Haughmond Abbey is a pleasant afternoon out in the shropshire countryside. The Abbey and grounds,…read morewhen approached from the road, look relatively small and there does not appear that there will be much to be seen, however first looks are very deceptive. As you enter on your left is a very small but very informative museum. Not many artifacts have been found from around the site but what have, have been well displayed and are suitably detailed on easy to read display boards. The Abbey itself is very impressive (or certainly would have been). There are display boards around the site to detail each aspect of the abbey as you enter into it. The grounds just seem to keep going where many rooms, unable to be seen from the raod, lie behind the remaining imposing structure. In some places the display boards have been replaced by simple signs telling the visitor where they are in the Abbey. This part of the visit could be improved by placing similar visual dispaly boards with artist impressions in more areas around the site. The history of the site unfolds as you walk around and it is easy to understand how the monks who lived in the Abbey led a relatively comfortable lifestyle compared to the country folk around it. Towards the end of the site is a display board detailing the true scale of the Abbey and how recent digs have unearthed a surrounding wall and large gatehouse which would have been the main entrance. It is a shame that this display is not incorporated into the museum to allow you to appreciate the grandeur at the start of the visit as opposed to trying to appreciate it at the end. The site has a small but well equipped visitor shop with protaloo toilets at one side of the site. Better toilets and display boards would make this a five star English Heritage visit.

Haughmond Abbey is located 3 miles NE of Shrewsbury off B5062. Another fantastic day out…read more It has a lovely picnic area and also able to get get light refreshments. On a lovely day its definatley a good picnic site.

Towering 160m above both what was once the old-money village of Alderly Edge (now a mecca for…read morePremiership footballers and Wags) and the Cheshire Plain in general, the edge has some of the best views of anywhere in the area thanks to the dramatic edge - a steep cliff-like drop. The edge has historic associations with, somewhat incongruously, mining and wizardry, but these days it's a great place to go for a walk with either the kids, the dog, visitors or even a solitary stroll. There are car parks at both the foot of the edge and the top (the latter is the main one) giving the option of a quick trip to the edge itself and back or a longer, more demanding up-and-down walk.

When I visited the Unfinished Church in St. George's at Duke of Kent St., St. George's GE 05 on…read moreJune 27, 2016, a tour guide drove me past the ruins of the uncompleted church building, which people don't have to pay a fee to go look at and look inside through the arches, and informed me of the history. Parishioners thought a new church needed to be built because the old one was falling apart. As St. George built the new church, events happened that showed them that the new church wasn't meant to be used. The parishioners couldn't agree on the inner designs of the church because of theology differences, they had to divert money from the project to rebuilding a church that was torched by arsonists, they still had a use for the Old St. Peter's church: it continued to serve as a Parish church, and a tornado blew the roof off the new church once it was completed. It was interesting to see a building constructed with a different architectural design than I usually see. I couldn't go inside and people still can't go inside today because the St. Peter's Church closed the inside except for an area where scheduled weddings are conducted so they could get the weathered down interior repaired. The site is for tourists, and the inside is for weddings. It doesn't explicitly state a mission, but from the website, it seems as if St. Peter's Church's intention is for the Unfinished Church to serve as a beautiful piece of history for tourists to look at and for people to have church officiated weddings inside. I rated the Unfinished Church in St. George's a three because a visitor can see what a church from a long time ago looks like, but they can pull up pictures of the church on the internet, and they can't learn much from looking inside through the arches and at the outside. I'd probably give it a higher rating if I could visit it once the interior was repaired. My rating is based on how it functions as an educational historical site. It's a good place to visit if a person wants something to do that's good for most ages. St. Peter's Church is the managing entity. The site succeeded in its mission because I saw other people there when I visited, although I didn't get to look inside, so I don't know if it succeeded with its goal as being a place for weddings. http://www.stpeters.bm/UnfinishedChurch http://www.gotobermuda.com/profile/unfinished-church/1147

It's just a bridge get over it!! (If you'll excuse the pun). A small single span cast iron road…read morebridge over the Cound Brook just outside Shrewsbury. It has particular historical significance as it is believed to have been designed by Thomas Telford as a fore runner to and inspiration behind the famous bridge of iron at Ironbridge, built by Abraham Darby, which spans the river Severn. Cantlop Bridge is the only Telford-approved cast-iron bridge remaining in situ in Shropshire. It's a bit of a bugger to find (3/4 mile SW of Berrington on an unclassified road off the A458 approximately 5 miles South of Shrewsbury), but certainly worth a visit for any budding historians or architects out there. It's available to view at any time of the year and is completely free.

I didn't expect discovering Rock of Gibraltar is owned by the British Peeps! Who knew? I surely…read moredidn't know this fact . . . I was also surprised learning that Spain wants the Rock returned to them, too. Visiting here was astonishing because Spain is right outside, but peeps living on the Rock-everyone uses British currency. Everyone in McDonald's spoke with a British accent! http://gibraltar.costasur.com/ http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/basics.htm http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/general.htm http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/home.htm

The rock of Gibraltar is indeed something very, very special. Just the thought of all sailors that…read morefor thousands of years that have shared this grand view is breathtaking. Lord Nelson, Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama are just a few that have passed this mighty rock. The view from the top of the Rock is just as breathtaking as its history. If possible - wait for clear skies before going to the top. It is worth it. Clear days it is possible to see far along the Spanish coast and across the sea to Africa. And - beware of the apes. No kidding. Already when docking at the top they may enter the cabin in search for food. According to the guards they are calmer and nicer in the morning than in the hot afternoon.

This is well worth a visit to Shrewsbury to see, even grab a drink and sit outside one of the pubs…read moreon route. The Cariage Parade takes annually and it is usually the first sunday of the month in September. The actual parade is horse drawn carriages, and they travel in convoy from Attingham Park, (3 miles outside Shrewsbury, Attingham Pak is a National Trust Property), the journey continues down the A5, along Abbey Forgate, into the town centre of Shrewsbury into the Quarry, where the carriages and horse can be seen in their full order. A lot of effort goes into this parade, the horses vary in size from Shetland Ponies to Shire Horses, the horseman themselves are all dressed up in their finery. This is the must do, and the best thing its free.

The Shrewsbury Carriage parade is put on by local members of the British Driving Society. It takes…read moreplace annually at the beginning of September on a Sunday. The exact date can be seen prior to the event on the British Driving Society website under Shropshire. Basically, local people drive their turnout ( a horse(s) and carriage, in convoy from Attingham Park ( a National Trust Property just outside the town), into Shrewsbury to The Quarry, where the Lord Mayor has a chat with participants before they return to Attingham for tea in The Orangery. All of us dress up in our finest and polish the horses and vehicles to perfection. Its a great spectacle. All types of horses from miniature Shetlands to Shires participate and the vehicles could be traditional, dating back 100 years or modern. Most of us drive horses for pleasure. Some compete in local shows, driving trials etc etc. We are very friendly and local people line the street to wave and appreciate the parade. If you are in the area, why not come along and have a look, as well as enjoying the many beautiful places the county of Shropshire has to offer.

On my to do list of must sees in liverpool was the Three Graces - The fundamental international…read moresymbol for Liverpool, is the Royal Liver Building, as well as The Cunard and the Port of Liverpool buildings. They are all side by side located on The Pier head in Liverpool. Stunning architecture, all majestic in their own right.

This is the first building you see when your ship arrives at the cruise port. One of the famous…read moreThree Graces it stands out more than the other two. On top of the two towers of the building are statues of Liver Birds which are said to be good luck to sailors and the city. probably one of the most iconic buildings in Liverpool. It is a must see when you visit.

I have a soft spot for Anthony Gormley's work, so much so I was even one of the lucky ones that…read morestood on the 4th Plinth in London. The statue represents the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country practised during the Industrial Revolution. The controversy of public opinion when it was installed makes me further believe that it really does represent the Brummie and Yam-Yams naysaying nature. I can't really recall why it was so hated back in 1993 when it was given as gift from the Trustee Savings Bank, but when they moved down south there was an outcry that the Iron: Man should be moved with them. I love that it started out as an untitled work until the Iron Man nickname stuck, only for the artist to insist on making his own stamp by insisting on a stupid colon in the middle. Brilliant! Maybe my soft spot for Gormely is because he utilises many local resources to make his large scale iron works with the Iron:Man being cast at Bradley and Fosters Castings (now Firth Rixson Castings) in Willenhall. Whether you love or hate it this 6m tall, leaning man whose feet are sunk in the ground is worth a look.

The most overlooked art in victoria square. I love this art by one of my favourite artist/sculptor.read more

Long country walk to the shell of a mansion. Good audi tour…read moreas you wander around the ruin, and then they turn the fountain on which is spectacular. Finish it off with tea and cake as the church tea rooms The Perfect Sunday afternoon