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Explore Gloucester & Heritage Day in the Docks - Review Sept 2006
 Gloucester Docks
Cathedral Heritage Open Day
Heritage Open Day and an afternoon to spare - perfect to Explore Gloucester.
We took advantage of the FREE weekend parking by Gloucester Docks and began our visit at Nielsen’s boatyard - a fascinating insight into boat building and restoration.
T.
Nielsen & Co Ltd. restore many wonderful and historic ships, using
both modern and traditional methods. It is thanks to them that the
general public can enjoy this great nautical display, which has
included some wonderrful Tall Ships. There are two dry docks which are
constantly in use and show that this is still a working dock.
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Gloucester Docks is steeped in history.
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They also have commissions for film sets and have just finished working on "The Golden Age" to be released next year (starring Kate Blanchette and Clive Owen in a story involving Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh).
Our
daughter had a lesson on knot tying and both children asked quite a few
questions. (Good to see they learnt something on their afternoon out). We will be watching out for Jamie Green (pictured in photo gallery demonstrating knots) as an extra in the film!
Our
walk around the docks continued and we were able to watch a cruise boat
travel through a lock to continue its journey down the river Severn.
The passengers waved at the children who fortunately waved back. What a
tranquil holiday.
The quest for an ice cream took us to Merchants Quay
with its gift shops and restaurants. Pretty barges were moored up
alongside and that’s where we sat watching the Swans and the model
boats.
A lovely afternoon and we wanted to explore some more.
The last time I visited Gloucester Cathedral was a very long time ago for a school concert. Time for another look we decided.
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T. Nielsen & Co Ltd were open for the Heritage Days
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A
short walk through some old, hidden alleyways took us to this
impressive building. The scaffolding for the ongoing conservation work,
makes you realise what a mammoth task it entails in maintaining this
historic building.
Inside you cannot but marvel at the elegant
architecture. The Cloisters, now famously depicted in Harry Potter are
beautifully sculptured, as are the ceilings and of course the Great
East Window - a huge stained glass window.
The 1300-year-old
Cathedral houses the tomb of Edward II who was famously murdered at
Berkeley Castle among those of well-known local people. I tried to give
my children an insight into the history of this amazing building -
perhaps it will come flooding back to them at their school concert.
We
worked our way back to the car park through the now quiet streets of
Westgate and Southgate, taking in the historic architecture of the old
City.
Gloucester is definitely an up and coming city with so much to offer. We'll be back for 2007.
Gloucester Docks photo gallery
Gloucester Cathedral photo gallery.
Heritage Open Day at T. Nielsen & Co. photo gallery.
August 2006
Explore Gloucestershire 2008
For further information.
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Gloucester Cathedral is truely magnificent.
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