Cavernous Kinver Edge
“Where are all the cavemen, Granddad?” A young boy kicks the tiled floor with his shoe as he holds his granddad’s hand. “Years ago, Joshua, lots of people lived in …
The People’s Friend
Through the Ceiriog Valley
As hotel names go, this one’s a little unusual. Across Church Street, in the Welsh Border town of Chirk, is the Hand Hotel. Parts of it date back to 1610, …
Beautiful Bath
Dear Reader, As any Jane Austen fan knows, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a visitor in possession of some free time is in want of a day out …
Exploring Ellesmere
“There’s no inflow or outflow on any of these lakes,” says Stan, leaning on his walking stick. I stare across Cole Mere’s fifty-two acres of water. “You must get a …
Historic Hawkstone Follies
“And here’s your torch,” said the young man behind the desk.“I need a torch?”He nodded. “There’s no lighting in the tunnels and the ground is uneven underfoot.”I took it from …
Captivating Cannock Chase
Sometimes my imagination sends me on a wild goose chase. I was sitting in a Cannock supermarket cafe, eavesdropping on other people’s conversations, as most writers do, when two women …
Wonderful Welshpool
Welshpool has not one, nor two, but three railway stations. For a small town on the Welsh borders with a population of 5,900 people, that seems a little greedy! My …
Lost in the Golden Valley
“Off to Hay-on-Wye?” enquires the cyclist waiting alongside me at the traffic light. “Golden Valley,” I reply, through my open car window. She beams. “It’s beautiful. But that’ll be the …
The Titans of Telford – The People’s Friend
Leaning on the ‘O’ in Telford stands a giant statue of the civil engineer, Thomas Telford. If Thomas had stood at this spot when he was alive in the 19th …
Picturesque Portmeirion
“Is this your first time at Portmeirion?” The receptionist hands me my ticket and a handy village map. “No, this must be my fourth visit,” I reply. “But I always …