Simon Chesters Thompson

Freelance speaker and writer of heritage guidebooks and articles.
European tour creator & leader for Arts & Crafts Tours Inc. New York

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

First outing after Covid and self-isolation reading and daytime TV binge to extraordinary @VanGoghExpo and VR at @visit_leicester AllSaints redundant church.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Interesting piece on #lidos in latest @ThisEngland mag. I used to find a length of fab #Edwardian #TootingBecLido like open water swimming, but today ventured into a cool Lincoln gravel pit. (photo doesn't show lifeguards & other swimmers!).

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Drove through Denstone in rolling N. Staffs en route to Alton Towers and saw church, vicarage & school by G E Street - one for @thevicsoc ; and here's old Alton Towers station - now @LandmarkTrust in @ChurnetValley down the line from @CVRofficialsite steam railway.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Wonderful early morning on #Culverthorpe Parkland and Farmland Walk @AllTrails in @Visit_Lincs . Culverthorpe Hall through mist across the lake. Its early c18 additions by the Stantons: local masons who created @BeltonHouseNT stables - now restaurant, etc.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

@RebeccaJWallis @BeltonHouseNT Thank you, fellow Cestrian, x

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Spring sunshine & a final visit to @BeltonHouseNT before my official departure from the National Trust tomorrow. I'm just one of the hundreds - or is it thousands? Here's the water conduit house. I love the crow step gables.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

@TheRebeccaRiots @BeltonHouseNT Thanks Beccy - It was always fun coming to Coughton. In fact, Courtney's flowers are still on top of my corner cupboard. I still haven't been to Chastleton, so hope to see you there. x

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

@constantwhine Many thanks Matthew

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

@OA_Architecture @NTStoneywell Thank you Stephen - What fun and interesting projects we've worked on together, e.g. Epworth Old Rectory. Let's please keep in touch.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Won't be many round the table this Christmas, but at least there are berries on the holly. And my cactus seems determined to beat the blues by starting early.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Here's @EnglishHeritage 's #Lyddington Bede House in @DiscoverRutland set up to house the poor. With Covid fuelled economic catastrophe looming we'll need more bede & almshouses. I think I'll put my name down for one.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Still some visitors to #Bath in the time of Covid and fine distant grey views on @NTBathSkyline walk. My wife recalls swimming this weir below Adam's Pultenay Bridge in pre-Health & Safety early '80s summer terms at school. I think this is now discouraged.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

A late c17 London & Wise avenue @burghleyhouse felled & replanted beautifully to match the original. Will @NTClumberPark one day have to consider this for its fabulous Lime Tree Avenue? And this log's been made into a very Spirit of Place cycle rack.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Was keen to see famous @ShibdenHall before they close to film another series of the fab #GentlemanJack . Had a wonderful wander round the originally furnished rooms. Outside, liked the Lister family's early c18 chaise carriage.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

The conker I picked up seven years ago. Now, like my son, taller than me. Horse chestnuts always the first in leaf in spring, and then seem first too to show that summer's past.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

I suspect Tuesday was the last day of summer, but it certainly stays warm in Grade 1 listed Sefton Park's fabulous Victorian @The_Palmhouse in #Liverpool . But get there before 4 o'clock to be in time for tea. Opposite is a Peter Pan statue like Kensington Gardens only bigger.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Castle comforts circa 1200 @conisbrocastle - nice warm fire and en suite in the de Warenne's bedchamber @EnglishHeritage 's Conisbrough Castle: romantic inspiration for #SirWalterScott 's #Ivanhoe of 1819. Would have been quite cosy with the original wall hangings & cushions.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

@constantwhine @LincolnCastle @LincsCathedral @Visit_Lincs @VisitEngland Fair to middlin' thanks, and hope you're getting by too.

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

Nearly all #Lincoln looked beautiful in September sunshine - especially with afternoon drinking in @LincolnCastle grounds - but it's no surprise many think @LincsCathedral the finest, so @Visit_Lincs is a must when you @VisitEngland .

[Simon Chesters Thompson @simonchesters66]

@constantwhine @LincolnCastle @LincsCathedral @Visit_Lincs @VisitEngland Yes, v. Steep Hill just down on the right. I once saw a man cycling up it on a creaky old sit-up-and-beg.