Stratford-upon-Avon to Nottingham🚉: 10th May 1999

Stratford-upon-Avon to Nottingham🚉: 10.5.1999
Day 4 BritRail🇬🇧 - West Midlands Railway

Huge thank you to Sue & Richard for their warm welcome at ‘Quilt and Croissants’ guest house, 33 Evesham Place👌💓

'I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks - Twelfth Night: Act 3, Scene 3📚

Check out after a hearty full English breakfast and make a quick turn at the city centre. Stroll past the ‘American Fountain’ at Market Square to Teddy Bear Museum on Greenhill Street (since closed) and Shakespeare Hospice Charity Shop next to it, turn into Henley Street past Shakespeare Birthplace and Gift Shop and Shakespeare Centre, further down the street.

Brisk 20-minute walk along the A4390 takes you to the rail station, note the open land adjacent to the station that has since been developed into affordable housing.

Take the “10:24” train - Class 150 Sprinter no.150001 (3-car commuter diesel multiple unit) calling at Wilmcote, Henley-in Arden and Wythall.

Magnificent view of Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Camp Hill as you pass over the bridge that crosses over Bordesley Middleway, 3 minutes from Birmingham Moor Street station. It was built between 1820 and 1822 in Perpendicular Gothic style modeled on King's College Chapel in Cambridge (closed in 1971).

Change at Birmingham Moor Street, a foot path takes you to a subway 10- minute walk to 'New Street Station' and catch the “12:26 ” Central Trains🚊 1h 12m journey to Nottingham calling at Tamworth and Derby.

On arrival, checked into the Granby Hotel on 19 Station Street (since demolished), and unfazed by the intermittent rain, headed to Nottingham Castle only to bump into BBC1🎬🎥 EastEnders stars and crew filming an episode on location.

On the Robin Hood Lawn, beneath the castle, is the 7 feet tall bronze statue of Nottingham's legendary hero, Robin Hood, unveiled by the Duchess of Portland on 24 July 1952, in typical outlaw style proudly stands upon a stone plinth, his bow bent, an arrow notched and ready to fire aiming at the gatehouse and the establishment within.

There are two other smaller bronze sculptures of his merry men🏹😎😎: one behind Robin Hood statue and nearer to the castle wall depicting Little John resting casually on the ground, back to back with Friar Tuck who is seated and reading from his Bible. A third figure watching over them is Robin Hood, or possibly Much the Miller's Son.

A much smaller statue of two merry men in repose, can be seen to the left of Robin Hood statue, Alan a' Dale playing an instrument, possibly a lyre and Will Scarlett.

Plaques set into the castle's outer wall illustrate scenes from the tales of Robin Hood & his Merry Men: the first depicts Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Friar Tuck fighting Guy of Gisborne’s men, the second shows Richard the Lion heart joining the hands of Maid Marian and Robin Hood as a symbol of marriage, the third shows the famous fight between Robin Hood and Little John as they cross a river, and the fourth plaque shows a dying Robin Hood shooting his final arrow to mark his burial site.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly a warm welcome and hospitality from family friends Nox Ntuli, Salu and their adorable daughter Ayanda Ntuli over a most delicious supper of 'Pap & Vleis'👌🥘💓