We escaped our own four walls to spent a few hours wandering around in glorious bright sunshine.
The fountain bears a passing resemblance to the famous Trevi fountain in Rome, but this one is just a few miles down the road from us in the Cotswolds at Cheltenham.
Carved out of Portland stone and erected on this spot over 125 years ago, it shows the Roman mythological god of fresh water and the sea, Neptune, his counterpart being the Greek god Poseidon. It is one of Cheltenham's many iconic street landmarks that are scattered around the town.Neptune sits on his shell chariot whilst holding his trident, which is drawn by four seahorses, and accompanied by two shell blowing mermen (tritons).
Wide tree-lined shopping boulevards
Large green open spaces
Cheltenham is blessed with several stunning parks, beautiful spaces to sit and watch the world go by, enjoy a picnic, run, walk the dog, play a game of boule, tennis, or even swim in their 1930s open air Lido pool.
The top of the fountain appears to show pelicans which have been used ever since medieval times to represent piety.
We returned home happy for our escape along with a bag full of tasty goodies for the fridge to enjoy this coming weekend.
Cheltenham really is an attractive and elegant town, and a walk in the sunshine would be quite a tonic these days. The fountain is lovely, and I can see the passing resemblance to the Trevi. The pelicans are a very stylish touch; I have never heard they represent piety. I hope you enjoy your tasty goodies, and have an enjoyable weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt was a tonic, good to be out in the sunshine, and sometimes it is good to look at things which although very familiar to you can be viewed anew through new eyes. Pelicans are often shown in religious imagery - the arrangement of the mother pelican and her young has come to be called "the pelican in her piety"; it consists of the mother standing over her dead (or reviving) chicks, her head bent down in a graceful curve to cut open her breast and drip blood on her young. In a religious allegory the pelican is Christ cutting open its own breast to represent Christ's death on the cross, and the shedding of his blood for mankind.
DeleteI visited Cheltenham many years ago (at least thirty) and remember it as a very pleasant town. I went to a bakery/tuck shop, managed very well it seemed by a couple of outrageously gay guys, and bought a sandwich, an egg custard and a drink of some kind, and went to eat in a park, where I alternated between lifting my binoculars to look at the birds, and the food to my mouth. It was a charming park with flowers, trees, bright sunshine and birds! What more could a Canadian visitor wish for?
ReplyDeleteI suspect that you may have been almost across the road from Neptune's fountain situated on the main promenade in Cheltenham. There is a very large square there which is surrounded by tall trees and very colourful municipal flowerbeds which is called Imperial Square.
DeleteHello Rosemary, Cheltenham seems like a magical place. I would like to have a picnic on that green lawn area surrounded by trees--perhaps at the edge of the shadowy area under the trees.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - at the very far end of this green, lush area, and hidden behind those trees is the open air lido. The Regents really knew how to build gracious domestic and civic buildings set in some very pleasing landscapes.
DeleteI loved your facts and photos of Cheltenham! Back in the '90s the company I worked for had a head office in Cheltenham and I'd often have to go down for training courses and meetings and absolutely loved strolling around the town centre admiring the architecture and posh shops we didn't have in Birmingham! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Vix - I am pleased that you enjoyed seeing this reminder of days you spent in Cheltenham during the '90s.
DeleteWhat a beautiful spot! Love the dappled, shady boulevards!
ReplyDeleteIt is rather pleasing that Cheltenham still retains so much of its former glory as a Regency Spa Town from more than 200 years ago.
DeleteWhat beautiful pictures. I feel as if I've been transported there, and enjoyed so much the scenery. Since it's somewhere I'm unlikely to visit, I appreciate this virtual visit. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that you enjoyed your virtual visit - thank you Barbara.
DeleteSpent a week there years ago and enjoyed it, even though it was blowing a gale for most of it. Nice place, good museum, and ended up in Cirencester Great Park which must have the longest entrance drive/walk of all. Miles of it in a perfectly straight line done against a constant roaring 50 mph headwind. Much easier walking back with the wind behind you. Always remember that as a tough day out.
ReplyDeleteYou are talking about what is known as the Broad Ride that crosses Cirencester Park over the Bathhurst Estate. It is ages since I last did that walk, and now that you have reminded me of it I will do it sooner rather later, and include a post for you.
DeleteSuch a beautiful town. I love the fountain. You could spend a life time touring all the beautiful places the UK.
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes we tend to take so much of our antiquity for granted, which we really shouldn't do.
DeleteDziękuję za miły komentarz.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful town to go to, Rosemary! And I am sure you enjoyed it in the fine sunny weather, and as you wrote, "escaped" - a change in surroundings does help to become in these scary times light-hearted again, and you have it at your doorsteps!
ReplyDeleteWe have made a point of having at least one day per week out ever since lockdown was lifted. As I am sure you know I am not used to being confined to my home week after week. Normally we would have travelled to somewhere here or visited a couple of other countries. Whether that will ever happen again - no one knows. but as you mention we are fortunate to have places to visit on our doorstep, places that are safe, and where you can maintain a social distance from one another.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteCheltenham is a lovely place with quite a history to tell.
Love the fountain and also the tree lined boulevard.
Very attractive is the large green open space!
Glad you enjoyed your escape.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - Cheltenham is on our doorstep but even so it is good to look at familiar places with renewed eyes. Those lovely green areas and parks could so easily have been destroyed and built upon. I really appreciate the fact that the town has retained so much of its historic character and buildings.
DeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteWhat a fountain!
ReplyDeleteI like it, and many visitors to the town do as well.
DeleteHow lovely to see all these lovely Cheltenham spots - another famous British town I've never visited.
ReplyDeleteRosemary, how close to your home would it be - also how far are you from Cirencester>
Enjoy your weekend - looking forward to see where you travel to next week.
Cirencester will be my next port of call Mary - there is a walk that I intend to do there which takes you through the Bathhurst Estate - one of my blog friends has just reminded me about it on this post.
DeleteBoth places are very local - Cirencester 20mins, Cheltenham 30mins.
That is absolutely a beautiful fountain along with the trees in the street and the garden which is colourful, a lovely place to visit and walk.
ReplyDeleteI feel fortunate to have so many interesting places on my doorstep, especially when travel both generally, and especially overseas, is such a no, no just now.
DeleteWhat a lovely town. Glad you were able to spend some time there and share with us.
ReplyDeleteIf I can get out to somewhere other than my home at least once a week then I am happy.
DeleteThanks for that lovely tour of Cheltenham. It's not somewhere I've ever visited though I've seen pictures of it since childhood as my old art teacher used to go there on his holidays and always came back with a sheaf of exquisite drawings - just to show us that he could "do" as well as "teach".
ReplyDeleteIt is a town that has always attracted artists, musicians, and writers. I know that you will be aware of the many established annual festivals held in Cheltenham.
DeleteIt feels so good to see something else than the four walls indeed. Very pretty photos.
ReplyDeleteIt does indeed.
DeleteCheltenham is a strange place. A spa, a finishing school for young ladies and GCHQ. I always enjoy the drive to it. From my side you go past the Cistercian abbey (the famous name of which I have forgotten...).
ReplyDeleteYes you are thinking of Prinknash - I pass it too.
DeleteLovely lovely pictures...always so nice visiting your blog Rosemary :)
ReplyDeleteLove from Titti
You are very kind with your comments Titti💚
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteWish we could have fountains. They are such wonderful gathering places and a good place to orient oneself from.
As always, your photos are stunning and to top that, I now know of another beautiful spot in England.
Dear Gina - Cheltenham is my nearest big town. It's really easy to be complacent about places that you know well, so I endeavoured to see it as a tourist or someone unfamiliar with the town might view it.
DeleteI am doing all of my photos now on new PicMonkey now trying to acquaint myself with it. There are still things that they have yet to include and work out e.g. so far you cannot make collages. I don't understand why these new setups take so long to get right. They have been working on new PicMonkey and new Blogger for at least 18 months may be even longer. If you do try it and need any help just give me a shout.
Some very bold planting combinations. They work though don’t they?
ReplyDeleteYes, we liked the planting - lovely colours, and very appropriate as we approach the eve of summer.
DeleteThe fountain is indeed like the Trevi. What a beautiful city! Another one to go onto the list for One Day ...
ReplyDeleteIt is a place that is well worth a visit - good museums, concerts halls, along with plenty of interesting places to visit all within a close vicinity.
DeleteWhat a nice outing. Loved the picture of the green grass. Would like the walk through it bare footed.
ReplyDeleteI was in Cheltenham in the last 70’s. I may just have a picture of that fountain somewhere. I remember the people at the hotel being so friendly and helpful. We were traveling with an infant.
Enjoy your weekend.
I am pleased to know that you have visited Cheltenham, and I am pleased that you received a friendly and helpful reception. Let me know if you do find a photo of the fountain.
DeleteCheltenham looks like an interesting city to explore. It's good to get away from one's own four walls occasionally, isn't it? We've been able to take some trips away, too, and they brighten up the spirit. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of us like to be confined for long periods of time, but as you mention getting away does really brighten up the spirits.
DeleteWe have two short trips coming along shortly staying at hotels, and I am really looking forward to having my meals prepared for a change.