H and I loved last year‘s Airbnb so much we booked it again for our annual visit to our lovely friend M. Not going to pretend I hadn’t hoped for a repeat of supper on the sun warmed terrace looking out over the beautiful Holme valley, but it seemed increasingly unlikely. We did get to Holmfirth with only a few drops of rain, stopping in the
pretty Derbyshire market town of Ashbourne before driving through wooded valleys into Yorkshire.
Last year, most of Holmfirth was disrupted by roadworks, but this time we were able to enjoy a morning walk around town on Tuesday plus a flat white before picking up M and heading for The Hepworth at Wakefield. Lots of catching up to do but we did fit in
a few exhibits, my favourite of which was Jennifer Lee‘s elegant ceramics, plus a sunny walk around the lovely garden which has matured beautifully since our first visit in 2019 when it looked like an artist’s impression.
We spent Wednesday morning walking the towpath of the Huddersfield
Narrow Canal from Marsden to the Handmade Bakery on the edge of Slaithwaite, not pronounced the way you might think. Well worth a visit should you be passing: their almond croissants are delicious, and the walk is a delight. No sitting out in M’s garden to say our goodbyes in the sunshine this time. Maybe next year.
Across the Pennines, our friends N and E were keen for us to see Stockport’s meticulously restored Plaza cinema but thanks to a movie showing on Thursday morning we had to content ourselves with a coffee after marvelling at the fabulous art deco foyer.
We managed to fit in a quick whizz round Hat Works museum with its colourful displays, housed in the old factory which provided much of Stockport’s employment in the nineteenth century. Workers handled several noxious substances, including mercury, with no protection at all with awful effects, hence the phrase ‘mad as a hatter’.
Our last stop was Shrewsbury where we’d booked into Darwin’s Townhouse bed and breakfast, once the childhood home of Charles Darwin, referenced throughout by art, ornaments, wallpaper, even salt and pepper shakers. Lots to explore in this pretty medieval market
town whose lovely riverside path, lined with lime trees, we walked along on both evenings.
We spent Friday ambling around the town surprised by how much we’d missed on previous day trips, not least the town’s museum with its geological
exhibits including a particularly delicate fern fossil. Fittingly, there’s a statue of Darwin in front of the library looking both relaxed and imposing.
Home before lunch on Saturday after driving through the leafy Shropshire and
Herefordshire landscape, slightly daunted by a couple of weeks of home renovations coinciding with a heatwave which seems to be peaking today or tomorrow.
And the book? I wasn’t far into Kirsty Capes’s door stopping Girls which, despite lots of socialising and sightseeing, I managed to finish on our last day away. It explores the fallout of fame and artistic legacy through two sisters, daughters of an absentee, negligent father and a mother so caught up in her own creativity she barely registered their existence. Highly recommend this one, particularly to readers who love an art theme.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
30 thoughts on “Two Days in Yorkshire, Almost One in Lancashire, One in Shropshire and a Book”
griffandsarahthomas
I very much enjoyed reading about your time in Yorkshire. As someone who rarely travels these days, I especially appreciate travelling via text! Thank you for a lovely post with great photos.
A corner of the country I don’t know (though I’ve been to Manchester and Macclesfield, and frequently visit friends in York). The chance to stay in Darwin’s childhood home sounds unmissable, particularly for my scientist husband!
It’s a bit pricey, but worth it. It’s actually his birthplace, apparently. Even without that, Shrewsbury’s well worth a visit. I’m sure your husband would enjoy the museum.
Just about, thanks. Hope you are, too. We have a basement where I’m lurking!
Next tme you’re in Yorkshire, I hope you might have time to add in North Yorkshire too, where a welcome would await from one of your dedicated readers! I, of course can pronounce Slaithwaite, and enjoy asking to be directed to a road bearing that name near my son’s London home, and being – always – misunderstood. What WERE the street-naming team thinking?
That sounds delightful, and I must do it! We usually veer west after visiting M but should try heading north. There’s an enjoyable smugness about knowing how to pronounce Slaithwaite for me thanks, of course, to having a local pal, but it does seem cruel to inflict it on Londoners. Perhaps a homesick member of the team.
What a fabulous trip, Shrewsbury is lovely isn’t it. Have you been to Darwin’s family home? Down House? I loved it and would love to stay where he was born. Great sounding book too!
It was so enjoyable, Jane, and I’m greatly relieved we chose last week not this one. I’ve not visited Down House but that’ll give me a nudge to go back. I’ve been very politely corrected on Bluesky – it turns out Darwin’s Townhouse isn’t his birth place as I mentioned in the comments. Bit of misreading of the marketing info on my part! But it is a lovely place to stay.
I have a very good friend who lives not far from Huddersfield (in a tiny place called Birdsedge), and I know how lovely it is there. Glad you had a good time.
Sounds like a lovely road trip Susan. It’s very warm in Ireland this week and we did our own road trip to South West Kerry for Midsummer weekend. It was lovely. I read Ali Smith’s fabulous Gliff.
I very much enjoyed reading about your time in Yorkshire. As someone who rarely travels these days, I especially appreciate travelling via text! Thank you for a lovely post with great photos.
I’ve also added Girls to my wish list.
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it. Writing about travel helps lodge it in my memory. The photos are all down to H who has a much better eye than I do.
Lovely photos, looks like a great trip. I love hearing people trying to pronounce Slathwaite
Photos are all H’s. He’s much better at it the me. I take it you’re a local or once were!
Looks like a lovely trip Susan!
It was, Cathy. Counting our lucky stars we were there last week and not during this week’s 30+ temperatures!
A corner of the country I don’t know (though I’ve been to Manchester and Macclesfield, and frequently visit friends in York). The chance to stay in Darwin’s childhood home sounds unmissable, particularly for my scientist husband!
I hope you’re coping with the heat.
It’s a bit pricey, but worth it. It’s actually his birthplace, apparently. Even without that, Shrewsbury’s well worth a visit. I’m sure your husband would enjoy the museum.
Just about, thanks. Hope you are, too. We have a basement where I’m lurking!
A basement! That’s a rarity in the UK for sure.
We had it dug out when we moved in, then made into an office when I began working from home. It’s proved very useful in hot weather.
What a lovely trip – very jealous!!
I’m so relieved we’re not there this week!
Next tme you’re in Yorkshire, I hope you might have time to add in North Yorkshire too, where a welcome would await from one of your dedicated readers! I, of course can pronounce Slaithwaite, and enjoy asking to be directed to a road bearing that name near my son’s London home, and being – always – misunderstood. What WERE the street-naming team thinking?
That sounds delightful, and I must do it! We usually veer west after visiting M but should try heading north. There’s an enjoyable smugness about knowing how to pronounce Slaithwaite for me thanks, of course, to having a local pal, but it does seem cruel to inflict it on Londoners. Perhaps a homesick member of the team.
What a fabulous trip, Shrewsbury is lovely isn’t it. Have you been to Darwin’s family home? Down House? I loved it and would love to stay where he was born. Great sounding book too!
It was so enjoyable, Jane, and I’m greatly relieved we chose last week not this one. I’ve not visited Down House but that’ll give me a nudge to go back. I’ve been very politely corrected on Bluesky – it turns out Darwin’s Townhouse isn’t his birth place as I mentioned in the comments. Bit of misreading of the marketing info on my part! But it is a lovely place to stay.
So many delights! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
I have a very good friend who lives not far from Huddersfield (in a tiny place called Birdsedge), and I know how lovely it is there. Glad you had a good time.
Thank you, Davida. I do love it but then there’s the weather as I’m sure your friend has told you – mine certainly has!
Sounds a good trip.
It was, and we had an excellent meal at The Walrus. Highly recommended if you’re ever in Shrewsbury.
Sounds like a lovely road trip Susan. It’s very warm in Ireland this week and we did our own road trip to South West Kerry for Midsummer weekend. It was lovely. I read Ali Smith’s fabulous Gliff.
We had a great time, Lucy. I hope you did, too, and had some sea breezes to cool you down.
Sounds like it managed to be both busy and relaxing – the best kind of trip!
It did, and we dodged the heatwave!
We will visit Shrewsbury again after having read your post. And of course, stay at Darwin’s Townhouse.
Thanks
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
You’re welcome. We’ll certainly be returning.
Lovely! Hope the renovations are going OK!
Thanks, Liz, I felt so sorry for the guys working in our south facing bedroom last week.