Cornwall, England

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• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
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The architect, Edwin Lutyens didn't try to emulate a fairy-tale castle . . . and that certainly has been done a few times. The building is certainly large and the initial impression is one of Tudor and Norman influences but I was struck that it looked a bit art-deco.

We enjoyed the visit perhaps because there was a guide and the two of us, and the guide certainly knew his stuff and loved to discuss the place. Perhaps because it was a rainy March day and the atmosphere was fittingly gloomy and we were the only ones about.

We loved the place. We admired the fine oak interiors and Drewe's intention . . . to create a place ostentatious enough to make him admired, and comfortable enough in which to live. Our guide showed us through much of the place . . . impressive private rooms down to the mechanicals, which were 20th-century modern.

Drogo is an enjoyable site because it is whole . . . furnished, elegant, and with a good story behind it.

Exeter Cathedral doesn't soar . . . it's got shoulders, its got presence. It appears taller than Winchester, much shorter than Salisbury. The interior is perfect English Gothic, the building claiming to be the longest uninterrupted vault in the world. It is, apparently 300 feet long and extremely striking.

The building is essentially 13th and 14th century, and there are many things to see but you are expected to notice, in particular, the 15th-century cathedral clock (the sun and the moon revolved around the earth in those days) and the minstrels' gallery. There are signs throughout pointing out the cathedral's many features and once the school children have left it makes a fine tour.

As you leave, look around the Cathedral Close . . . there are some beautiful buildings in the area and if you want to just pop down the street past St. Martins' Church, you will find yourself in the High Street.

Frankly, Tintagel is a natural as much as an historical attraction. The visitor is asked to scale steep stone stairways to fully appreciate the site. My observation was, at the time, that I was glad that I hadn't put this off into my dotage. Far below, the relentless Atlantic waves beat down on Merlin's Cave.

Tintagel doesn't get much of a mention in many tourist guides, but I enjoyed the beauty of the site and possibly the romanticism associated with it. To get to the castle site, one drives into Tintagle town and parks. Then there is a fair walk to the site itself. Remember, you will be scaling some steep staircases. You might come here and avoid the stairs, but then what would be the point as so much of the site would be unavailable to you.

Tintagel town is nice enough although everything seems to bear the name of Arthur or Guinivere or Lancelot or Merlin ad infinitum.

Land's End itself has a bit of the carnival about it with a number of exhibits and restaurants. I found them surprisingly easy to ignore because the reason to visit is the view of cliffs, the roar of ocean and the desolation of the Land's End lighthouse perched on its rock out to sea.

Again, the reason for coming to such a place in March is for the solitude, the lack of bus tours, the relaxed atmosphere and the ability to enjoy a snack in the window of the restaurant-pub while one stares out to sea. Even the chap at the gate of the pay-parking lot waved us through at no charge after a little banter about our place of origin and the weather.

In reflection, you go to Land's End because it's there . . . the last stop before Nova Scotia. It's not a destination, but if you're hiking or driving the coast, do drop in.

The fortification is one of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses which protected the entire length of the south coast of England. The main gate is a bit of a walk from the carpark. Upon entering, one should ascertain a time to visit (by guided tour) the Half Moon Battery. Having done that, one can explore the rest of the fortification before or after the Half Moon tour. The tour will begin at the discovery center, which is probably a good place for the visitor to go at the time of arrival, anyway.

Half Moon Battery is a World War II installation with massive artillery and an extensive ammunition store and fire-control house. In the depths of the ammunition store, the visitor will experience a sound and light show of the battery in action during an aircraft raid.

On your own, you can visit the One-Gun battery with its "disappearing gun", the war shelter and the East Bastion. The focal point of the tour will be the Keep, Henry VIII's original fortification where one can axperience the sights and sounds of a Tudor gun action.

Okay, I am a fortifications aficionado . . . my wife is very patient with me. This was a good one because the demonstrations ranged from late medieval to modern. Will everyone enjoy this as much as I did? Do you like fortifications?