Wye Valley

This is where we went for our brief break in March - if I'd known it would be so long before we got away again I might have made it a longer trip. It's the Hop Cabin, a Canopy and Stars property , situated at Kingstone Brewery just north of Tintern. We been to the area before when we stayed higher up the hill at Lichen Cabin and enjoyed it so much we though we'd go back.

On the way down we stopped off at Baddesley Clinton and. as there were intermittent hail showers, went round the house instead of the garden.

We were only away for two nights.so the next morning we headed off down the track to the main road and across by the old railway station to pick up the Wye Valley path where it wanders gently by the river and amongst flower meadows as far as Tintern Parva - and the Wye Valley hotel where we stopped for lunch..

Afterwards, we meandered back more or less by the route we'd come - past Tintern church and along the railway  - to the cabin.

In the afternoon, we went down to Chepstow to see round the castle.It's a while since we've visited and I didn't really remember it.

Then we went down to the old bridge over the Wye, and back up the hill to the car park.

Next day was time to go home, calling at Goodrich Castle and Hanbury Hall. 

 

Goodrich Castle

Our way home from Tintern took us north up the Wye Valley to Goodrich and its castle - an excellent place for a wander round and lunch.

The square keep was built mid 12th century but most of what remains dates from roughly a century later. Despite its position overlooking an important crossing place of the river Wye, Goodrich was a relatively peaceful place till the Civil War when the Royalist forces inside were besieged by Parliamentarians. After a ferocious siege the Royalists surrendered in July 1646, and the castle 'slighted' (made indefensible by removal of battlements and damage to the main entrance)

Today you can walk over the bridge which spans the moat, examine the portcullis slots and arrow slits of the entrance in peace. 

There are steps to climb to the top of the towers to get a good view of the countryside around.

I didn't risk these twisty, turn-y stairs but took a more straightforward set at the opposite end of the castle which ultimately led, via the remains of the wall walk on the right hand edge of the photo below, to the same place.

Exploring the corridors set into walls is always atmospheric; maybe a little spooky at times, but not on a bright sunny day.

It's possible to go to the top of the Keep but I decided against that, feeling that the stairs I'd walked up offered the better return on energy expended. 

Goodrich is certainly a brilliant place to explore, whatever your age, and the cafe is a great place for lunch :)

 

Wye Valley Sculpture Garden

Freya by Emma Kemp

One of the perks of staying in  Lichen cabin was entry to the Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, even though it wasn't officially open at the time. Gemma Kate Wood has her studio here and is the organiser of an annual exhibition in the grounds.

Situated high on the hillside, the garden itself is worth a visit with stunning views over the valley, and ponds to sit by in quiet contemplation. 

detail of Standing Peacock by Hayley Jones

The sculptures are constructed from a wide range of materials - metal, wood and glass perhaps being the favourites. Some are representational, others abstract, all beautiful in their own way.

In prominent view or situated in a quiet half-hidden nook, the art works bring an extra 'something' to the garden. 

I haven't posted all of my photos as being taken on a phone they aren't brilliant representations of the sculptures but more importantly I feel this is a place you need to go and experience for yourself.

More details - of opening hours, charges and featured artists - can be found online here 
 I was so lucky to catch the setting up of the exhibition but another time I might time my visit to the cabin for it being fully open.

Glamping again - Lichen Cabin, Tintern

Last year I took the plunge, tried glamping for the first time in a cabin next to the river Nene - and loved it. So much so that when Canopy and Stars had a special Christmas promotion, buy a £200 gift voucher and get £50 one free, we treated ourselves, so this year we'll have TWO glamping trips.

This was the first - Lichen Cabin near Tintern in the Wye Valley. A lovely spot to take things easy for a few days. I'd hoped to catch the orchard in full blossom and the woods full of bluebells but I was a few weeks too late for their full glory. This didn't detract from our wonderful stay though. We hadn't intended doing much, and did even less.

The location was secluded without feeling cut-off from people, the cabin equipped with everything we needed - a squashy sofa, a comfy bed, a small but well-equipped kitchen, a properly plumbed bathroom. All in all, a lovely place to relax, and listen to birdsong and trees swaying in the breeze. The lichen on the apple trees attests to how clean the air is here. 

Up the Wye Valley Path

We spotted a green woodpecker in the orchard (first time for me) and animal tracks in the woods (probably roe deer but possible wild boar)

We called in at the cabin owner's sculpture gardensculpture garden where preparations were underway for a summer exhibition, stopped at the  Brewery a little further on, walked down the hillside to Tintern Old Station, now an information centre and tea room, along the banks of the Wye upstream to Brockweir one day and down to Tintern Parva and the vineyard there another, and up the hill following the Wye Valley Way for a short distance. 

Tintern Abbey

The only time we moved the car was to go into Tintern itself, a mile or so away, one evening after a walk along an old sunken road ended in slipperiness and flooding.

Flower-filled lanes

Brockweir

This, I think, is the future of my holidays. Off grid but with all the important facilities. Peace and quiet. Just me and the wildlife. I'm looking forward to my next Canopy and Stars holiday.