JollyDays Supported Holidays - Blog

  Wales - Castles, Coast & Steam Trains  Collecting our tickets, we had soon taken our seats in the old fashioned carriages and we could hear the station master blow his whistle as we set off, chugging down the track. A slow and bumpy ride took us through some of the most picturesque landscape of the Welsh valleys all the way to Devils Bridge. Stopping here for a light lunch, we soon made the return journey back to Aberystwyth and as we pulled into the station the other passengers on the platform gave us a big wave. Next on the agenda was a tour of the famous castle.  This timber castle (later reinforced with stone) changed hands repeatedly as the Normans warred with the native Welsh.   We learnt that the build started in 1277 but was a particularly taxing job. It still was not completed by 1282 when the Welsh briefly captured and burned it down. Construction was finally completed in 1289 at great expense to the crown. We walked through the castle grounds ex...

  Warwick Castle & Motor Museum We excitedly made our way to Warwick Castle. This medieval castle was originally built in 1068 and is full of history, magic, myth and adventure surrounded in 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens including Pageant Field and The Central Courtyard.  We sat in the beautiful grounds and had lunch in the sunshine before making our way through the Peacock Garden with its topiary peacocks, manicured hedges and a spectacular pond and fountain. We made our way into The Great Hall with its huge variety of armour and weaponry and grand interior, strolling through the lavish state rooms and visiting the Earls private chapel.  We were challenged at the Horrible Histories Maze where we rediscovered the Vicious Vikings, Stormin Normans and centuries more with interactive activities. After a few wrong turns we managed to find our escape route just in time for a short rest and a well earned drink.  We headed to the War of the Roses Live show, ...