BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM (Dudley, West Mids)

My Visit to the Black Country Museum, was July 21st 2005.
Based in Dudley, part of the West Midlands, the Museum is a working museum,with various settings of how life used to be. Shops , such as the Hardware store and Bakery, set out as they once were. Also there are craftsmen, like the Blacksmith, giving demonstrations to Interested onlookers. There was also a queue for the opening of the Chip Shop!
Even the local policeman was in the old uniform and on his bike too.
A funfair was also there, with plenty to amuse the children.
A tram takes you from the Visitor centre, to the main street of Interest.
The Visitor Centre includes old vehicles and artifacts from a bygone age.
There are Tea rooms and one was near to the Canalside, where barges and boats are on display.
Interesting place to visit for people keen on seeing how life used to be in the Black Country.

CRICH TRAMWAY MUSEUM (Derbyshire)

The Crich Tramway Museum is located in the Derbyshire Peak District, in the village of Crich.
It was built in an abandoned quarry, over 40 years ago. After founder members came to Crich, to remove the former narrow gauge rails, on behalf of the Talyllyn Railway.
It was the beginnings of the Tramway Museum. There are quite a few features there, including a Tramshed, which houses the fleet of Trams, that run daily for visitors. Also an Indoor museum, that Includes an old Steam Organ, which is very noisy indeed!
Also in the museum are more Tram exhibits and items connected with Old Tramways.
The Tramway has certain days which feature people dressed in Period clothing, such as the "1940's day" which I attended. It added more Authenticity to the Tramway, seeing people in wartime clothing and Chimney sweeps and women in the dresses of that period.
There are photos above which were taken on that day.
Admission to the museum includes all rides on the Trams and they run from one end, where the street & tramsheds are based, right up to the quarry. It then makes the return journey.
There are tea rooms and an old pub. All made to fit into the scene of the Tramway.
The Trams themselves are all restored by the Tramway members and were once running in certain towns & cities In the UK and one or two from France as well.
In fact, all the items at the Museum, the Track and cobblestones,etc, were all from parts of Britain and used within the museum itself. A reminder of days gone by!

DARTMOUTH (Devon)

Dartmouth is one of my favourite places In England. Certainly my favourite In Devon.
I've visited there a few times over the years and always enjoy walking around the streets and the promanade too. Bayards Cove next to the ferry is a picturesque area of Dartmouth, with it's row of Old fishermans cottages and buildings connected with it's maritime history.
This setting has been used for a few TV programmes over the years, Including "The Onedin Line" in the early 1970's and "Dick Turpin" too. There are many pleasure boats around that you can take a trip along the River Dart on. The trip takes you past Agatha Christies house, hidden in the hillside, near to Dittisham. Another scenic village on the River Dart.
Also in Dartmouth is the Valley gardens, that are always very colourful and a nice place to sit & relax. The shops are Interesting too, with "Fore St" being popular, with it's Art Gallery shops and also other gift & clothing stores too. An Interesting building is the "Butterwalk", which is a Bakery & Cake shop .Located very close to the Promanade and a photo of it is above....the stilted building. Most people get to Dartmouth via the Ferries that cross over the River Dart, from Kingswear. A Steam Railway runs from Paignton to Kingswear, then another Ferry can transport you across the River. Parking can be difficult in Dartmouth, so a wise option.
Always plenty of Cafes & Resturants to choose from and a relaxing place to visit on the whole.
Also to see is Dartmouth Castle, again a boat trip takes you there. One of a few choices of River travel. Another takes you to Brixham too, another well known fishing town In Torbay.

"SS GREAT BRITAIN" (Bristol Docks)

I visited the "SS Great Britain" as part of a family trip on April 30th 2006.
I had been before around 3 years ago, but now the renovation of the ship was complete.
Around £7 Million of lottery money was spent and it now looks very smart indeed, inside & out.
The Ship was designed by Brunel, the famous Engineer of his time.
He had also designed the Clifton Suspension bridge In Bristol and the Tamar bridge in Plymouth. The public now has access to all areas of this Ship and the cabins have waxwork figures of people, like Doctors and passengers, to make it look authentic and the Galley is stocked with the cooking utencils & pans. One of the photos above, shows the scale of the propeller, against the size of humans. It really is a huge ship.
You can walk underneath the ship, now that they have added steps & a lift. Plus there is a PVC cover with water on, to give you the Impression the ship is in water!. When in fact, its just the PVC sheeting. There is also a Museum next to the Exhibit, which has Interesting things to view and the History of the "SS Great Britain" as well.
It's based now In Bristol Docks, an area being re-generated, with cafes and boat trips and another maritime museum too. A Gift shop & resturant are also located next to the "SS Great Britain".

TYNTESFIELD (Near Bristol)

My visit to Tyntesfield House was on May 1st 2006. Part of a family visit to the area and nearby to where my Sister lives. It is a National Trust property, acquired In July 2002.
Made possible by very generous public donations and fund raising events.
I only managed to see the exterior & gardens on this visit, but it is a very Impressive building Indeed. It was formally the home of the 2nd Lord Wraxall , who died alone in the house in July 2001. He never married. The gardens are very well cared for and on my visit , the Flower beds were full of Tulips , Wallflowers and primroses. The hedges all neatly clipped too.
The building itself was transformed into Gothic revival style in the 1860's. The Architect was John Norton, who was Bristol born . On close Inspection of the Exterior, you see very great detailed Bath Stonework, done by the London builders "William Cubitt & Sons".
I'm hoping next time to explore the Interior of Tyntesfield , where there are guided tours of the building. You may need to make appointments to visit, as it can get very busy at times.
For more Information on the National Trust, visit >
www.nationaltrust.org.uk