Fascinating. And I’m with you on Airbnb. I now no longer use it unless I can find places that are a part of someone’s home, not separate places that could be a local person’s home. I know what it is to live in a place where there is an acute shortage of housing for local people, and holiday lets (while undoubtedly tourists benefit the local economy) exacerbate this. Whereas hotels and proper bed and breakfasts provide jobs. We live and we learn.
I absolutely agree with you about landmarks immersing you in the place they are situated but part of how they do that is to make us realise how far we have come and how difficult life was for the people sometimes that occupied that space. They are brilliant architecturally and the impact and attention to detail of the social and architectural history is second to none. Sadly, after 35 years of doing one a year, we have stopped booking them. They are incredibly expensive, there is never enough hot water, the heating is always woefully inadequate and unfortunately in many we have been in they are actually quite difficult to be in for longer than a weekend and to manage well because the incessant cold gets to you and being clean is important. The log books are brilliant always. I think it is sad to walk away from them and to stop supporting them but I do feel that the benefits do not outweigh our last experience of being absolutely frozen for four days in Roslin castle with only one fire and a small electric heater from the 1970’s and only three inches of bath water for one person a day. In those circumstances I can understand the appeal of airbnb……..
I agree, many of the LT's places have become very expensive. But smaller places Mon-Fri out of season are still good value. They used to put 'H' for 'hardy' next to chilly properties, but don't seem to any more. That was always a good indication that you'd freeze!
Sadly I am still slaving away for the NHS and mid week breaks are rare. But I know they are cheaper then. I would recommend the Bird House if you haven’t been. Truly magical and warm with hot water in the most fantastic setting. Take binoculars and warm slippers to sit on the balcony. It was owned by the Vivat Trust before they dissolved and has a slightly different vibe but still very much a landmark
Yes, I know it's not easy for many people to take advantage of the lower prices during the week. The Bird House looks great! We stayed in a Vivat Trust place once and while it was lovely, it still didn't quite have the LT touch.
Ah, Bunner’s… Half an hour’s drive from my house and the final stretch to Montgomery has the longest straight stretch of road I know. The best view of it is from the castle. A veritable treasure trove of everything a girl needs for the house, but doesn’t know it, yet.
If you make it back to Montgomery be sure to sample the local beer, Monty’s, award winning ales brewed by the delightful Pam Honeyman. I taught with Pam until unexpected events took her away. On her return some years later she brewed a keg, took it to the local hostelry & a visiting CAMRA writer told her to pack in her day job. I shall celebrate Christmas with a bottle of DingDong.
Also, until COVID Colinette, of the beautiful hand-dyed yarns at Llanfair Caereinion, had a delightful little gallery in the broad street, selling cards, clothes, nicknacks and the last few skeins of her gorgeous wools. Her son started up the dyeing business again, in Saffron Waldon I think, so Jitterbug & Hullabaloo are back. Yey!
After my introduction to Landmark Trust Ireland in May - 3 lighthouse keepers’ cottages with 10 Yanks - I aim to book one this year. One of our party works for LT USA in Dummerston VT. She had the delights of caring for Rudyard Kipling’s home.
The ripples from the circles of life always amaze me.
I so agree with your assessment of Airbnb, smelly diffusers and all. Airbnb has contributed to the growing lack of affordable housing for workers in US cities and towns.
Fabulous piece as always, such interesting facts and photos. I have been over that aqueduct in one of the boats and as someone who is terrified of heights I found it not at all scary and even managed to stand up to fully appreciate the view! But not for a thousand pounds would I attempt to walk across it! I'm aware of LT properties but you do need deep pockets!
I agree that LT holidays can be very expensive but some, like Poultry Cottage, are good value out of season and during the week (the latter is annoying, I know).
Fascinating. And I’m with you on Airbnb. I now no longer use it unless I can find places that are a part of someone’s home, not separate places that could be a local person’s home. I know what it is to live in a place where there is an acute shortage of housing for local people, and holiday lets (while undoubtedly tourists benefit the local economy) exacerbate this. Whereas hotels and proper bed and breakfasts provide jobs. We live and we learn.
Can't agree more about Airb&b - we won't use them.
I loved this post! But Wales is so far from NYC, it will need to be just armchair traveling for now. Thank you, Jane. You brighten Sunday mornings.
Ditto the comment about having Yarnstorm back. Thank you!
Its so lovely to have Yarnstorm back.
I am quite ready to give up on Airbnb so will be exploring the Landmark Trust although it seems you need deep products.
Brilliant! I’m always amazed at the breadth and depth of your knowledge, not to mention your pithy comments. Thank you!
I absolutely agree with you about landmarks immersing you in the place they are situated but part of how they do that is to make us realise how far we have come and how difficult life was for the people sometimes that occupied that space. They are brilliant architecturally and the impact and attention to detail of the social and architectural history is second to none. Sadly, after 35 years of doing one a year, we have stopped booking them. They are incredibly expensive, there is never enough hot water, the heating is always woefully inadequate and unfortunately in many we have been in they are actually quite difficult to be in for longer than a weekend and to manage well because the incessant cold gets to you and being clean is important. The log books are brilliant always. I think it is sad to walk away from them and to stop supporting them but I do feel that the benefits do not outweigh our last experience of being absolutely frozen for four days in Roslin castle with only one fire and a small electric heater from the 1970’s and only three inches of bath water for one person a day. In those circumstances I can understand the appeal of airbnb……..
I agree, many of the LT's places have become very expensive. But smaller places Mon-Fri out of season are still good value. They used to put 'H' for 'hardy' next to chilly properties, but don't seem to any more. That was always a good indication that you'd freeze!
Sadly I am still slaving away for the NHS and mid week breaks are rare. But I know they are cheaper then. I would recommend the Bird House if you haven’t been. Truly magical and warm with hot water in the most fantastic setting. Take binoculars and warm slippers to sit on the balcony. It was owned by the Vivat Trust before they dissolved and has a slightly different vibe but still very much a landmark
Yes, I know it's not easy for many people to take advantage of the lower prices during the week. The Bird House looks great! We stayed in a Vivat Trust place once and while it was lovely, it still didn't quite have the LT touch.
Ah, Bunner’s… Half an hour’s drive from my house and the final stretch to Montgomery has the longest straight stretch of road I know. The best view of it is from the castle. A veritable treasure trove of everything a girl needs for the house, but doesn’t know it, yet.
If you make it back to Montgomery be sure to sample the local beer, Monty’s, award winning ales brewed by the delightful Pam Honeyman. I taught with Pam until unexpected events took her away. On her return some years later she brewed a keg, took it to the local hostelry & a visiting CAMRA writer told her to pack in her day job. I shall celebrate Christmas with a bottle of DingDong.
Also, until COVID Colinette, of the beautiful hand-dyed yarns at Llanfair Caereinion, had a delightful little gallery in the broad street, selling cards, clothes, nicknacks and the last few skeins of her gorgeous wools. Her son started up the dyeing business again, in Saffron Waldon I think, so Jitterbug & Hullabaloo are back. Yey!
After my introduction to Landmark Trust Ireland in May - 3 lighthouse keepers’ cottages with 10 Yanks - I aim to book one this year. One of our party works for LT USA in Dummerston VT. She had the delights of caring for Rudyard Kipling’s home.
The ripples from the circles of life always amaze me.
I so agree with your assessment of Airbnb, smelly diffusers and all. Airbnb has contributed to the growing lack of affordable housing for workers in US cities and towns.
Packing my bags…I’m off to Wales 💃🏽
Fabulous piece as always, such interesting facts and photos. I have been over that aqueduct in one of the boats and as someone who is terrified of heights I found it not at all scary and even managed to stand up to fully appreciate the view! But not for a thousand pounds would I attempt to walk across it! I'm aware of LT properties but you do need deep pockets!
I agree that LT holidays can be very expensive but some, like Poultry Cottage, are good value out of season and during the week (the latter is annoying, I know).