Southwell - Kidleston

View of Belton Park and house from the folly

After rain overnight the sky had cleared but the wind was blowing hard. Had breakfast and set off for a walk to the 'folly' on top of the hill at Belton. Once at the top of the hill you could then see what the landscapers were trying to achieve  in relation to Belton Hall.

Today we traveled to Southwell with the main objective the last remaining intact workhouse in the UK. With my father's grandmother being a workhouse girl of the 1840s in Ireland, this had a special attraction. At Southwell, the first of all the UK workhouses, the system for poor relief was fine tuned, which then was replicated over 600 times across the UK and Ireland. Well worth the visit.

Workhouse at Southwell

Had lunch and chatted for quite some time with a couple for the Isle of Wight. Sadly they were heading in the opposite direction to us - and in  Hymer as well!

For our afternoon we drove to Kedleston where the Curzon family had their estate - he being a former Vice-Roy of India and Foreign Minister - we thought this might be something worthwhile. It was. Many artefacts and items collected over many decades were on display.

Kedleston Hall where the film "The Dutchess" was located

Drove on to Waterhouse in Shropshire for our overnight. This took us around the edges of the Peak District - very beautiful.