#50places2026 Archives - James Clay Stuff

March 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Palacio Real de Madrid #50places2026

I was spending the day in Madrid and I headed over to the Palacio Real de Madrid. I didn’t have a ticket, so wasn’t expecting to be able to visit the palace. Earlier in the week I had looked over the Palacio Real de Madrid website and it looked like they had sold out of tickets.

When I was actually at the Palacio Real de Madrid they did have tickets available and there was no queue. It was late in the day, so I didn’t have a huge amount of time to explore the palace, but I was okay with that.

Walking into the palace I was impressed with the splendour of the place. The entrance hall was imposing and dramatic.

I really enjoyed walking through the state rooms. The ceiling paintings were incredible. It was a great place to see and visit.

March 5, 2026March 6, 2026

Madrid #50places2026

Having really enjoyed my (mad) day trip to Venice, it’s no surprise that I had another planned another (extreme) day trip. This time the destination was Madrid, the capital of Spain.

I have been to Spain a few times over the last ten years for holidays, but this was my first visit to the Madrid.

It’s a two hour flight from Bristol and I arrived at lunchtime. It took a while to get through the EES and passport control, and then there was a bit of a hike to get to the Metro station, but I got there in the end. It was very easy to get a tourist travel ticket for all day unlimited travel for just €10.30.

I caught the metro to the centre of Madrid, I chose a route which meant changing twice, but that was part of the fun.

I arrived at Puerta del Sol which has the infamous El Oso y el Madroño, a bronze sculpture featuring a bear & a strawberry tree. It represents the heraldic arms of the city.

I then started walking around and exploring the city. I came across the Teatro Real and impressive theatre that hosts opera.

I then headed down some side roads towards Mercado de San Miguel to grab some lunch, well wine and tapas.

Wine was amazing value at €4 for a delicious glass of white wine and served in a real glass as well.

There was so much choice in the tapas, I had a number of dishes before heading out again to explore more of the city.

I saw the impressive Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena and then headed into the Plaza de la Armería and took some photographs of the Royal Palace.

I was able to get a last minute ticket to the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid) and headed in. An amazing place with so much to look at.

After visiting the palace, I headed off to get a coffee, I sat outside and watched the world go by.

Feeling peckish I headed back to Mercado de San Miguel for more tapas and another glass of wine.

Fearing a possible delay with security and passport control at Madrid Airport, I headed back to the airport.

Once there, after six minutes I was through security and passport control… who knew it could be so speedy.

I then had a bit of a wait for my plane, but it wasn’t long before I headed back to Bristol.

I was pleased to have reached my fifty places in 2025 for my #50places2025 series of blog posts.

This year I am planning to do something similar with a new hashtag, #50newplaces2026 and it will be the same rules. Each time I visit a place I will post a blog post and some photographs. I can’t repeat places, and in an extra twist I can’t use the fifty places I visited in 2025 in the list as well (though I anticipate visiting some of those places again).

February 23, 2026

Misty Corfe Castle #50places2026

After visiting Kingston Lacy, the weather was holding and I realised I had some time, so made the last minutes decision to head to Corfe Castle, which was just twenty miles away.

As I drove the weather did start to deteriorate and by the time I arrived at Corfe Castle there was mist and drizzle. So, much so, that as I arrived the castle almost appeared out of the of mist.

I parked in the National Trust car park, and was pleased to see they also had EV chargers. I didn’t put the car on charge, but with hindsight, it might have been a good idea. At the time I had given the car a 100% charge at Kingston Lacy and hadn’t used that much driving to Corfe Castle.

After sorting out a parking ticket, I headed to the castle. There is a nice scenic route around the castle mound, but it was looking like it might be quite muddy.

Having walked through the village I headed to the castle entrance.

Corfe Castle

Royal castle established by William the Conqueror and partially destroyed in the English Civil War. Now a majestic ruin.

Current saving £33.70
One adult £14.00
Parking £5.00
Total saving £19.00
Cumulative saving £148.70
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £52.70

I had been to the castle before in March 2018. I had also seen it from a steam train back in May 2004. The weather had been quite good in March, dry and clear and the views from the castle were incredible. This time, it was just misty.

This is an incredible ruined castle, you can see where parts of the gatehouse shifted down the hill caused by the work of sappers attempting to breach the fortifications.

The castle is undergoing a three-year, £2 million conservation project looking at the stonework and preservation of decorative and historic elements.

I really enjoyed walking up to the castle and exploring the ruins. I quite liked how you can just explore the ruins and, well apart from the areas undergoing conservation, you can pretty much go anywhere within the ruins.

I would guess the views are pretty impressive, however on this visit it was just mist and cloud. I might head back there in the summer.

February 22, 2026

Kingston Lacy #50places2026

Having looked at various National Trust properties, many were still closed for the winter, one which was open and I had never visited before was Kingston Lacy down in Dorset. It was about two hours away so wasn’t going to be a quick visit.

The flooded Somerset levels were quite incredible, I was a little concerned that I might find myself on a flooded road, but I was lucky and there was no serious flooding.

Having arrived at Kingston Lacy, the entrance road was flooded. I headed to the EV charging and I put the Funky Cat on charge. I went to reception and got my membership card scanned and headed to the house.

Kingston Lacy

A lavish family home, re-imagined as a Venetian Palace, in the Dorset countryside. Classic English garden with Fernery, herbaceous borders, formal Parterre and Kitchen Garden, surrounded by Japanese-inspired planting and colourful woodland.

Current saving £12.70
One adult £21.00
Parking Free
Total saving £21.00
Cumulative saving £129.70
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £33.70

This was an incredible house. Most of the ground floor was open. Sadly, the upper floors were closed, which was a pity. I may have to make a return visit.

Many of the rooms impressed me, though the huge windows by the stairs were amazing, inspired by the Great Exhibition in London, these had huge panes of glass made by Pilkington. Went around the house again.

I liked the library and the main salon with the piano. The grand hall was very grand The double height room was very impressive.

Did think about going for lunch, but the café was very busy and there was a long queue.

Went for a walk in the grounds instead. Walked through the woodland to the Kitchen Garden. Had a coffee from the coffee kiosk and it was warm enough to sit outside on the picnic tables.

Walked through the Japanese Garden and the Formal Gardens and then back to the house.

I then went back to the stables, but the café was still busy.

Went to the shop, was tempted to get another tea towel, but I have a number of National Trust tea towels, so left it.

February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

Greenway #50places2026

As with Coleton Fishacre, I had looked into visiting Greenway last year before my membership ran out, but I missed getting there before they closed for the winter. The property is only a few miles from Coleton Fishacre, so after enjoying a few hours at Coleton Fishacre I headed off to visit Greenway.

They reopened on the 14th February, I hadn’t planned to go on the day they reopened for the new season, but the weather forecast was saying it was going to be sunny and dry, and after weeks of rain, it was too much of an opportunity to miss.

You do need to book parking when visiting the property, so I planned my visit around the car parking booking. If you came by train, boat, or bicycle, then you can just turn up, otherwise you will need to book parking, and note that it does “sell” out quite quickly.

Upon arrival my car park booking was checked and then I went to the car park. As a member I can park for free, once I got my parking ticket sorted and in the car I headed off to the house.

Greenway

Georgian house with 1950s interiors, holiday home to Agatha Christie and her family’s varied collections. Agatha Christie called Greenway ‘the loveliest place in the world’ and treasured it as a holiday home for her and her family. They filled it with items dear to them, brought to Greenway from Ashfield, Agatha’s childhood home, and from their travels and extensive collections.

Current saving -£7.90
One adult £17.00
Parking £3.60
Total saving £20.60
Cumulative saving £108.70
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £12.70

This was quite a large house. Across the house are various collections that the family amassed over the years.

I liked the pocket watch collection. The house was very much dressed as a 1950s house. Within the house are lots of references to the novels that Agatha Christie wrote including some rare first editions.

As well as the house, I took a walk in the grounds. The boat house was closed, but I walked down to it anyhow.

I stopped for a coffee and a cheese scone, however they didn’t have any, so I had a toasted teacake instead.

This visit also means that I have already saved the cost of my National Trust membership for 2026 and I am only six weeks into the year. Last year I “broke even” in March. In 2023 though managed to cover my membership cost by the end of January.

February 16, 2026

Coleton Fishacre #50places2026

I had looked into visiting Coleton Fishacre last year before my membership ran out, but I missed getting there before they closed for the winter.

I left early and arrived just before the property opened. I walked to the house and waited a short while before the front door was unlocked and in I went.

Coleton Fishacre

1920s country retreat of the D’Oyly Carte family. Arts and Crafts exterior, Art Deco interiors, servants quarters, sea views.

Current saving -£28.50
One adult £17.00
Parking £3.60
Total saving £20.60
Cumulative saving £88.10
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£7.90

Virtually all the house is open to view which was nice. I explored the upper floor first and there were some amazing views of the grounds and the sea in the distance. Unfortunately most of the original furniture was sold or disposed of, however the house has been dressed to resemble how it looked when it was built in the 1920s. There was a Country Life magazine feature on the house, so they have some reference photographs they can use. The National Trust also had some replica furniture built to match the items in the photography.

After exploring the first floor, it was down to the ground floor with the main living spaces as well as the ancillary areas such as the kitchen and pantry.

It was a beautiful house and I really appreciated been able to explore virtually all the rooms in the house.

I then stopped for a cold drink in the cafe before heading into the woods for a walk. There is a viewpoint overlooking the sea which was lovely.

Overall a lovely visit to a lovely house.

February 15, 2026

Behind Closed Doors Stourhead #50places2026

I had visited Stourhead nearly ten years ago back in May 2016. I honestly did not realise that it had been so long. I had a National Trust membership in 2023, but never got back to Stourhead that year. Last year I had planned to do a Behind Closed Doors tour, but a work thing meant I had to cancel. The tour is one of the reasons why I wanted to renew my membership for 2026.

Having arrived at the property, I was pleased to see EV chargers, so I put the Funky Cat on charge. I was less pleased to see that there had been a cable theft from the rapid chargers.

I went to reception and then headed to the house.

Stourhead

One of the first grand Palladian-style villas to be built in England, with a carriage entrance leading to the piano nobile, or main floor. World-famous landscape garden with a lake set among lawns and classical temples, surrounded by trees and with sweeping views.

Current saving -£56
One adult £23.00
Parking £4.50
Total saving £27.50
Cumulative saving £67.50
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£28.50

The tour was a one hour tour and took in the parts of the house that aren’t normally open to visitors. This included the second floor rooms, which included the nursery, as well as the servants’ bedrooms. We also were taken into the basement kitchens as well.

I found the tour fascinating and really enjoyed going behind the scenes. I had enjoyed a similar tour at Dunster Castle last March. I think I will look into similar tours at other properties.

I had booked in for the tour, however the house’s state rooms weren’t open, so I will be probably heading back there sometime again this year.

After the tour I went to the cafe for a drink and a bite to eat. I had a quiche, but wasn’t that enamoured with it, too many cranberries.

I did however go and explore the gardens.

The repair of the dam, meant that I couldn’t do the full circuit of the lake, however then the rain started to come down, so I headed back to the car park and to head back home.

February 7, 2026March 6, 2026

Venice #50places2026

So I did something mad, I did a day trip to Venice.

Actually as day trips go to Venice, I have done a fair few, but this time was the first day trip to Venice from the UK. I have been to Venice before.

My first visit to Venice was way back in 1982 whilst on a Scout Camp to Slovenia in Yugoslavia. I also went there in 1985 when we did another camp to Yugoslavia. That was a three coach drive.

My next visit was when I stayed with a friend in Padua. I think this was the summer of 1995. I visited again a number of times in the late 1990s, usually during February to coincide with carnival. Then I was catching the train from Padua to Venice.

It was 1999 (or possibly 1998) that I did my last trip to Venice. So, it had been at least twenty five years since I was last in Venice and also the last time I had been in Italy.

What I love about Venice is that it is one of those places which every time you turn a corner or cross a bridge you feel immersed into the fabric of the city. There are obviously no cars or roads (yes there are canals), but the streets are narrow and I love the almost random squares that appear out of nowhere.

One of the advantages of going off-season is that the place is a lot less crowded than at the height of carnival or in the heat of the summer. I was very lucky with the weather, it rained the day before, and the day after, on the day I was there I had sun and blue skies. I did a few tourist things, but what I really wanted was just to walk around and explore the city.

I had a fantastic lunch for €17 at a trattoria, sitting outside on the “pavement” watching the world go by.

You know when you’ve had a good day, when you don’t want to leave.

I might go again, but I won’t leave it twenty five years this time.

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Montacute House #50places2026

After enjoying my National Trust membership in 2023, I decided I would rejoin the Trust for 2025. Having also enjoyed my visits across 2025, I made the decision to renew for 2026. There are quite a few properties that I missed in 2025 which I want to visit.

Montacute House

Montacute is a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design. With its towering walls of glass, glow of ham stone and surrounding garden and parkland, it is a place of beauty and wonder.

Current saving -£71
One adult £15.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £15.00
Cumulative saving £40
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£56

I have been to Montacute House before, but I didn’t visit last year. It’s quite local to me, being just over an hour away by car. I had visited Montacute House before in August 2016 and January 2023.

I didn’t go there last year as part of my membership. The main reason was that the upper floors were closed. The staircases had been closed for safety reasons back in August 2023. They are still closed, but the plans to fix them are now in place.

On both the previous visits the upper floors were open and I was able to walk along the magnificent long gallery on the second floor. This photograph was from my 2023 visit.

I am planning to make a return visit later in the year when the staircases are fixed. After visiting Montacute House I did consider visiting one of the other nearby properties, but they were all closed for the winter. When I do visit them later in the year I might make a quick visit to Montacute House and explore the gardens when they’re dry.

January 15, 2026January 16, 2026

Marlow #50places2026

Marlow is a town on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, England, 4 miles south of High Wycombe.

I was on my way to London and I needed to charge my car, so rather than stop at the services, I came off the M4 and drove to Marlow planning to eat lunch at the branch of Côte there, which had a special price on their set menu.

Having arrived in Marlow, I drove to the car park. They had a BP Pulse fast charger (read 11 Kw), so after paying for my parking, I put the Funky Cat on charge. It took me a while as though I thought I had a BP Pulse account, I didn’t, so I had to set one up. It was priced at 65p kWh, so more expensive than a Tesla charger, but cheaper than most public chargers.

I then needed to find the Côte restaurant and discovered on Google Maps it was actually next door to the car park. So, not too far to walk. After eating lunch, the car was still charging, so I went for a walk around Marlow. It’s a pretty town, the bridge over the Thames was particularly impressive.

I was pleased to have reached my fifty places in 2025 for my #50places2025 series of blog posts.