Favourite Places

A few of my favourite places here in England.

First, let me take you on a stroll through the best bits of my home town in Maidstone.

The Archibishop's Palace is just a stroll away from my home. Nowadays, it's used for weddings and two of my sisters have been married here! This beautiful 14th-century building was the resting place for the Archbishops of Canterbury and their entourage as they travelled to and from London.

All Saint's Church built in Built by Archbishop Courtenay in 1395, is the Parish Church for Maidstone and has been described as the 'Grandest Perpendicular Church in England'. I love the intense feeling of local history the church offers. On a personal note, this is where one of my nieces was Christened.

This is the view of the River Medway, which runs behind the Archbishop's Palace and the church. It's one of my favourite places to take a stroll.

This bridge is a recent addition to the river view. I wasn't sure I'd like it at first, but now I think it's just right.

Maidstone isn't all beautiful by any means and some of the modern day town looks jaded, but I like this particular street. Bank Street retains much of its original 17th century charm and some of the original buildings have examples of fine decorative pargetting.

Mote Park, with its beautiful lake, is about ten minutes walk from the town and it's a place I especially love. I visit it whenever I can, no matter what the season!

This is the lake at twilight taken one summer's evening.

Now we're off to the City of Rochester! It's only a fifteen minute drive from Maidstone ...

Rochester is a lovely place to visit. It's a tiny city, full of antique shops and coffee houses!
Here's the Cathedral. Isn't it impressive?

And this is 'Chertsey's Gate' a fifteenth century gateway, leading through to Rochester Castle.

It's magnificent isn't it? I've climbed right up to the ramparts! The first castle was raised here at the time of the Norman Conquest and is mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.

One of Rochester's most famous connections is with Charles Dickens. Many of Dicken's novels include references to Rochester and the surrounding area. This picture is of the 'Dickens Centre'.

As many of you will know, my best beloved place to visit in England is beautiful Cornwall. Here are some views I'd like to share with you.

I have been visiting Boscastle for many years. There is a wonderful potter's studio and I have many examples of his work. If you walk along the pathway in the picture, you end up on cliffs, overlooking the mysteries of the Atlantic ocean. It's breathtaking!

Polperro is my favourite village in Cornwall. It has is a magical atmosphere and you can feel the local history wrapping around you.

Whenever I visit, I can't resist the dramatic beauty of the cliffs and the lively atmosphere of the working harbour.

Mousehole is another historical smuggling village, tucked away on the Southwest coast of Cornwall. It's a sleepy place and the reason I love it, is that it is completely unspoiled. Staying there is like stepping back in time and it's so relaxing!

I stumbled across Porthcurno beach by chance one year. It has to be the prettiest beach I've ever visited! It's tucked away and never seems to get very busy. You can sit and listen to the waves playing against the rocks, while you gaze out to sea pondering life's great imponderables!

Cornwall isn't just about lounging on beaches in the sunshine, this picture is of the Minnack Theatre, which was carved from the cliff at Porthcurno. It's a totally unique theatre. From 1931 until she died in 1983 the Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed by one determined woman - Rowena Cade.

I had the privilege of watching a performance of Chaucer's work at the Minnack Theatre one summer's evening. The atmosphere as twilight falls over the ocean, is incredible. If ever you have the opportunity to visit, take it, it's an experience you won't forget!

I hope you have enjoyed sharing a few of my favourite places with me.

To return to the main ALL BEAR website,
please close this window.

Paula's Places!

A few of my favourite places here in England.

First, let me take you on a stroll through the best bits of my home town in Maidstone.

	The Archibishop's Palace is just a stroll away from my home. Nowadays, it's used for weddings and two of my sisters have been married here! This beautiful 14th-century building was the resting place for the Archbishops of Canterbury and their entourage as they travelled to and from London.

All Saint's Church built in Built by Archbishop Courtenay in 1395, is the Parish Church for Maidstone and has been described as the 'Grandest Perpendicular Church in England'. I love the intense feeling of local history the church offers. On a personal note, this is where one of my nieces was Christened.

	This is the view of the River Medway, which runs behind the Archbishop's Palace and the church. It's one of my favourite places to take a stroll.

This bridge is a recent addition to the river view. I wasn't sure I'd like it at first, but now I think it's just right.

	Maidstone isn't all beautiful by any means and some of the modern day town looks jaded, but I like this particular street. Bank Street retains much of its original 17th century charm and some of the original buildings have examples of fine decorative pargetting.

Mote Park, with its beautiful lake, is about ten minutes walk from the town and it's a place I especially love. I visit it whenever I can, no matter what the season!

	This is the lake at twilight taken one summer's evening.

Now we're off to the City of Rochester! It's only a fifteen minute drive from Maidstone ...

Rochester is a lovely place to visit. It's a tiny city, full of antique shops and coffee houses! Here's the Cathedral. Isn't it impressive?

	And this is 'Chertsey's Gate' a fifteenth century gateway, leading through to Rochester Castle.

It's magnificent isn't it? I've climbed right up to the ramparts! The first castle was raised here at the time of the Norman Conquest and is mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.

	One of Rochester's most famous connections is with Charles Dickens. Many of Dicken's novels include references to Rochester and the surrounding area. This picture is of the 'Dickens Centre'.

As many of you will know, my best beloved place to visit in England is beautiful Cornwall. Here are some views I'd like to share with you.

I have been visiting Boscastle for many years. There is a wonderful potter's studio and I have many examples of his work. If you walk along the pathway in the picture, you end up on cliffs, overlooking the mysteries of the Atlantic ocean. It's breathtaking!

	Polperro is my favourite village in Cornwall. It has is a magical atmosphere and you can feel the local history wrapping around you.

Whenever I visit, I can't resist the dramatic beauty of the cliffs and the lively atmosphere of the working harbour.

	Mousehole is another historical smuggling village, tucked away on the Southwest coast of Cornwall. It's a sleepy place and the reason I love it, is that it is completely unspoiled. Staying there is like stepping back in time and it's so relaxing!

I stumbled across Porthcurno beach by chance one year. It has to be the prettiest beach I've ever visited! It's tucked away and never seems to get very busy. You can sit and listen to the waves playing against the rocks, while you gaze out to sea pondering life's great imponderables!

	Cornwall isn't just about lounging on beaches in the sunshine, this picture is of the Minnack Theatre, which was carved from the cliff at Porthcurno. It's a totally unique theatre. From 1931 until she died in 1983 the Minack Theatre was planned, built and financed by one determined woman - Rowena Cade.

I had the privilege of watching a performance of Chaucer's work at the Minnack Theatre one summer's evening. The atmosphere as twilight falls over the ocean, is incredible. If ever you have the opportunity to visit, take it, it's an experience you won't forget!

I hope you have enjoyed sharing a few of my favourite places with me. To return to the main ALL BEAR website, please close this window.



E-mail: allbearbypaula@aol.com Copyright © 1999/2007 All Bear by Paula Carter