Scotney Castle National Trust

A few weeks ago I took my son to Tunbridge Wells so that he could do a days workshop, which meant I had the whole day to myself. I was really looking forward to it and planned to visit a National Trust, poodle around a village or two and have lunch.

After some research I couldn't really find too much in the immediate vicinity that tempted me, so I booked a morning and afternoon parking slot at Scotney Castle and a table at a lovely little cafe in Brenchley for lunch.

It was a very grey day but luckily no rain.

I took my sketch book with me and sat for a long time before actually putting pen to paper, scared anyone passing would sneak a peak, but I really did enjoy the time spent sketching and painting.

Lunch was lovely at the Little Bull Cafe but extremely fast, I'd barely sat down and my order was in. Although it was delicious it all felt a bit of a rush which was a shame.

Avocado and halloumi on sour dough toast

After lunch I went back to Scotney Castle for a look inside the castle itself.

A long day, quite lonely but nice day.

Kington, Eardisland, Berrington Hall

The late summer heat wave is scuppering our exploring, it's just so hot. We spend our mornings at breakfast deciding where we could go for the day to find shade.

On Tuesday morning we popped out to Kington. We came across the Kat and Fiddle Studio who I happened to already follow on instagram. I spent a little while chatting to the artist Kathryn Moore who produces beautiful works in paint and collage. After that the heat pushed us back into the car for some air con, but not before Roy managed to walk into dog poo with not just one but both of his walking sandals. What we think of people who don't pick up after their dogs would be another rant for another day.

Kington main road

Not the most pleasant of drives back, with all windows open, until we could stop and give his shoes a proper wash in the river, whilst we ate our preprepared picnic in the shade.

After lunch we took a walk around Eardisland, visited another studio of a local resident and headed round to see the church. The amount of time I have spent inside churches on this holiday, especially as a non-church goer, is ridiculous. Not only are they cool inside, but so calming which for one reason or another I am in great need of at this time. I think we've visited a different church in a different town/village nearly every day.

St Marys Church, Eardisland

Wednesday was another scorcher, so we took a picnic and headed off to Berrington Hall National Trust. A stunning building in beautiful surroundings, with lovely big trees to hide under in the blissful shade.

Croft Castle and Leominster

Yesterday we headed out to explore. The nearest National Trust to where we are staying is Croft Castle so that was our first port of call.

A pretty little castle in a beautiful setting, the views from the castle are stunning but sadly it was just too hot to attempt any of the longer walks in the grounds, not only were we flagging but Tulip was also suffering with the heat.

Unlike many National Trust properties there was no route to adhere to or volunteers in the rooms, you could just wander around freely. Through a tiny doorway, tucked away in a corner was a little turret room which contained a lovely little stained glass art piece. 

The piece depicts the poem by William Yeats, The Song of the Wandering Aengus. My amazing sister put this poem to music and recorded it shortly before her death. It's very emotional listening to it but it was so important to me that it was played at my mums funeral, which just over a year ago now. 

The exhibition that was on when we visited 'celebrated the cultural significance of the apple' and there was a week of apple gathering, hence the apple sculptures around the gardens.

A quick packed lunch in a shady spot and then we headed off to Leominster. A quick stop off at the tourist information and we followed the walk, taking in the sites. It was just so hot though we couldn't really appreciate it.

Grange Court

The Priory church of St Peter and St Paul

After making it back into town and grabbing a quick drink we heading back to the camper, hoping to have a nap and cool down. 

The only cool bit of shade available to us is behind the camper and only one of us managed to nap there. Note to self, set up the camper further away from the edge in future.