Up north to pubs and places in Yorkshire

Tourists go to York to see the Cathedral and walk around the ancient castle walls. You can shop in the Shambles and visit a museum or two. Yorkshire also has Bronte country and the steam railways and the railway which goes through Howarth area to the station where the film The Railway children was set. If you have already done that or have family or friends see the Pubs. My friend Tim went to a Methodist school, then a boarding school, called Woodhouse Grove, and the prep school was called Bronte House. Charlotte Bronte was a former governess to the family in the old house. The school now has surrounding modern buildings. Tim recalls stained glass windows.

Unlike London, which has red brick houses built of  clay brick, notice the colour of the grey sandstone walls of buildings and boundary walls.

The Malt Shovel pub. A malt shovel was used for making beer. 

Commonwealth War Graves plaque.

In the town of Baildon of West Yorkshire. Methodist Wesley preached here.

Photos by Trevor Sharot.

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Book Your Ticket, or Xmas Gift, A Ride on the Bluebell Railway or watch the video

The magic of the gleaming steam train, climb aboard. The station master in his peaked black cap blows his whistle. Puff puff, chuff chuff. Wave goodbye. Diddle-ee-dum, on the rails. Look out of the window and watch the passing scenery. Brace yourself for the steep descent. Where is it? Sussex. Southern England. The warm south. Warm but wet sometimes, which is a good thing because it makes the scenery green. Is it the bluebells in springtime which give their name to the Bluebell Railway?

Photograph from Wiki Commons.

Bluebell Railway Train Rides
The steam train service goes to and from East Grinstead in Sussex. In winter they run Santa special and reindeer journeys.
You may have seen the trains in films such as The Railway Children, The Wind in the Willows and 101 Dalmations.
The trains also appear in a book by Rev Awdry.

The Society running the line has 30 locomotives. The service is run by volunteers.

The Museum
See the museum at Sheffield Park Station.
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
Armchair travellers can watch the train chuffing along on a YouTube video.

Planning Your Trip
You can book dinner on the train as a birthday treat or Xmas gift. Reviews on Tripadvisor
You can get a discount by booking well in advance for an all day ticket.

The Gardens
You could combine a railway trip with a visit to Sheffield Park and Garden, nearby with a connecting bus. The Sheffield Park and Garden is a National Trust property which will be open all year except Xmas Day. More details from
National Trust website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden - See more at: http://www.bluebell-railway.com/national-trust-garden-sheffield-park/#sthash.rNpzZ1Cc.dpuf


Prices are quite high.
But some dates are already fully booked.
New Year's Eve is £150. That includes mulled wine and canapés on arrival as well as dinner and coffee and petits fours.
More on the Bluebell Railway and the Bluebell Vineyard in a previous post.