Day two of our trip found us heading to Bridgnorth to the Severn Valley Railway to board a steam train for the 16 mile trip to Kidderminster. Bridgnorth is a lovely little station with it's own pub
and it even has a station cat called Puddles.
Of course MWM, being a steam train fanatic, took lots of photos of the engines at the station but I'll just show you a few.
The train journey was very pleasant along the banks of the River Severn and, as we had a coach allocated to our party, it gave us the chance to get to know some of our fellow travellers.
When we arrived in Kidderminster we had about an hour there to get something to eat and explore. We chose a lovely pub called The Swan, where we had a very nice sandwich and a pint of local ale, then had a quick look round before heading back to the coach for our next excursion.
The Swan, Kidderminster
inside The Swan, Kidderminster
Kidderminster Town Hall is a lovely building and was right opposite The Swan.
Our next stop, after lunch, was to the Red House Glass Cone at Stourbridge, where the famous Stuart Crystal was made. In the heart of the glass making industry, the 18th century Cone was used for the making of glass until 1936. Reaching 100 feet into the sky it is one of only four remaining in the country. A brick making factory was built specifically to make the bricks to build the cone. It is now a heritage site with exhibitions, live glassmaking and craft studios and there are fine examples of Stuart Crystal, past and present, in the museum.
This is the view of the top of the cone from inside.
Inside the Cone
Some of the items made there
Glass Curtains
We also watched a demonstration of Glass Blowing shown on the short video below, look out for the popcorn at the end.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Glass Cone and would have loved to have spent more time there but unfortunately our coach was waiting to take us back to the hotel for dinner.
I hope you enjoyed todays excursions and will join me next time for the RAF Museum at Cosford and Blist's Hill Victorian Town.
25 comments:
What an absolutely delightful-looking town Kidderminster is!
So CHARMING!
As I've shared before, that's what I love about European countries - the old architectural beauty!
Really enjoyed the video. HA! LOVED the popcorn ending!!!
Also great photos, m'dear! That last one of the open window and glass curtains is STUNNING!
Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy your tours!
X
Oh those glass curtains really make me smile! I didn't realise there was so much to see there. I hope you will like Blists Hill, it used to be one of our favourite places when the kids were small.
Glad you enjoyed it Ron. The glass curtains are quite spectacular aren't they?
We really did enjoy Blists Hill Jenny, we went a few weeks ago but I'm only just getting round to writing about our trip.
Would love to drink a pint at the Swan.
very interesting! if you get to venice see the murano glass! love it!
smiles, bee
xoxoxooxoxxo
I LOVE Red House Cone. It was one of my favourite spots when I was working for BW surveying the canals. The cafe is lovely and the the old overnight canal stop a couple of locks upstream is a gorgeous place to sit on a sunny afternoon.
Love the architecture.
Great pictures of the railway. Hubs studied them before I could reply!
I didn't go to the Red House Glass Cone when I was in Stourbridge and now I'm wishing I had. I think a bit of persuasion is called for.
Love Puddles!!
I hope you get to do it Beach
Oh yes I will Bee, I love Murano Glass, well any glass really, I have quite a collection already.
I really enjoyed Red House AJ, it's so interesting.
Me too Trav
Ah your hubs is a train buff too eh Valerie? LOL I hope you get to Red House Glass Cone you'll love it, it's so interesting.
Oh yes, Puddles was so cute Flowerpot.
what fun .. trains and glassblowing .. two fascinating subjects .. truly .. and I love the Puddles sleeps in a carton filled with styrofoam peanuts .. I bet its comfy cozy
Great pictures!
I can just imagine how long glass curtains would last at my house!
We thought so too Daryl. Puddles was happy. :)
Glad you enjoyed the pics Mama Zen. The glass curtains were very pretty but not practical. LOL
It's been a lifetime since I last visited Kidderminster, ahhhhhhhhhh, I do miss being able to just hop into the car (or onto a train) for a day trip out like that. But Pearl, you and hubby MUST come over to our little isle sometime, as you know, we also have steam trains galore (smile). How quintessentially British to have a station cat there, ha, too cute for words!
I spent a good few years holidaying on the Isle Of Man when I was a child Shrinky, the last time I visited I was about 15 years old. Hubby has never visited so I may bring him, I've certainly told him enough about it. :)
A pint or two at the Swan would certainly hit the spot. Love those steam trains.
Beatufiul photos and:
What a coincidence. A railway cat. I was thinking only this morning of that famous ginger tom who lived in the ladies' toilets in a London railway station... did you ever meet him??!
cool trains
This was a lovely post and I'm sure that you will have seen my pictures of a similar steam train trip which my grandsons enjoyed.
I just love watching glass blowing and find it really fascinating as well as clever.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Thanks Gleds. I didn't know about the ginger cat in the London station - how interesting.
Yes they are Adam :)
Yes I remember your post about the trains Maggie. The glass blowing was fascinating!
We have a steam train passes by our house all summer plenty to watch everyday and it goes past Agatha Christie's house.
I love the way you show us all so much of where you go and what you do. We get to enjoy the trips with you and it's like having been there ourselves xx
I love your pictures! You really pick wonderful shots. I'd so like to get the chance to visit some of the places you shown here but if I never do, I've seen the beauty through your photos!!!
such glorious machines. enjoyable trip. thank you
A pub right at the station, very convenient!
Glass blowing is so interesting. Loved the popcorn pops at the end!
Glad you had another lovely trip.
I'm so pleased you enjoy our trips Lorraine x
It's so nice that you enjoy our trips Nitebyrd I hope you do get to visit all these places for yourself. x
Oh yes they are indeed Cloudia :)
Yes indeed very convenient Crystal chick. I found the glass blowing fascinating too.
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