Sarah has been taking a runners coaching course in Cambridge. There are four days to the course. This weekend was the first two days. While Sarah was on the first day I cycled to Ely and visited Wicken Fen on the way. For this second day, I visited Anglesey Abbey.

Interestingly, part of my cycle ride had included a section called the Lodes Way. This is part of NCN Route 11 connecting Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey.

There are lots to do at Anglesey Abbey, so I began with a cuppa while I decided where to start.

I started with a walk along the Winter Garden, while probably being at its best later in the year, was still enjoyable.

One of the features of Anglesey Abbey gardens is the plethora of statues.

To one side of the Winter Gardens was a picnic area.

Next, I visited Lode Mill. This is a restored working order watermill.

It is thought there has been a mill on the site for getting on for a thousand years. This one is eighteenth century and ground corn, and then later cement.

After falling into disrepair, it was restored by Lord Fairhaven in the 1930s.

Moving on, I arrived at the Dahlia Garden.

There were some spectacular colours to behold.

Next to this was the Herbaceous Garden.

Leaving the gardens I decided to make my way to the house.

Lord Fairhaven bought the house at an auction in 1926. He then set about remodelling and extending it into a luxurious country house.

The house is believed to have started out as the hospital of St Mary in 1135, before becoming a priory for Augustinian monks in the 13th century.

The house then changed hands a number of times before Lord Fairhaven purchased it.

It houses an important collection of books and artwork.

An extension was added to provide space for an important collection of paintings.

After leaving the house I headed over to the rose gardens.

The fragrances were delightful.

Near to the Rose Garden is the formal garden.

There were various avenues to wander down.

More sculptures …

More avenues …

And yet more sculptures.

A Skylight Garden has recently been created. Here you can lean back, look into the sky, and just … chill.

I crammed lots into my visit to Anglesey Abbey. There is so much to see and do, that a couple of visits would be recommended. That said, it is a great place to spend a day.