The Non Theme Park trip thread.

[Alix]

St Fagans is a fun day out and is the best price - FREE! (well, donations)

It's an open air museum of Welsh life, where they move historic buildings from elsewhere in Wales and rebuild them. On certain days they have actors playing the roles of those who lived/worked in the buildings, most days they have craftsmen/women such as leather workers, clog makers etc.

Not really focussed on industrial things, more early farming, but the row of terrace houses which takes you from early 1800 up to 1980s is very interesting.

There's a lot of walking involved, but the coffee shops are good, and there's also a high ropes course and various playground areas for kids. There's also a proper Welsh pub - this wasn't here last time I visited but you can see how they're trying to build a village with the terrace opposite and the police station coming next.

As we can't do images directly, here's a link to the official site: https://museum.wales/stfagans/

 

[East Coast Mariner]

There’s not much I enjoy more than a summer-evening walk in Coggeshall. I have been doing it since 2021, and it’s provided a great bit of escapism ever since. The only trouble is, I had left it a bit late this year. And so, with the daylight hours becoming shorter, and the evening light fading, I set off to this Essex town whilst I still had the chance.

Using the car park for the village hall and library, I set off west and began my journey. Walking down a lane, I crossed a stream known as Robin’s Brook, and then emerged into a field. There used to be a little Horse Chestnut grove here, but it is now fenced off, with just a lone tree standing by the path. After viewing the tree, I went through Highfields Farm and emerged at West Street.

Crossing the road, I walked through Coggeshall Town Football Club, and descended some steps to the riverside walk. Here, the River Blackwater snakes along, surrounded by rows of newly-planted Willow. Passing a particularly tight bend in the river known as Horseshoe Hole, I carried on west to Nunn’s Bridge. This is a very convenient bridge, built by local blacksmith Henry Nunn, that crosses the river in just the right place.

01)Bridge by East Coastering, on Flickr

Once over the bridge, I found myself on the southern side of the Blackwater. Looking into the distance, I could see what appeared to be a large deer. Joining the Essex Way, I headed east and kept my eye out for more deer. There was indeed a herd of them, and they skipped away as they saw me.

02)Essex_Way by East Coastering, on Flickr

Continuing east, I noticed a hot air balloon was following the Blackwater in the same direction I was going. Passing a veteran Oak tree, one of the oldest in the town, I soon arrived at Grange Farm. Here, a biplane flew overhead, which was surely on its way to the Clacton Airshow. I had a quick look at Grange Barn and then crossed the B1024.

03)Chapel by East Coastering, on Flickr

Entering Abbey Lane, the dirt track crunched under my boots as I headed towards the Mill. On the way, there is St Nicholas’ Chapel, which was once part of the entranceway to Coggeshall Abbey. And continuing down an avenue, I soon found myself at Abbey Farm itself. The hot air balloon had caught up with me, and soared over the Abbey roof.

04)Mill by East Coastering, on Flickr

Crossing a stone bridge over the Blackwater, there is a fine view of Abbey Mill, with the building and water lilies reflecting on the surface. Once over the bridge, I had one last meeting with the hot air balloon, which then continued further east and we parted ways. As for me, I turned north and made my way past many horses.

Emerging into East Street, I crossed the road and set foot on the Recreation Ground, with its avenue of tall Lime trees. Heading north, I entered a narrow passageway. There are some very large Horse Chestnut trees alongside here that make the one I mentioned earlier look small.

05)St_Peter by East Coastering, on Flickr

Crossing another street, I arrived at St Peter’s Church. There is very often some sort of music or singing emanating from this church, which always makes it feel particularly welcoming. Not so tonight, but there was still a gazebo up from an event. It is a lovely churchyard to look round, regardless, with a very chunky Cedar of Lebanon.

06)Cedar by East Coastering, on Flickr

On my way back to the village hall, there was just one more thing to see. There is a grand building along Queen Street, perhaps once some sort of community building, that has a model railway in the front garden. Although it looks like it has seen better days, I do like seeing the fruits of someone’s vision.

Returning to the car park, that was it for another year - the Coggeshall Summer Evening Walk. Like some of the others I do, it is not just a walk, but also a marker of time. I feel several different emotions when doing it, but mainly just gratitude to be able to do it again. Above all, though, it is one of the most feature-packed walks I know, truly with something different at every turn.

 

[East Coast Mariner]

New Forest 2025​

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Day 1 - Bournemouth​

Once again, I found myself in Lyndhurst, for my fourth trip to the New Forest. I have been visiting since 2017, and have found it to be a near-inexhaustible treasure trove of adventure. Stepping out of the car, I entered what has become a familiar friend of mine - the Heritage Centre. I didn’t bother with the exhibition this time, but bought myself some cards, a fridge magnet and a hoodie.

Next, I headed towards Beaulieu and past Buckler’s Hard, where wood from the forest was taken to build ships. I stopped at the North Gate car park because there was something I wanted to see here - the Beaulieu River Oak. Unfortunately, there was no clear path to it. Although I had a paper map, I really couldn’t find it, and every gap in the plant matter was boggy. Better not to risk getting stuck in a quagmire, so I’m afraid I just abandoned this one as a failure.

With some time spare, I headed to somewhere quite nearby that I’d always wanted to see - Bournemouth. I paid the extortionate parking charge, and made my way to the main hub. It was at least a sunny day, and I could get some nice pictures of the wheel and the oceanarium. In fact, the first day of this TR is rather on-topic, as there were two rides here! The wheel and a zip line from the pier to the beach.

00a)Wheel by East Coastering, on Flickr

I must admit, I found Bournemouth a little bit concentrated and exclusive for my tastes, a bit like Bath-by-the-Sea! Although there are indeed some interesting bits, such as the chines, the main hub is all cramped together, with very little competition seemingly allowed. There are no fish & chip shops on the promenade apart from Harry Ramsden’s, for instance. Still, it was nice to see, and a big place crossed off the list.

00b)Ocreanarium by East Coastering, on Flickr

Day 2 - It’s a Fair Cross, Guv​

If there was one thing I was determined to do the next day, it was to find the Fair Cross Oak. It was one of the biggest trees in the forest I hadn’t yet seen. However, there was one problem - it was pouring down with rain. I sat waiting for a gap in the deluge, and finally managed to set out in the late afternoon.

My initial plan was to complete a circuit from Busketts Lawn, but there was no longer enough time. Instead, I found another car park and decided on an out & back walk. It is worth pointing out that there are not actually “footpaths” in the New Forest, and so you really do need to double-check things like where you can enter and exit the enclosures.

Regardless, I found a way to enter Furzy Lawn Inclosure and ventured south. After seeing a pony and foal, I crossed a bridge and soon found myself in an enormous clearing. I walked across the expanse and towards the golf club. And there it was - the Fair Cross Oak. Not hard to find at all, I was very impressed with this tree. Bulky and wide, it was easily one of the best I’ve seen in the forest.

01)Fair_Cross_Oak by East Coastering, on Flickr

Day 3 - Allum Green​

After the Fair Cross Oak, the next bit of the forest I wanted to see was the area around Allum Green. Unfortunately, the rain wasn’t being much kinder to me than the day before, and so I sat and bided my time. Eventually, though, the sky cleared enough and I set out again, this time to the James Hill car park.

The paths were much better today, and so I made my way south on a snaking path towards White Shoot. At a crossroads, I turned north-west towards the plain, which was being grazed by ponies. I followed what looked on the map like a very minor path around the western edge of the wood, but thankfully, it was easy to follow. About halfway round, I found a very impressive Beech - the best in this area.

04)White_Shoot_Beech by East Coastering, on Flickr

Making my way south, I turned north-east and went up the hill towards the hamlet of Allum Green. This was once the home of Vera Brittain, writer and mother of the politician Shirley Williams, who moved into Allum Green Cottage in 1939. The site was bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1940, and there is a memorial bench nearby. Personally, I was here to see the Allum Green Oak, an ancient tree just outside the walls. As I approached it, several deer scattered. Although not truly huge, I thought it was a fine tree and worth seeing.

05)Allum_Green_Oak by East Coastering, on Flickr

Making my way north-east along Cut Walk, I saw a group of ponies sheltering under the canopies. There was one more tree to find, although it was slightly off the path. Leaving Cut walk, I searched around for it, only to instead be presented with a fine, white pony. After rooting about for a bit, I found the tree, which was indeed a bulky one.

06)White_pony by East Coastering, on Flickr

Back at the car park, I encountered a group of foreign ladies (probably German), who I had seen earlier and were now trying to find their way back to a different location. Understandably, they didn’t quite have their bearings, which just shows how careful you have to be in the forest. I showed them my map and pointed them in the right direction.

With time for one more tree, I headed to Acres Down Farm. Just a short walk from the public car park, by Acres Down House, is another veteran Oak. I thought this was an impressive tree, and one that wasn’t really on my radar until recently. I had very much enjoyed this hassle-free day, and overall, found it to be the best of the trip.

07)Acres_Down_Oak by East Coastering, on Flickr

Day 4 - Withybed & I​

The weather had improved, and I could finally do the longest walk I’d planned. On the way there, I saw some deer, the closest I’ve ever seen them. At Bratley View car park, I crossed the road and made my way up Mogshade Hill. I used the underpass to go under the A31 and soon found one of the celebrity trees of the forest - the Spreading Oak.

12)Spreading_Oak by East Coastering, on Flickr

Making my way back to the plain, I strolled downhill to the bottom of a valley. A dog walker approached, whom I said hello to, and reassured his slightly nervous pet. Here, I waded through a ford and began climbing a steep hill to Lucas Castle. In a small patch of woodland to the east is the other tree I wanted to see - the Withybed Oak. This one, unfortunately, has seen better days. Now missing the many branches of its youth, it is arguably no longer remarkable, and won’t be again until it is much older and bulkier. I, however, had more immediate concerns. As I was photographing the tree, I heard a thunderous “moo!” Seeing an angry cow at 10 o’ clock, I decided to get out of there! The cow pursued me, continuing to voice its displeasure, until I was well on my way.

14)Withybed_Oak by East Coastering, on Flickr

Climbing the hill to Andrew’s Mare Lake, I took in the view until I was ready to move on. The path down to Withybed Bottom is known as Murray’s Passage, in honour of Admiral Murray, and there is a memorial stone to him at the base. I crossed Long Brook and climbed the hill on the other side. All that was left was an enjoyable walk west, with some of the pine enclosures on my left, and a buzzard flying over the valley to my right. On the way I passed an Oak that I thought was better than the two I had set out to find!

15)Andrews_Mare_Lake by East Coastering, on Flickr

And with that, I’d completed my fourth visit to the New Forest. Although there is still much to see, I do feel I have pretty much ticked off the central and southern forest, more or less. There is an element of wildness to forests that you don’t get elsewhere, and I definitely came away this time with a renewed respect for the risk involved in exploring them, whether terrain, weather or bovine! Nonetheless, I had enjoyed a cracking adventure, and I left this intriguing part of the country feeling a little bit stronger than when I’d arrived, wondering if and when I will get the chance to return.

 

[Poisson]

Have you tried across the water? SW Coast Path runs from Studland side of Sandbanks Ferry all the way to Minehead ultimately, but there's either the beach/dunes bit as the start or there's more walks setting off from Durleston towards Lulworth firing ranges (depending on if the tanks are about)

 

[East Coast Mariner]

Have you tried across the water? SW Coast Path runs from Studland side of Sandbanks Ferry all the way to Minehead ultimately, but there's either the beach/dunes bit as the start or there's more walks setting off from Durleston towards Lulworth firing ranges (depending on if the tanks are about)

I've been there, but not really done any proper walks. I'd love to do the whole South-West Coastal Path, but I agree, Dorset is one of the best.