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Queen's Arms, Corton Denham, Dorset

If you fancy a weekend away in a fantastic English pub, you should try The Queens Arms, Corton Denham, Dorset.

The style and atmosphere is really cool. Handmade pork pies on the bar, a huge selection of local and organic ales, Bloody Mary's and Builders crisps on the ready, Muddy boots and dogs welcome.

I've been told that the bedrooms are luxurious and very comfortable, look at the website for photos.

It's a country pub but it feels very modern and the staff are all very young and friendly. Sometimes it can feel like the pub is full of Londoners, I prefer to talk to the down to earth locals...

Corton Denham is approximately 2 hours by car from London and it's a few minutes off the A303.

Queen's Arms website.

Enjoy my photos.

 

Dorset, various locations.

As the weather has been so amazing here recently, I visited the lovely county of Dorset over the weekend. There's no fashion or shopping in this post, the location and weather is too nice to be shopping.

There's something really special about Dorset, it feels slightly old fashioned in a good way. Lots of vintage sports cars cruising along the coastline. The beaches are unspoilt and seem to be uncommercial.

The Beach Hive Cafe.

First stop was the fantastic 'The Hive beach cafe', located in South West Dorset, just off the B3157 coast road at Burton Bradstock.

This stretch of coast has Hive cliffs made of sandstone and very good for fossil hunting.

 

The cafe is always packed with people, so try and get there early for a really tasty breakfast menu or turn up there later for a fresh fish lunch. They also serve a selection of delicious homemade cakes and biscuits that go down very well with a good quality coffee or tea.

They also sell dog bones treats for the many dogs that are seen bombing around on the beach.

It's a really interesting location with plenty of things to see but it's also very relaxing and uncommercial.

Canoeists on the beach in front of The Beach Hive Cafe.

Peaceful beach with a few fisherman, Burton Bradstock.

Chesil Beach.

Next stop was Chesil beach, another fantastic location.

Turn off the 'B3157'  into the village of 'West Bexington' to reach this beach.

Continuing along the coastal road towards Weymouth, with some stops along the way.

A few sheep in a field on the coastal road.

Look at the view!! This is still on the coastal road between Burton Bradstock and Weymouth.

B3157 coastal road towards Weymouth, magical views.

Weymouth.

Weymouth has glorious, White sandy beaches with Donkey rides, carousels and probably Kiss me Quick hats for sale!

It was a lovely, hot day when I visited and was therefore quite busy. I was particularly taken by the traditional donkey's who all seemed very happy enjoying the sun.

The donkey's have plenty of water and seem very happy.

Mind your fingers kids!

Ice cream kiosk on the beach.

I didn't venture into the shopping area but it looked like there are some interesting independent shops as well as high street shops in these pretty flag strewn streets.

www.bibisonline.com

Stocks some organic, eco labels.

Fishing boats moored in Weymouth quay. The fishermen still bring their daily catches into the town each day.

There are some great fish n' chip shops here so, grap a bag and sit on a wall or the beach and watch the world go by.

Thank you for reading my blog, I hope you are enjoying it.

 

 

Brighton on a sunny day.

Sunday was a beautiful day, so we decided to go to Brighton for the day to sit on the beach and wander around the lanes.

The beach is always entertaining in some way or another but we weren't expecting to come across a 'Separation Ceremony'!!! I didn't take a photo but now wish I had.

There were also some people in wetsuits who were practicing rescuing each other. Another thing to keep me amused...

There were hundreds of people on the beach, even someone with a top hat on...

Beautiful, floor mosaics in and around the lanes and central area.

Other things that caught my eye whilst walking around brighton...

Choccy Woccy Doobah is a really well know cake specialist.

Love the clocks.

Sweet dollface cushion.

Quirky cat tee.

A bit of London

I'm working on a big London guide for this blog but it's going to take some time as there are so many amazing places and things that I want to share. 

Anyway, here is a montage of photos from my quick trip into town last week. It's funny what you can see in an hour!

Photos from top left:-

1. Fortnum and Mason, Easter window display.

2. Japanese ladies crossing the road at Piccadilly Circus.

3 & 7. Japan Centre, Piccadilly. This is my favourite place at the moment as you can eat in the restaurant, buy fresh Japanese food from the take away supermarket and buy fashion and craft magazines from the book shop. All of this is in one place and the prices are pretty good.

4 & 5. 'Bates' hat shop, Jermyn Street, Piccadilly. I love this traditional shop where you can buy most types of traditional hats. I hope that it continues to trade for a long time because we seem to be losing these beautiful, independent shops.

6. Piccadilly Circus.

Dartington Hall, South Devon

Dartington Hall, Nr Totnes, S.Devon, TQ9 6EL.

www.dartingtonhall.com

Dartington Hall was originally built in 1388 for John Holand, the half brother of Richard II. He was beheaded in 1400 and the property then belonged to the Crown and various other owners. 

In 1559, it was purchased by Sir Arthur Chamernowne, the Vice-admiral of the West under Elizabeth I. It remained in his family until it was purchased by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst in 1925.

The hall was in a terrible state and it is said that the long drive to the grounds was completely overgrown and that the courtyard was in a state of disrepair.

The Elmhirsts had plans for Dartington hall, firstly to repair the hall and bring it back to life, then to create a school. This school is sadly closing down and is being relocated elsewhere.

They also set up a textile mill, a cider making plant and various workshops.

The hall is now run by the Dartington Hall trust and they hold very successful annual summer schools and literary festivals. There's even a permanent 'Barn cinema' and of course the 'White Hart' pub. 

It's a very popular wedding location, you can have a very grand reception in the Great Hall. There is even accommodation which includes a fabulous cooked breakfast.

The landscaped gardens are breathtaking, there are Henry Moore sculptures, and an abundance of unusual plants and flowers. The bronze donkey is well known amongst children from at least the last 4 decades and many a photo album contains a photo of a child sitting on dear old Dartington donkey.

My photos don't justify Dartington Hall but they will perhaps inspire you to visit this beautiful place. I've grown up with Dartington Hall and adore it. There's something truly magical and unique about it.

Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, Foundation Day 1967.

Entrance to the Great Hall.

'Summer House'.

Built in 1929, used as a temporary location for the Dartington nursery. Then it was used as a studio by Willi Soukop.

In the 1980's it was burnt to the ground. It has since been re built and is used by the gardening department as their office.

The Tiltyard.

Another view of the Tiltyard.

Spring is on it's way, a blanket of crocuses.