We visited National Trust Croome today. The former home of the Earl of Coventry & site of a Second World War secret airbase , RAF Defford, where developments in radar and aircraft autoland technologies were carried out.
Much of the land required for RAF Defford was requisitioned from the Earl of Coventry in 1940, with the station’s technical area being built on the eastern part of Croome park. The laying of the runways necessitated the closure of a public road, and extended across Defford common.
An interesting museum and house with lovely walks around the lake & river.
Back to the caravan for some R&R before lighting up the BBQ.
Late morning we set off to drive to National Trust Brockhampton.
The main attraction of the Brockhampton Estate is Lower Brockhampton, a timber framed manor house that dates back to the late 14th century. The manor house is surrounded by a moat and is entered by a newly restored gatehouse at the front of the house.
The house is surrounded by 1,000 acres (400 ha) of farmland, some of it parkland with fine specimen trees, and 700 acres (280 ha) of woodland.
Brockhampton Manor & Gatehouse
Manor House
On the way back to the caravan we stopped off near Great Malvern to walk to the top of Herefordshire Beacon. Excellent views in all directions although quite a strenuous climb on the route we took. Expected heart attack didn’t occur.
Stopped off for shopping on way home, and lit the BBQ for sausage and teriyaki chicken, jacket spud and salad dinner with obligatory bottle of white.
After a day of washing and other domestic chores on Tuesday we set off to visit the dams & reservoirs of the Elan Valley. These are a series of dams built to provide water for the city of Birmingham. The dams were opened between 1904 and 1952.
