On to Greener Pastures

Dinton Pastures Country Park has just over 335 acres. The park is open daily throughout the year. It offers a variety of habitats including 7 lakes, 2 rivers, meadows, and several trails all with cutesy names such as the duck or dragonfly trail.  The longest trail is about 2 hour mosey.

Complete with a play area for kiddies and tea cosy for a cuppa for adults, this place has many dog friendly areas – be mindful of lakes-- some contain blue algae which are not safe for our doggy friends to swim in. Some of the water ways are prime for fishing and will be posted to keep pets from harm. Steer clear of these areas which can result in entanglement of the lines or fish hooks in paws. 

 Loads of waterfowl can be seen. Quiet, tranquil lakes which allow for kayaks, canoes or sailboats.

Wheelchair friendly!

Getting there

If you follow the A329 from Winnersh triangle you will find the small car park (FREE) that leads to the Berkshire Aviation Museum. It costs £4/ per adult to go in and see the planes. The other end of this car park leads to Dinton Pastures.

Bakewell and the Monsal Trail

England’s oldest bakery and aside from the cream puffs that melt in your mouth, you can give this town a miss. Or use it as a stopping point before heading off to other parts of the peak district.

The Peacock in Bakewell is a great place to eat although the owner is an egotistical tyrant. Go early as fills up fast and is mighty expensive. £15 for fish and chips!

Monsal trail – boring and flat near Bakewell; recommend cycling to see more. Easily accessible by wheelchair and push chair friendly. The trailhead is very steep at the beginning and cyclist are asked to dismount near the ramp.

The trail is about 8 miles long and finishes at Bakewell. What better time to go have cake!

There is a bike hire place on the trail- the trail is up above the town of Bakewell and can be seen as walking.

The old train station has now been converted to an office building and only the front face of the building remains on the other side – looks like something out of Hollywood film set with no sides to it.

How to get there:

From Market Place in Bakewell, follow Sheffield Road and cross the five-arched bridge of the River Wye, turn right and ascend Station Road to the former Bakewell railway station and car park on your left.

Caerphilly Castle, Wales

For any of you who’ve every wanted to be let loose to explore a medieval castle, this is the place for you. Caerphilly castle is just 10 miles north of Cardiff Castle at half the cost to enter and twice as much fun!

Once upon a time there lived an evil king who was best mates with an evil greedy man. (The greedy man is the villain of our story and he once owned Caerphilly castle). The villain joined forces with the evil king and together they stole off with the kingdom's treasures. The Queen and her lover chased after them where the evil king and evil, greedy man met their rather gruesome demise. But no happy endings for the Queen either, her son- the King’s son- hanged her lover and ruled over the lands. Now off to bed with you, story time is over. 

Wait…What’s that you say? 

You want to hear more? 

Well then you must explore the castle for yourself. Find secret passages the Queen and her lover used. Have a banquet in the Great Hall. Warm yourself by the ginormous fireplace in the hall but beware of the Lady Green who is said to haunt the castle. Scale the walls and climb the staircase to the towers if you dare. Take in a 360 ° view of Caerphilly (at least on a day when it’s not rainy and foggy- good luck, it’s Wales) from the tallest tower. On windy days, feel the castle towers tremble beneath your feet as the wind howls at the windows begging to be let in.  Look for the castle giant who steadily holds up the falling tower. Shoot a trebuchet or other such medieval weapon on the castle grounds. Roam across the drawbridges to explore the moat, surrounding courtyards and lakes (avoid the guard swans and geese).

Caerphilly castle was built in 13^th century with moats and lakes encompassing the castle making it the largest castle in Wales (second largest in all of Britain) and never to have been besieged. Lucky for us peasants, we are now allowed to wander around in all its ruined glory for a small fee. 

 So go, put on some sturdy shoes and explore! Or if it's your bedtime and this is your bedtime story, then dream of castles and valiant knights with daring sword fights and powerful queens with secret treasures. Possibly a few dragons too (as Wales is well known for their firebreathing friends). Sweet dreams!