The monks’ day-room is a large building 60 feet long by 22 feet wide.  The upper floor, forming one half of the dormitory, has disappeared, but there still remain the bases of the two central pillars which supported the groined roof.  The restoration of Cleeve Abbey was carried out several years ago by Mr. G.F.  Luttrell of Dunster Castle.  Before that time the whole place was used as a farm, and floors of encaustic tiles were buried deep in farm-yard rubbish.  There is practically no recorded history of Cleeve Abbey.

One shilling is charged for admission for one person, or sixpence each for a party of two or more.

[Illustration:  THE GATE-HOUSE OF CLEEVE ABBEY.

The monastic buildings are all beyond the grassy space inside the gateway.]

HAWARDEN

=How to get there.=—­Train from Euston via Chester.  L. and N.W.  Rly. =Nearest Station.=—­Hawarden. =Distance from London.=—­186 miles. =Average Time.=—­Varies between 4 to 5 hours.

=Fares.=—­To Chester—­ 1st 2nd 3rd
                   Single 27s. 10d. 18s. 8d. 14s. 11d. 
                   Return 51s. 9d. 32s. 8d. 29s. 10d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­“Glynne Arms,” etc. =Alternative Route.=—­Train from Paddington via Wrexham.  Great
  Western Railway.

Hawarden is a small town, about 6-1/2 miles from Chester.  The great interest of the place centres in Hawarden Castle, the home, until his death, of the Rt.  Hon. W.E.  Gladstone.  There are really two castles, but little remains of the old one except the large circular keep and part of the banqueting-hall.  On the spot previously occupied by the old battlements a modern wall has been built, from which a fine view across the Dee estuary can be obtained.  The castle was probably built before the time of Edward I. Here Simon de Montfort surrendered the castle to Llewelyn.  After its reversion to the Crown it was again taken by Llewelyn’s brother, and it was about this time that the present keep was built.  After its dismantling during the Parliamentary War, it was purchased by Serjeant Glynne, in whose family it still remains.

Within full view of the old castle, and enclosed by the same park, stands the modern mansion, constructed in the style of a castellated Gothic building of the thirteenth century.  It was originally a square brick building, but it has had so many additions, besides being turreted and encased in stone, that it is almost impossible to trace the former structure.  The south-east front looks on a gravel walk surrounding some formal flower-beds, which was one of Mr. Gladstone’s favourite walks when he was unable to take other exercise.  Visitors are not admitted to the modern castle.

Euloe Castle, some two or three miles from Hawarden, is said to be connected with the few remains of the old chapel by means of an underground passage.  It is a picturesque, ivy-mantled ruin, but little is known of its history.