March 9 - 11 2022
Living in the past
Having introduced our grandson to the idea of camping last
year, we thought it time to make some proper arrangements for accommodating grandchildren
in the van. We had been aware of the Cabbunk system for a number of years, and decided
to get one fitted by the business itself, rather than do it at home. As we were
taking the van up to the Stoke on Trent area for the fitting, it seemed like a
good idea to add a couple of days on and make a trip of it.
We arrived at the home of Richard, the designer/vendor of
the system late morning, and he quickly had the uprights measured and in
position. He is a very knowledgeable and friendly chap, and a motorhomer
himself, so we spent an enjoyable hour over a cup of coffee, nattering about
trips and places to stay. The system looks simple to put up and take down, and
stows neatly in a bag.
We had booked a site at Mow Cop, Castle Camping, intending
to check in and then go for an explore. However, a series of road closures
meant we ended up driving past the car park for Mow Cop Castle, so decided to
stop for lunch and see the castle. The building is actually a folly, dating
back to 1754, and now managed by the National Trust. Although fairly bright, it
was incredibly windy when we reached the top of the hill; we had to shelter
behind a wall to be able to take photos.
Not just the castle, but the campsite a short distance
away, are high on a ridge at the western end of the Staffordshire moorlands,
meaning an exposed and windy location. Castle Camping is a C&CC certified
site, with a small number of grass pitches, but an excellent facilities block. The
next morning we headed to the National Trust gardens at Biddulph Grange, where
the sheltered location gave a respite from the wind. Created by James Bateman
in the middle of the 19th century, it was a home for the many plant
species he brought from around the world. Sadly, we weren’t visiting at the best
time to see the floral displays, but the different garden areas still provided
plenty of interest, including a Chinese Garden and a Himalayan Glen. A novel
facet was the NT volunteers stationed at various points around the gardens; we
are used to that inside a stately home, but not outside.
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| Chinese Garden |
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| Himalayan Glen |
The wind was still strong that evening (enough to blow the
large rear doors of the van closed) and the forecast for the next day was rain
in the afternoon and evening. Therefore, we decided to shorten the trip by a
night, but still use the morning for a further visit in the area. Just 4 miles
away is another National Trust property, Little Moreton Hall. Near enough, if
fact, that we were sitting in the car park the next morning waiting for the
building to open.
Little Moreton Hall was built as a statement of wealth by
the Moreton family in Tudor times. Never modernised, and slightly crooked due
to the marshy ground on which it sits, the hall is slightly different to most
NT properties. The ever-helpful and knowledgeable staff gave us a good insight
into life 500 years ago. The clouds were gathering as we finished our tasty
bowl of soup in the café, meaning a wet journey back to Warwickshire that afternoon.
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