Wednesday, 27 June 2012

hawkstone follies

hawkstone follies 2

I want to show you some photos I took over the weekend of an amazing place we explored in Shropshire called Hawkstone Follies. I thought it was really enchanting. It was full of intricate pathways, towering cliffs and awesome caves and tunnels through beautiful woodland.

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There are lots of winding paths through sandstone and twisting trees, bridges to cross and ravines to walk through.

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I was really surprised by the amazing tunnels and caves carved into the sandstone… so much fun to explore. It is said that King Arthur addressed his troops here before his final battle.

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You can’t help but think of Middle Earth.

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It is a bit of a slog but you are rewarded with beautiful views. Especially if you climb the spiral staircase up to the top of the monument tower.

hawkstone tower

It gave me jelly legs and I clung to the tower for a few seconds at the top with a touch of vertigo but the view was fabulous. Please click on the panorama below for a better look.

hawkstone follies panorama

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Floss enjoyed herself, great to be able to take dogs there.

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I loved the twisted and gnarled trees and roots, and little paths where you have to duck through leafy tunnels.

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hawkstone follies 3

I am constantly noticing patterns and motifs everywhere I go since I have been doing the surface pattern course. It has changed the way I look at things.

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One of the many tunnels. You do need a torch in places, I used the flashlight app on my phone.

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There’s a cafe at the end for an ice cream and a drink. If you ever decide to go I have to warn you that 3 days later I am hobbling up and down the stairs because there was a lot of steps and steep climbs but you might be a lot fitter than me! It was definitely worth it.

5 comments:

Magic Bean said...

Hello.
That looks amazing, quite magical. Hope your jelly legs have set!
Ax

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

So good to see Floss again!
What a superb place, and it looked like you had it mostly to yourself, but for the ghost of a king...
xx
julie

Janet said...

Oh goodness, that is on my list of to do places. It looks amazing, I have never even heard of it before. Thanks for sharing xxxx

Gretel said...

Goodness, we have just moved a few miles away from there - must go over and visit, it looks amazing!

Lesley Todd said...

It's a great day out, we spent about 3 or 4 hours there. Well worth a visit. xx