Post #9274
Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-loving, travel enthusiast! And today, I'm whisking you off to a little slice of chocolate heaven – Bournville! Yes, you heard right! 🍫🩰
You know me, I'm all about exploring hidden gems, especially if they involve a dose of history and charm. Bournville is nestled just outside Birmingham, and for those who haven't experienced its magic, prepare to be swept off your feet (pun intended!) This town is quite literally a sweet spot!
I love arriving in a new place, and I find the best way is definitely by train. That nostalgic clinking, the rhythmic rumble, and the anticipation of reaching your destination – it’s pure magic. I was lucky to score a window seat with the sun setting, and as we rolled through the countryside, the colours of the dying day were just breathtaking. 🌅
The train journey itself was a wonderful experience, not just for the scenery. The whole experience felt wonderfully old-fashioned in a lovely way, much like how I like to feel, and everything seemed to move a little bit slower, which is also something I rather enjoy. As I stepped onto the platform, it was almost as if time stood still - this quaint town just seemed to breathe history, even in its hustle and bustle. The train station felt straight out of a 1940s film, all polished wood, antique clocks, and gentle murmurs of conversations in the air. It reminded me of how a railway station used to feel, the epitome of stylishness, not some soulless, soulless building like some new railway stations feel like nowadays.
Of course, my mission in Bournville was simple: to celebrate ballet in this wonderful place! This little gem of a town was actually named after the Bournville cocoa and chocolate company and, let's be honest, I simply couldn't resist bringing a little pink-tutu magic to its streets. My outfit for this adventure was classic Emma - a white tutu, the fluffier the better of course, my bright pink ballet flats, a pale pink silk blouse (that I've had for years and still adore), and a light pink cardigan. It all added to a kind of graceful fairy tale look, which is what I aim for, and made for a spectacular, vibrant silhouette against the chocolate-coloured backdrop of Bournville's heritage buildings. And that was, let's be honest, before I got into a little trouble by the canals....
Once I had my camera snapping, I knew exactly where I needed to go first: the iconic Cadbury World. It's not just about chocolate, though I am rather partial to a slab of Cadbury Dairy Milk every now and again (it's a bit of a guilty pleasure!).
For me, it's about capturing the essence of this quirky, sweet-toothed town. And of course, no visit to Bournville would be complete without a visit to the Cadbury World factory, where they make the most scrumptious chocolates (which, again, is another guilty pleasure I do enjoy every now and then!). 🍫✨ After walking past the fascinating old steam-powered machinery, I found myself surrounded by giant chocolate-shaped models – what's a girl to do? Well, there is just one answer: take a picture with all the deliciousness of course! You might just spot my pink tutu peeking out in one of them!
The air was thick with the smell of cocoa beans roasting, it just smelt utterly divine, as though you’d just stumbled upon some hidden treasure, something so incredibly nostalgic, as well as deliciously luxurious and tempting! It was absolutely amazing. I knew this was a place for pure whimsical magic, a world I could get lost in for hours, so I definitely didn’t want to leave just yet… Of course, after an hour or two of my wanderings I decided that my tutu needed a new background!
So I hopped on one of the canal boats (it was gorgeous old thing with wicker chairs and white linen parasols!) and let the river take me away on a romantic journey through Bournville. I have to tell you, those Bournville canals are like a fairyland – you have crystal-clear water, little bridges covered in moss, trees weeping over the water, and everything covered in wildflowers. I’ve never seen anything like it - even in Derbyshire we don’t have a beautiful scene like this. As the boat went under an ancient bridge, it looked as if it could just disappear and leave the whole town floating.
And just like a little bit of magic, I couldn't help myself. I danced a little waltz, just to get my little heart pumping and get that much-needed blood rushing through my veins (and for those of you who follow my blog - my dance teacher might recognise the steps! She showed me them just last month and this whole trip has been so good that it simply HAD to be part of this particular blog). As I finished, my tutu just sparkled like a hundred little pink diamonds against the dark emerald green waters of the canals! The boat’s gentle rocking, the sunshine, and the air buzzing with little bumble bees – that's where I found my ultimate "Bournville Ballet" moment. It was just pure magic. It’s a shame I couldn't do it with more tutus, a full chorus of ballerina’s all twirling and kicking their feet at me. It’d certainly have been a unique image, but, maybe I'll have to get some tutu wearing friends down to the Bournville canals for my next visit…
The rest of my afternoon was a blissful blur – strolling through charming cafes with the best hot chocolate and cupcakes (yum!), browsing quirky antique shops filled with vintage treasures, and admiring the beautiful, brightly coloured, brightly coloured, houses. You see, I was like a little princess on an adventure in some charming fairyland, surrounded by flowers, animals, pretty colours and an amazing sky above! You just need to see it for yourself!
So, darling, don’t hesitate to join me on a trip to Bournville. Pack your prettiest pink tutu, and get ready to be charmed by this charming little corner of England, because it really is the chocolate heaven for a ballerina. The town truly lives up to its name: it is utterly enchanting and it’s definitely given me plenty of inspiration for my next dance classes! You’d be mad not to try and capture this little piece of magic yourself. Do let me know what you thought in the comments below!
Love, Emma x
