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.