Be a rainbow explorer - 2024

Barter Books

Alnwick Station

Northumberland

NE66 2NP

01665 604888

Email: bb@barterbooks.co.uk

www.barterbooks.co.uk

I have chosen somewhere a little unusual for the explorers section this month, not a place of historical interest or impressive scenery or a beautiful garden, instead I have chosen a shop!  But Barter Books is not just any shop – it is an amazing shop filled with books of every kind imaginable!

Barter Books is described as ‘The British Library of Second-hand bookshops,’ by the New Statesman, and I can quite honestly say, I could happily spend all day here and be perfectly content and comfortable. It was opened in 1991 by Mary Manley who wanted to open a second hand book shop based on a swap system. Her husband suggested his manufacturing plant as potential premises, the former Alnwick Station which was built in 1881. It is a very large building with a grandeur that reflected the North Eastern Railway’s aim to provide a station that would impress any Royal visitors to Alnwick Castle.  On the flip side, they also wanted it to outshine any rival railway companies of the time!

The station ran a passenger service until 1968 when it was closed by the notorious Dr Beeching, though the owners hope that in the future, steam trains will return.  There is a branch line restoration project working towards this, begun in 1996 by the Alnwick Valley Railway Members.

The shop retains many of the original features from the station including fireplaces and the old waiting room. It is crammed to the rafters with bookcases, filled with over 350,000 second hand books. There are antiquarian books, rare books, signed books, first editions, annuals, romance, history, cookery, travel – every subject area you can possibly imagine! The whole shop is beautifully ordered and maintained with lines of poetry joining the central bookcases and a miniature trainline running above you across others. In the centre are comfy chairs and a table where you can sit and browse for as long as you wish or in my case, just soak up the atmosphere.

The shop is open every day from 9am till 7pm. There is free parking (not easy as the space and access is very narrow), toilets, disabled access as the shop is mostly on a level with wide gangways and fitted ramps where necessary, a station buffet offering home cooked foods and cakes made from local produce and an Ice Cream Parlour offering snacks and ice cream made from Jersey milk. Be warned there were long queues for the station buffet so get in early if you are wanting lunch.

Decorating the walls of the shop are three large murals specially commissioned by the owners. Each measures 11.5metres at the base and has an apex of 4.8 metres.  The first spotted on entering the main halls, is dedicated to famous writers and was created by Peter Dodds. It has 40 lifesize images of authors from the 1800s onwards and took 2 years to complete. Another is dedicated to the railway and was commissioned in 2005 as a reminder of the railway system beginning in the North East. It commemorates all the men and women known to have worked at Alnwick station.  The last is the Tennyson installation which is a culmination of the poetry lines that run through the shop. This was commissioned in 2006 and was made by Colin Rose with fluorescent tubes. It is a striking sight. In the centre of the main room above the seating area is the William Pym hanging lamp which combines a railway motif with a literary one.

Barter Books is like most second hand book shops – you can buy books freely and there is a small selection of gifts such as postcards and mugs to buy, but as the name suggests, customers can also take in books and gain credit if they are accepted. Barter books will value those books that would be saleable and make an offer which if accepted can be spent throughout the shop.  Any duplicate or surplus books are donated to worthwhile causes.

One other interesting part to the building is in the waiting area near to the toilets. Here you will find a Keep Calm and Carry On red poster framed on the wall. This was a phrase coined in 1939 to help the war effort, part of a series of 3 posters that were to be issued in the event of war and invasion. I’ve always believed this poster to have been widely used during WW2 but in fact it was never actually issued! Many were produced but pulped during the Paper Salvage Campaign and it was thought that no originals remained. This particular poster was found in a box of old books bought at auction by the owners and is one of the few originals remaining.

We went to Barter books on a grim gloomy day and for me it was like entering book heaven! Open fires, calm lighting, a dedicated children’s area, comfortable seating, a warm cup of coffee and a sea of books for me to explore. My only problem was restraining myself to just a few purchases! A fabulous way to spend an afternoon if you are bibliophile like me.

Merrivale Model Village

Marine Parade

Great Yarmouth

NR30 3JG

www.merrivalemodelvillage.co.uk

Tel: 01493 842097

I can’t help myself!  If I see the sign for a model village, I just have to pay it a visit. Anything miniature appeals, so when I saw a leaflet for the Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth on a recent break in Norfolk, I just knew that we would have to go.

I’ve seen many model villages and I love them all. They just seem such a quintessentially British thing and this one is no different – a representation of the English countryside in miniature. The village was begun in 1961 by the three Dobins brothers, who had already built and opened a model village in Southport in the mid 1950s.  This had proved successful so they had moved on to Norfolk, creating Merrivale and then Babbacombe in 1963.  There have been numerous owners, the most recent in the last couple of years and apparently a lot of work has been done to restore the village to its former glory.

Entry price is £12 for adults, £8 for children aged 3 to 12 years and under 3s go free. This offers you unlimited access for one week and includes free entry to the small Crazy Golf at the start of the village. Balls and golf clubs are available and unlike most crazy golf, the ball does not mysteriously get swallowed up at the last hole, so when it is quiet you can have more than one game! From this site, you get an amazing overall view of the model village in all its glory and it looks fabulous.  The gardens and flower beds are full of colour during the spring and summer months and are very well maintained. The site is accessible via lots of twisting little paths and humped bridges offering a fabulous view of all the buildings and scenes on offer. These paths are narrow still wide enough for single buggies and wheelchairs but not for double buggies. Signposts are in place directing visitors in one direction which makes for easier access and ensures the best viewing points for all the models.

There is so much to see! So many fabulous and witty scenes, covering all aspects of British life. I felt the site had a 70s naughty slapstick kind of humour – which didn’t cause offence but brought to mind the Carry on Films. This is shown in the names of some of the shops (which will pass over many children’s heads) and some of the individual characters such as what one can assume is a lady’s afternoon ‘friend’ who hangs over the balcony when her husband returns home!

There are cottages, a farm, school, travelling fair, sports stadium, big wheel, town centre, space rocket with rioting mob, a cricket match – everything you could possibly imagine. Many of them have sound effects which are set off automatically or by buttons that the children can press – my favourite being the nuns singing outside the abbey.  It is possible to spend several hours just looking at the details of each scene and spotting individual characters: the headteacher reprimanding a naughty schoolboy, the runaway wheelchair at the old people’s home, an irate father with a shot gun at the wedding and even a bank robber. Interspersed throughout the site is the garden railway with approximately 350 metres of track and various engines whizzing past, which will keep young children occupied for ages.

There is also a new very small sensory garden which provides a peaceful place for a quiet sit down, ponds of koi carp and interactive boats (extra cost here).

Hidden amongst the buildings is one small cottage covered with a perspex box.  This has been scrawled on with paint – ‘Go big or go home,’ and ‘Banksy.’  Apparently this truly was an original Banksy piece of art although I didn’t realise this at the time! Information has been a bit mixed, but from what I can gather, a group of people visited the attraction in August 2021 and caused a bit of a stir.  They put up a drone which is forbidden and it seems that whilst there was an altercation during which they were asked to bring the drone down and everyone’s eyes were fixed on them, a small barn with the graffiti on, was placed in the village unbeknown to the then owners.  This was spotted by a visitor who messaged a couple of days later and asked if it was the real thing – the owners weren’t even aware of its existence at the time.  It was later verified that it was indeed an original and the altercation had been set up to allow the piece to be put in place secretly.

The model was to prove something of a lifesaver for the village which struggled through Covid times  due to all the closures and was in danger of closing permanently. The barn was sold for over 1 million pounds and a replica placed in the original location. The owners had been struggling to provide the necessary insurance and ensure the safety of the original (we have seen recently with the latest animal silhouettes, how they are removed and disappear very quickly sometimes) so had only been showing it at various times.  If you wander around the back streets of Great Yarmouth, you will come across another Banksy original, high up on a wall.  It’s a lovely story which seems to be true and has ensured that Merrivale remains open for many more people to enjoy.

On exiting the village visitors will find an Old Penny Amusement Arcade. It is free entry and pound coins can be exchanged for old pennies for everyone to try out the amusements. There are lots of old favourites there: fruit machines, the Laughing Sailor (who used to give me nightmares), ‘scary’ scenarios which the kids will find hilarious and not at all scary and even ‘What the Butler saw.’ It brought back memories of childhood visits to seaside arcades and I was happy to try out several of them.

There is also a fabulous tea room on exit with indoor and outdoor seating. Service was a bit slow and the décor is a bit tired in places, but the food was fresh and excellent.

All in all, I loved it, as always. There was so much to see and the tongue in cheek/slightly saucy humour made me chuckle. The gardens were bright and colourful, it was a glorious day and we enjoyed seeing some of the other landmarks found in Great Yarmouth which we then walked to afterwards.

The tale of Banksy and his undercover visit have just added an extra dimension to this fabulous little village.  I suspect if I returned, I would find even more tiny details that I missed out on the first time.  Another model village added to my list!

Brownsea Island

Poole Harbour

Poole

Dorset

BH13 7EE

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island

It may only be a tiny island, 11/2 miles long by ¾ mile wide, but Brownsea Island, the largest of the islands situated in Poole Harbour, consistently attracts over 110,00 visitors each year.

Accessed only by ferry from Poole Quay or Sandbanks, the island is open from March to November each year from 10am to 5pm. Entry fee to the island is currently £10 per adult, £5 for children, £25 per family but ferry fees are extra.

There are a number of reasons why visitors might want to spend the day on the island, the most important one being the wild life.  Much of the island is open to the public and includes woodlands, heath, a variety of wildlife and some spectacular cliff top views across Poole Harbour and the Isle of Purbeck. It is currently owned by the National Trust (entry to the island free for members but ferry fares still applicable) with the Northern half of the island managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Most of the island is open though there is limited public access to the nature reserve situated there.

It is a beautiful and interesting walk through the heath and woodlands. The island is renowned for its red squirrel population though they can prove rather elusive!  The red squirrels can survive and thrive here as the threat of grey squirrels does not exist, they have never been introduced to the island. There is also a small population of ornamental peacocks who are happy to wander amongst visitors, a heronry and Sika deer. Again, be aware that some of these creatures are not easily seen, probably due to the sheer number of visitors that come. It’s an ideal place for a day of wandering, enjoying the scenery, soaking up the atmosphere, participating in a picnic and general relaxation.

I was not really aware of the history of the island but there are information boards and exhibits to give details of this. In more recent times, there was a horrific wild fire in 1934 which destroyed much of the island’s habitat. The owner of the time, Mary Bonham-Christie, banned all public access following this, an order that was to last her lifetime. It was only after her death that a campaign was set up by local conservationist Helen Brotherton to maintain the island,  protect its natural habitat and prevent commercial developers taking over. As a result of this, the National Trust agreed to take it over in 1962 and reopened to the public the following year.

During WW2, flares were placed on the western side of the island to mislead Luftwaffe bombers, directing them away from the port of Poole – a successful campaign.

The main reason we visited was Brownsea Island's links to scouting and Lord Baden Powell.  In 1907 Baden Powell set up an experimental camp to test out his scouting ideas. He took 21 boys from mixed social backgrounds for a week long camping expedition, participating in activities linked to camping, observation, woodcraft, chivalry, lifesaving and patriotism.  From this he wrote the book ‘Scouting for Boys’ and the Scouting movement began.  Camps continued until the 1930s when public access was banned, but a new campsite was opened in 1963.

In August 2007, Brownsea became the focus of worldwide celebrations for the centenary of the scouting movement. Four camps were set up including a replica of the 1907 camp, and scouts and guides from over 160 countries came to enjoy their own experience alongside several descendants of Lord Baden Powell. Evidence of this can be seen in the Visitor Centre with rows of necker scarves hanging from the ceiling and signposts detailing the names of various units that have camped there.

Although interested in the wildlife and the scouting movement, my reason for visiting was rather different.  As a child I avidly read all the Famous Five books and was well aware of the links between Enid Blyton and Dorset. I had thought originally that Brownsea was the inspiration for Kirrin Island but in fact it was the inspiration for ‘Whispering Island’ which is mentioned in various books and was described as ‘Keep Away Island,’ in ‘Five have a Mystery to Solve.’ My childhood dreams were finally realised when I walked on the island myself and could re imagine the adventures that the Famous Five undertook.

The Island does not allow dogs, only assistance dogs, and a map and accessibility routes can be downloaded from the website. There are toilets available in the courtyard, Visitor Centre and the Outdoor Centre, a café with indoor and outdoor seating offering light snacks, hot and cold refreshments and ice cream and a seasonal snack van located at the Outdoor Centre. Water bottles can be filled at the café or the Outdoor Centre.

Booking for the ferry is recommended, although we were lucky and got seats on the day. If you are prepared to wait and take your chances, some seats are available and they will offer them to those who queue once all ticket holders have boarded. There is a risk though that you won’t get there or have to wait for some time. It is also important to time your return.  I’m not quite sure what happens if there are too many visitors waiting to board the last scheduled return boat!  I wasn’t prepared to find out, so try not to stay until the last minute unless you are very confident there will be a space for you.

There is plenty on the Island to fill up a whole day if you enjoy walking, scenery and relaxing. It is a beautiful place that could so easily have been lost had the campaign to preserve it not taken place.  Scouting continues to thrive with Brownsea Island becoming a pilgrimage to those interested in the Movement. A statue of Lord Baden Powell  looks out across the island from the Quayside  and a commemorative stone recalls the events of the experimental camp.

An interesting place with a fascinating history.

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Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

Brodsworth

Doncaster

South Yorkshire

DN57XJ

Telephone 01302 722598

Brodsworth Hall is rather unusual as a stately home and is described as ‘Conserved as found.’  It was built in the 1860s for the wealthy Thellusson family and reflects the changing times and challenges faced by the owners of this once grand house, as their fortune diminished.

The last occupant Sylvia Grant-Dalton, lived there until the late 1980s when English Heritage took the decision to preserve the house. They decided to keep the interior as it was left rather than restore it.  This gives a unique view of how the house has changed over the years and the problems that the last incumbent faced such as subsidence and leaking roofs. It is not something that I have come across before and  so I found it particularly interesting as it gave an alternative view to the more traditional restored country home.

Part of the house retains its Victorian opulence with glittering chandeliers, marble statues and impressive furniture. Other parts were vaguely modernised to suit Sylvia’s needs though by then she had confined herself to just a few rooms and yet further parts are left exactly as they were, showing peeling wallpaper, damp patches and much needed repairs.

Slyvia struggled to maintain the house with her dwindling funds and without the help of the vast number of servants suggested by their quarters which were remarkably generous in size and décor for the time. The rooms that fell out of use display a selection of ‘junk’ which is fascinating to see – the detritus of a family home – ice skates, garden tools, suitcases, stuffed animals and so on. The servant’s quarters are still kitted out showing the generosity of the owners, with one room set up for clothing repairs and alterations:  tables, chairs and sewing machines.  There are old vacuum cleaners, an Aga sitting rather incongruously alongside an early freezer unit and numerous photographic displays of previous occupants and servants, depicting a lavish and extravagant lifestyle. It is described by English Heritage as ‘a house full of surprises,’ and I am inclined to agree with that. It is not your typical stately home and well worth a look.

The gardens have been restored to their former glory and are well worth a look. With seasonal changes there is always something to look at. The Mediterranean Garden, a relatively new feature, proved particularly interesting to us and was very reminiscent of gardens we had seen on overseas holidays. There is an outdoor play area for children and picnic tables, statues and quirky garden buildings to find. Dogs are not permitted unless they are assistance dogs.

There is a tearoom in the servant’s wing which provided reasonably priced snacks and drinks and has indoor and outdoor seating. It was rather busy the day we went so there was a little wait, but the food was hot and tasty.

The staff were particularly friendly and knowledgeable at the entrance to the house and in the house itself, offering insights into the house’s history and suggesting interesting viewing options for photography ( no flash.)  They were friendly and  informative but not obtrusive which can often be the case.

We thought the tickets were quite pricey on the day but savings can be made by booking ahead and online. We ended up transferring our tickets to English Heritage membership which was suggested to us (no hard sell) and seemed a good deal on the day. It was a bit of a fiddly and time consuming process, but again, the staff were very helpful and friendly. Prices vary: Adults £19 with voluntary donation or £17.20, children 5 to 17 £11.50 or £10.40. Concessions from 65 years and family ticket prices available.

The house is open daily from 23 March to 3 November with last entry 30 minutes before closing time.

Buckler’s Hard Village and Maritime Museum

Brockenhurst

New Forest

Hampshire

SO42 7XB

www.bucklershard.co.uk

This is a fascinating little village that defies the passage of time!  A small hamlet set on the banks of the Beaulieu River, it consists of a large open green and a row of Georgian cottages that run down to the river. It is part of the 9000-acre Beaulieu Estate and remains an unspoilt haven with a rich maritime history.

Originally founded as a free port for the trading of sugar, Buckler’s Hard flourished as a naval shipbuilding centre, in the 18th century, where boats for Nelson’s Army were built, including three vessels that participated in the Battle of Trafalgar. The village, however, has its beginnings in the 13th century when it was owned by the Cistercian monks.

The village is open 7 days a week excluding Christmas Day, from 10am to 5pm during the summer season, and 10am to 4.30pm during winter. The last admission to indoor areas is 30 minutes prior to closing with the exit gates to the village itself locked at 8pm. Slightly strangely, although the whole area looks like a historical museum, the majority of the cottages are still lived in or are rented out, it is a living village and visitors are therefore asked to act respectfully.

Entry to the village itself is free and a half day can easily be spent just pottering around and enjoying the green space and the views along the river, though there is a parking charge (around £4.80 for 3 hours.) A number of buildings can also be accessed for free including the Shipwright’s Cottage, St Mary’s Chapel and the Shipwright workshop. St Mary’s chapel was originally a residence and then the village school before conversion to the chapel which seats a congregation of 40.  Here you will find evidence of smugglers with a hidden cellar! The historic cottages show the life and work of those who lived here in the early 1800s and allow a comparison between the cramped home belonging to a labourer and his family to the rather more spacious Shipwright’s cottage! The Shipwright’s workshop is  a replica timber framed 18th century building created from hand hewn timber (approximately 50 trees) from the Beaulieu estate.

There is a separate charge for the museum itself, £5.90 for adults, £4.00 for children aged 5 to 17, with concessions and family tickets available. It is well worth paying as the museum is packed with interesting exhibits and artefacts. The Museum follows the development of the village itself, the shipbuilding and the residents, with reconstructed cottage displays, masses of information on the ships and Nelson, including some of his baby clothes, a description of the importance of Buckler’s Hard during the D Day landings and exhibits about Sir Francis Chichester and Gipsy Moth 1V. There is also a memorial to the SS Persia and many artefacts reclaimed from this P&O Liner that was sunk by a German U-boat in World War 1. There is an intriguing link to Rolls Royce and the Montagu family worth investigating and hands on activities that will help to entertain younger visitors. The SS Persia was believed to be carrying a huge horde of gold and precious gems when it sank. A salvage operation undertaken in 2003, incredibly found this treasure in remarkably good condition.

After walking through the village and down to the river, visitors can opt to enjoy a short 30 minute cruise down the Beaulieu River, with commentary. These run at regular intervals and cost £7.50 for adults, £5.50 for children aged 5 to 17 and add an extra treat to your visit.

Accessibility is variable due to the age of the village but an assistance map can be viewed and downloaded from the website. There are accessible toilets and guide/assistance dogs are welcome. A selection of food can be obtained from The Captain’s Table which we enjoyed very much – breakfast, lunch, cream teas, ices etc or a pint and meal can be found at The Master Builder’s House Hotel (a little pricier.)

We thoroughly enjoyed a half day visit here, enjoying the calm, unrushed atmosphere and being able to wander at will. The village was used in the filming of Great Expectations as there are few signs of modern life.  Well worth a look if you are stopping in the New Forest and certainly if you are staying on the Beaulieu Estate as it is within walking distance.  Take a picnic, relax by the river, play on the village green and steep yourself in the history. 

Beamish Open Air Museum

Beamish

County Durham

DH9 0RG

www.beamish.org.uk

Tel 0191 3794000 between 9am and 2pm Monday to Friday

 Email museum@beamish.org.uk

This has got to be one of my favourite places to visit. I have been a number of times and I am already itching to go again! There is always something new to see or a favourite place to rediscover and more than enough to fill a full day. Indeed, if you want to have a really thorough look at everything there is to see here, then multiple visits are necessary. Beamish really has got something to interest everyone.

Beamish is described as a world-famous open-air museum, which tells the story of life in North East England in a variety of different eras, starting in the 1820s and going through to the 1950s, the newest additions to the museum.  It was the brain child and vision of Dr Frank Atkinson, the museum founder who wanted to find a way to prevent the region from losing its industrial heritage. He was aware that many historic buildings were likely to be pulled down during modernisation of the town and the history involved lost forever. He had been inspired by the folk museums in Scandinavia and recognised the importance of saving historical buildings, furniture and artefacts. The beginnings of the museum opened in 1970 and new areas were recreated in the ensuing years, with the latest addition of the 1950s town opening in the last couple of years, progress being delayed due to the Covid pandemic. The buildings have all been carefully dismantled, transported to the site and rebuilt exactly as they were, with authentic decorations and furnishings.

As you walk through the entrance hall and initial exhibit, through the doors into the open air museum, you are instantly transported to another era. Volunteers are dressed in a variety of different period costumes, inhabit the houses and run the various shops. They are knowledgeable about the houses they are in and eager to chat or answer questions. Many are involved in crafts such as rag rugging, cooking, metal work and woodwork. Old buses and trams run regularly and can be used to move from one area to another if you prefer, though it is interesting to walk too, to ensure nothing is missed out.

There is an Edwardian station, the Tramway and Bus depot, Pockerley Old Hall and Gardens (Georgian), the 1900s Pit village with miner’s cottages, a school and church, Joe the Quilter’s Cottage and the 1900 town.  The town shows how families lived and worked in the years leading to World War 1 and may be familiar to many as it has been used in a variety of TV shows including Downton Abbey. A row of shops are fully stocked with goods of the time – a bakery, garage, Co op store, a dental surgery, sweet shop, bank and chemists to name just some.  The windows are piled high with goods and chattels bringing back memories of Grandparent’s houses and belongings – way too much to see in one visit.

And then there are my favourite areas which include the 1940s farmhouse depicting life for the family and land girls that would have lived there during WW2. A victory garden, bomb shelters and Home Front crafts are all on view, with visitors encouraged to try some activities for themselves. Wartime music plays in the background, open fires bring warmth to the old buildings and each individual item is carefully placed to create an accurate picture of wartime life.

My other favourite area was still under construction when I last visited – the 1950s town. The Welfare Hall takes pride of place (think Call the Midwife) with the baby clinic and all the accoutrements necessary to ensure the welfare of those who visited. I loved the old prams parked outside as mothers would have done at the time, letting their babies ‘take the air,'  - huge great things that are very cumbersome compared to modern day equivalents. There is also a recreation ground which brought back many memories of my own childhood (although I was born later!).  A tall slide, the rocking horse which held several people at once, the seesaw and so on. There is a mini golf course, a sandpit and bowling green and when we visited, an old-fashioned fairground with carousel and helter skelter. There is an old-fashioned chip shop and a hairdresser where you can book an appointment for a 1950s hairdo and since our last visit, the addition of police houses, John’s café, a cinema and two semi-detached houses. I am in desperate need of another visit so that I can investigate these fully.

There are various shops throughout the Museum where you can buy food and snacks – two chip shops, an Inn, sweet shop, bakers and tea rooms. Often there are brass bands playing in the bandstand and there are numerous special events throughout the year. Christmas is also fun to visit as many of the houses and buildings are decorated traditionally.

When I visit now, I aim to explore a specific area or two, knowing that I am not going to manage everything in one visit. Tickets cost: adult £27.95, seniors £21.25  Children 5-16 £17.25 with discounted tickets for families.  These tickets last for a whole year, allowing you to revisit whenever you wish to visit the areas you had to miss out or to revisit your favourite bits. If you choose to become a Friend of the Museum and pay by Direct Debit, you get free entry, the Beamish magazine several times during the year and discounts on a variety of products plus the guide book. A free map can be downloaded from the website.

The museum is open between 10am and 5pm from 20th March to the 25th of October, 2024, and from then until the 3rd November from 10am to 4pm. The last admission is 1 hour before closing time. Visitors are warned that there are a variety of different ground surfaces, some steep slopes and steps to enter some buildings.  Photography is permitted for personal use and well-behaved dogs are welcome in the outside areas.

Dr Frank Atkinson died in 2014 but his legacy continues. The 1950s town fully demonstrates the continued development of the site and the need to keep preserving local history.  Beamish is a charity and 95% of its income is provided by visitors. This took a huge battering during Covid when the museum, like so many others, had to close its doors three times. By visiting, you are continuing Dr Atkinson’s legacy and ensuring that history continues to ‘live on,’ inspiring a new generation.

I could write for pages and still not describe everything you will see on a visit here.  It is one of those places that you just have to see for yourself.  Indulge yourself with a ride on an authentic tram or bus, visit the pit ponies, buy some sweets from the old-fashioned sweetshop, ride on the carousel, play the children’s games inside the Welfare Hall, experience a lesson in the school room and say a prayer in the church.  Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of each era and return home thoroughly exhausted! A great place to go whatever the weather and whatever your age.

If you are interested in weapons and armour (and maybe even if you are not!) this is the place for you! Opened in 1996 and situated on the south bank of the river Aire, one of the focal points of the regenerated Leeds waterfront, this huge building houses 5 galleries, a Peace gallery, the Hall of Steel and over 4,500 objects.

The multitude of objects range from ancient times to the present day and are diverse enough to provide interest for people of all ages. Displays are spread over 5 floors, with plenty of space and a mixture of dioramas (models and life size), display cabinets and interactive display boards encouraging visitors to touch and test their own skills. There were also a large number of screens showing short films and information videos to help understanding of the different eras and the weapons in use. For history lovers there is a vast amount of information to take in, for others it is enough to just wander around, stopping at anything that seems of particular interest.

The development of armour was interesting with the different helmets and body coverings – I was amazed that anyone could see or walk in the full set as it looked so bulky. A small section on children’s armour was of interest to me – full sets in miniature, specially made for the wealthy offspring when jousting was a game encouraged. There were examples of horse armour and a life sized elephant in full regalia, alongside Samurai swords, miniature pistols and a selection of movie props. These included guns used in the James Bond movies and information on Ian Fleming’s obsession with getting the details absolutely correct.

The Hall of Steel as you enter the museum is astonishing.  It consists of a giant staircase with the walls covered in displays of weaponry – over 2,500 objects were used and it is an incredible sight. Other unusual items included a gun disguised in an umbrella, Darth Vader’s helmet which was apparently inspired by Samurai helmets and a vampire killing kit complete with crucifix, stakes, mallet, rosary, prayer book and pistol!

Throughout the day there are live shows and demonstrations bringing the true stories behind some of the museum exhibits to life and frequent combat/jousting demonstrations, particularly it seems in school holidays.  These are free as is entry to the museum itself, meaning you can return as many times as you like. General advice is to put 2 to 3 hours aside for a visit but we stayed for longer and still didn’t see everything as energy levels were flagging by then.

The museum is fully accessible with large open spaces for wheelchairs to move freely, lifts, no steps, baby change, changing places toilet (though this is currently being refurbished) and easy access to the entrance to the museum.  Sensory backpacks are available for children and young people on the autistic spectrum which include ear defenders and soothing sensory toys, which are also free to access. Assistance dogs are also welcome, with water provided in the café and an area to walk and toilet outside.

Parking is in a multi storey carpark just opposite the museum (CitiPark), payment being made before re entering your car at the machines on the ground floor.

There is a café which is open to non visitors also, providing light bites, drinks and tasty treats with vegan and gluten free options.  It suggests using an app at the table but after 3 failed attempts at this, we ordered at the counter which didn’t seem to be a problem. They operate on a card payment only.  Visitors are also permitted to take their own food, with an indoor picnic area available on the 4th floor and an outside area in Armouries Square. No food or drink is permitted in the galleries. There is also a gift shop with an interesting mix of things for sale suiting all pockets – a good selection of books, replica weapons, toys, stationery etc.

Under 15s must be accompanied by a responsible adult and photography is permitted as long as it is for personal use and a flash is not used. The museum hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, so check out the events calendar on their website.

I’m not one for weapons generally but I still found my visit to be of interest and the rest of the family were totally engrossed. Some areas are currently closed for refurbishment but there was still masses to see and it would be quite easy to spend a whole day here and still not see everything in detail.

The Armouries are open between 10am and 5pm during school holidays, and on Tuesdays to Sundays 10am to 5pm during term time. Although the website suggests pre booking, we just turned up on the day without any problems. I suspect it may only be an issue during holidays if they are particularly busy. Then entry is every half an hour and visitors can wander around the shop or make use of the café whilst they wait their entry time slot. Museum staff will greet you at the entrance and are visible around the museum to answer any questions and there are noticeboards which outline the live demonstrations and talks planned each day.

Free to enter, easy parking, good facilities - definitely a place to put on your to do list!

Tucked away in a little back street in Pateley Bridge,  where the police station is, you will come across the Nidderdale Museum. It is set in the old workhouse and is recognised by a large playground rocking horse, one I remember vividly from the playparks of my childhood, just outside the front door. Parking is free directly outside, with a designated accessible parking bay, but there are other parking options nearby.

It is an unassuming building which hides a collection of fascinating objects crammed into various rooms and covering a wide range of subjects! Each room is set out with a different collection, ensuring that there is something to capture everyone’s interests, even my husband and myself, who are interested in vastly different historical periods!

Entry is very cheap, a mere £5 each for adults, with children under 16 having free admission. The museum is run entirely by volunteers who were very welcoming, very amenable and very interested in making sure that we had a fun afternoon. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Photography is permitted and chit chat encouraged!

There are 13 themed experiences throughout the museum which each showcase a different aspect of local life. These included a section on Leisure and Pastimes, Clothes and Costumes, The World Wars, Shops and Businesses, Stone Age to Romans, a Victorian Parlour and Law and Order. The rooms are tiny but crammed with artefacts, and there are recreations of various buildings such as a Victorian Schoolroom, a cobbler’s shop and a hairdresser. Most of the exhibits remain constant but we were told that certain areas, such as the Clothes and Costume section, were changed on occasion. I particularly liked seeing an old Brownie uniform complete with badges and handbook which were very much my era though I don’t like to think of myself as old enough to belong in a museum!

Hubby was interested in the collection of birds eggs, once a popular pastime and the stone age section, whilst I enjoyed the Victorian Parlour, the toys and games and the Victorian classroom memorabilia. The ladies on duty were happy to light up the dolls house on our entry and also set the Polyphon music box off by inserting an old penny – a beautiful sound that accompanied us through the first part of the building.

There is apparently a children’s trail, encouraging children to search for special items located throughout the exhibits and they would also enjoy walking through the reconstructed lead mine tunnel and pushing through the doors at the end, but with a multitude of exhibits – different bicycles, gruesome medical instruments, a crashed aircraft display, the various shops crammed with original contents and a glimpse of what living in a workhouse might have been like – they are likely to be fully entertained.

The walls are covered with local photographs which take a while to look at but are interesting and there is also a film room with a video about local heritage areas and the building of the dams nearby. I was particularly interested in the story of a little boy who went missing and sparked a huge search of the dams, only for him to be found curled up under a tree several days later. Sadly, by then it was too late, but it showed how a community pulled together in their mission to find him.

We spent a couple of hours here easily with plenty to interest us. Our main problem was the cold! Thankfully we were well wrapped up in scarves and coats but still felt like a block of ice by the end which hastened our time around the museum. There is no heating, so go prepared.

Nearby there was a selection of cafes for a hot drink to warm up afterwards and close by is the Oldest Sweet Shop which is always worth a visit even just to peer through the window at the multitude of  large jars filled with traditional sweets. Pateley Bridge itself is also worth a little wander around if you have time.

As the museum is run by volunteers, if you are travelling a distance it is probably worth ringing in advance to ensure that it will be open. Opening times are: from 1st of April to 31st October, open daily except Mondays from 1.30 to 4.30pm.  From 1st November to 31st March, open weekends only from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. There is no café, but there are toilet facilities and a stairlift.

For an afternoon’s entertainment, whatever the weather, this little museum is incredibly good value.  As described on its brochure, it is ‘A genuine cornucopia, well presented with love.’

The World of James Herriot

23 Kirkgate

Thirsk

YO7 1PL

Telephone: 01845 524234

Email: mail@worldofjamesherriot.com

www.worldofjamesherriot.com

This fabulous museum is set in the original home and former surgery of Alf Wight OBE, otherwise known as James Herriot, probably the most famous vet in the world. For those who follow the series ‘All Creatures Great and Small,’ a visit is a must!

The museum offers an insight into James’ life as a country vet, a history of veterinary practice and a fascinating glimpse of the film and TV adaptations.

Tickets are bought in the gift shop but entry to the museum is outside and through the famous red door, complete with brass signs and doorbells. As you open the door and walk into the hallway, you can imagine yourself on the set itself – the floor is just as you see on the TV, Mrs Hall’s hat hangs on the coat stand and the famous black telephone awaits emergency calls.

The guide book describes the visit as ‘a time capsule’, a glimpse of the busy life of a vet in the 1940s in North Yorkshire. The grandfather clock ticks at the end of the hall and the house is a mixture of a busy surgery and a comfortable family home.

Several of the rooms downstairs have been set up as they would have been in the 1940s. If you are lucky enough to visit at Christmas, you will see traditional Christmas decorations too. The dining room also served as the veterinary office.  Most of the furniture is original and belonged to the Wight family. There is a sitting room, filled with homely items, the dispensary packed with the equipment needed, medications, bandages etc, the consulting room, breakfast room and the infamous kitchen which is just as it appears on TV, crammed with all the things that would have been in a typical farmhouse kitchen of the time. Clothes are suspended from the drying rail on the ceiling, the washtub sits in the corner and the Aga looks ready to prepare the family meals.

Another room houses memorabilia from the films and TV adaptations, books, ornaments etc. There are photos, scripts and copies of the books which have been translated into many different languages.  In the Foldyard there is homage to the farriers and a short but interesting film, narrated by Christopher Timothy, the original TV James.  Outside in the garden is a statue to Alf and the Austin 7 used in the film ‘It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet,’ driven by John Alderton who played James.

Back inside and a reproduction of a TV studio is there to be explored.  Here you can sit at the table and see yourself on screen or in my case, answer the telephone when it rings. I was rather surprised to find an irate farmer on the other end in need of some help! These sets were used in the first TV series and give a good insight into how much technology has improved over the years. The number of lights and cameras is quite astonishing. Here they also have the restored Austin 7 used in the series.

Upstairs are plenty of activities essentially for children, but we had great fun too. There are lots of interactive games with enough facts to keep everyone occupied for some time. Here you can take the opportunity to help deliver a cow, find the wobbly tooth in a horse’s mouth and test your reactions in a speed game amongst many others. There is also a small section devoted to the TV series 'The Yorkshire Vet' which was inspired by The World of James Herriot and is equally as popular.

Before re entering the gift shop there are a couple of rooms dedicated to items explaining the development of Veterinary Science. Some exhibits are missing as they are being used in filming the current series but there are still plenty left – many looking rather gruesome. There are films to watch with the latest cast giving behind the scenes information and a set from the latest series to investigate too.

The Museum suggests allowing 90 minutes to wander around, but to be honest, I would allow a little more time so that you are not rushing. There was plenty to see and do, and the children there at the time of our visit seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. As a fan of the series I would recommend a visit and if you are in the area for a while, take a drive out to Grassington, the beautiful little village where some of the exterior shots are taken.

There are toilet facilities in the Museum and a small gift shop but no café though there are plenty in Thirsk market place. Parking is available close by and the museum is sign posted.

Tickets cost

Adults £8.50

Children £5

Guidebook £3

Open 7 days a week. Winter opening from 10am till 4pm, last entry 3pm. Summer entry (from 1st of March) 9.30am till 5pm, last entry 4pm.

Assistance dogs welcome.