minutes to wobble back after a few excellent local ales!

We would have been happy to spend some more time at Hurley but it was time to say goodbye to Bob and Caroline and for us to head north to Shropshire and to the Caravan Club site at Stanmore Hall in Bridgenorth.

This site had received brilliant reviews in the caravan and camping press but we were disappointed.  Yes it has a lake, yes it is in the grounds of the Hall, yes the facilities are excellent but somehow it just didn’t do it for us.

 

 

Stanmore Hall  CC site

We explored the town/s of Bridgenorth which are pretty and interesting.  There is an upper and a lower town but all called Bridgenorth.

River Severn at Bridgenorth

A very old house and an oldish man in the lower town

Character properties in the upper town which is the main shopping area.

We had a culture day visiting Attingham Park and Wroxeter.  Attingham Park, a National Trust property, was built in 1785 and beautifully maintained by NT.

Wroxeter is the ruins of the Roman city which was the fourth largest in Roman Britain and is now maintained by English Heritage. There is quite a bit to see and a very good audio guide of the site. There are also some buildings which have been restored to what is considered to be their original design using only those tools and techniques which were available in Roman times.

On the left Attingham Park and above a restored Roman villa.

Of course, George could not visit Bridgenorth without paying a visit to the Severn Valley Railway and this time to Highley station and the locomotive sheds.