A West Midlands Miscellany

Locations shown below

This past weekend, we took a trip "down south" to see friends and visit some sights in the west midlands.  Below is a succinct review/photo set of each location seen.

Tewkesbury Abbey

A nice abbey northwest of Cheltenham.  One effigy features a decaying corpse- cool.
Rating: B

Goodrich Castle

A nice English Heritage castle, reasonably intact, pleasantly situated on a hill overlooking the Wye river.
Rating: A

Puzzle Wood

The most unique place visited during the trip, Puzzle Wood is thought to have inspired frequent visitor J.R.R. Tolkien to think up Mirkwood Forest in The Lord of the Rings.  It's a small section of mysterious woodland, abounding with moss-covered boulders, ancient trees, and narrow gullies.  Only about a mile of paths total, it can be seen in a pleasant hour of wandering.  Well worth it.
Rating: A

Ludlow Castle

A scenic castle of historical importance, Ludlow guarded the Welsh borders in Medieval times.  Parts of it date from the Norman era.
Rating: B

Stokesay Castle

A fortified Medieval manor home, upon which Kevin Crossley-Holland based one location in his excellent trilogy on Arthur (my reviews here, here, and here).  It's very small, and the interior is largely unimpressive, but if you're an English Heritage member, and near Ludlow (Stokesay is 7 miles north), it's worth it.
Rating: B