Tag: National Trust

Saltram House

September 5th, 2016
If you’ve ever seen Emma Thompson’s version of Sense and Sensibility, you might recognise Saltram House. This beautiful home served as Norland Park, home of the Dashwood family. It also has a personal connection to Jane Austen in that the famous author was friends with Frances, who was the Countess of Morely. Not only is it reported that Jane Austen gave Frances one of the first editions of Emma, but also it has been speculated that her husband, the Earl of Morely, was the model for Mr. Darcy. Whether such speculation is true is, of course, information Jane took to her grave, but still fun trivia!

Saltram House is thought to have been built during the reign of George II when the pre-existing Tudor home was integrated into a new Palladian style. The home changed hands several times until it was purchased by the Parker family in 1712.

Now, if you’re an art lover, you must see Saltram. One could say that about quite a number of homes, but the Parker family were friends with Sir Joshua Reynolds, so at least one portrait by the famous painter can be found in almost every room. I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled to find a few histories by Angelica Kauffman along the famous stairwell that features into one of the best scenes in Sense and Sensibility (in my opinion anyway 🙂 ). I’ve seen a few portraits by Kauffman, but loved seeing these history paintings since women so seldom painted them during that time period.

The house is lovely on the inside and I thoroughly enjoyed the interior. Websites and rumours abound online that the home is haunted, though, much to the disappointment of my daughters, no ghosts were seen, and the staff claimed to know nothing of the reported ghosts.

The grounds are beautiful and just like every National Trust property, there are trails you can wander for days. If you enjoy taking your dog, then you must stick to the outer trails as dogs are not allowed within the main portion of the park.
The outer trails are definitely not boring. There is a nice long walk that wraps around the property and runs alongside an estuary as the house is not far from the coastline.

Just make sure your camera works when you go through this pretty house. My settings were not right, and I had to walk back through and take new shots of what I missed–not that I minded one bit 😉

Whether you are a Jane Austen fan or not, I think anyone can find something to appreciate at Saltram.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltram_House
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram#Overview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/outdoors/walks/saltram.shtml
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11569673/Jane-Austens-real-Mr-Darcy-unmasked-by-historian.html
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Lacock

August 8th, 2016
So, my friends and my children have had quite the giggle over this one, but don’t look at it and pronounce it as you might a French word. It isn’t La cock, it’s Lay-cuck. Sorry for the weird description, but that’s the best way I can think to show it.

We drove from north of London to Devon and decided to make a mid-way of sorts stop in Lacock to walk around and maybe have a bite to eat. Things didn’t work out quite as we planned.

First off, we traveled with our dog, who isn’t one to misbehave, but did make things a bit tricky at times. The satnav/GPS, did get us to Lacock and the parking was well-marked. We’re National Trust members, so we didn’t have to pay for parking, which is always a plus. There was also a nice large car park, so we had room to walk the dog while everyone worked their way out of the car.

Movie set anyone?

Downtown Lacock

Lacock

Homes in Lacock

The walk from the car park to Lacock is not far and you enter on the side of the Lacock Abbey. We fully intended to go to the abbey, which is a National Trust property, but we were informed upon our trying to enter, that our dog was not allowed at that time of year. That was a first for us. National Trust properties typically will allow dogs on the outer walks, so we usually trade-off adults. One walks the dog while the other sees the house and then the other walks the dog, and so on and so forth–something we couldn’t do this time around.

As an alternative, we decided to walk around the town. For those who aren’t familiar with Lacock, it is mentioned in the Domesday book and is one of the oldest villages in England. It has retained much of its old-world charm and as a result, has been used in multiple movies. From the 1995 Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter, it is the perfect set for a movie no matter whether you want it set in the 18th century or the 21st century. In fact, there was a movie filming when we were in Lacock that day.

The Potter’s House in Godric’s Hollow

We walked down and attempted to see the older road through Lacock, but crews were filming, so our access was very limited. We walked around and looked from the end of the road, and then walked back. A very nice gentleman, who was part of the security crew, told us where James and Lily Potter’s house was from Godric’s Hollow, so we tried to get around the film crew to see it. Fortunately, we had success and took several photos.

My children and I then checked in at the abbey to walk around it. The grounds are lovely and there are gardens and walks we didn’t have time to see, but my children thoroughly enjoyed the ground floor of the abbey. There were pictures from Harry Potter and they could see which rooms were used in the film by the picture.

Banner for Harry Potter

Hogwarts Courtyard?

Exterior

Upon the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VII, Lacock Abbey was sold to William Sherrington and was later bequeathed to the Talbot family, who were relations by marriage. As a result, the abbey was a home, and that part is still preserved by the National Trust as well. We toured the inside which included a costume exhibit, and then made our way back to the car park in order to continue our drive to Devon.

I want to go back to Lacock and see what I missed when no film crews are there!

Next up… Lyme Regis!
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Wimpole Estate

June 13th, 2016
Wimpole Hall

Before you ask, yes, I’ve been to Wimpole before, but other than a below stairs guided tour, the house was closed. I was there mostly for the Christmas fair. I did see enough peeking up the stairs for me to want to go back, and I finally did.

For those unfamiliar with this National Trust property, Wimpole is in Cambridgeshire just a bit southwest of Cambridge. Wimpole was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1088, but at the time, this house was not the one sitting upon the property. The current home was completed in 1650 by politician Thomas Chicheley. The house has passed through quite a few owners that time until 1938, when it was purchased by Captain George Bambridge and his wife Elsie (daughter of Rudyard Kipling). She did what she could to fix up and keep the property going, which unfortunately included tearing down wings on the side of the house after they were used as barracks during World War II due to disrepair. When she died in 1976, the property was left to the National Trust.

Yellow Parlour

Library

Ceiling

The inside of the house is definitely worth the walk-through. Aside from a few pieces of lovely art, there are some interesting furnishings, including a Turkish style bed, and amazing ceilings and woodwork. The library has an amazing collection of books, not that I took the time to read every spine. The main room of the library is roped off so you can’t even go inside. I have to say the craziest thing was the bathtub! The entire family could take a bath in it. Fortunately, there is plumbing in place to bring water to the tub and heat it without people carrying buckets. They also had an old-fashioned shower.

Bathtub

Shower

A quick walk from the house will take you to the Home Farm where you can practice milking a cow on a fake udder, see live pigs, draught horses, goats, and chickens. I will warn you that like any livestock farm, there is an odour as you approach, but the piglets were quite cute.

Piglets!

The grounds are spread out and lovely. They have some beautiful old trees along the drive in and one the property. During World War II, bombers were even hidden under some of these trees so the Germans wouldn’t find them. The are walks are relaxing and pretty and there is even a folly fashioned to look like the ruins of a gothic tower. I wish we’d gotten to walk out there, but when you travel with children, sometimes they don’t feel up to more walking. We did enjoy the walled garden and the walk back to the house and the stable block where you enter the property.

Walled Garden

Gothic Tower in the distance

Next up…Jane Austen Regency Week 2016!
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Bath – March 2016 Part 2

May 23rd, 2016
When you cross the river, leaving Bath, and walk uphill for a little over a mile, you find Prior Park Landscape Garden, which is a National Trust Property. This 28 acre piece of property boasts six miles of walking trails with amazing views of Bath in the distance as well as one of four surviving Palladian bridges.

Prior Park has its beginnings with entrepreneur Ralph Allen, who purchased the property and had it landscaped to compliment his home, which was of Palladian architecture and designed by John Wood the Elder. The house still exists, but was sold to the Catholic church in 1828. The house is now Prior Park College, though the students have sweeping views of the park on a daily basis–lucky ducks!

Prior Park’s trails vary and have several follies, the remains of Prior Park’s ice house, which they are still excavating, the restored Serpentine, and a small waterfall or two.

Palladian Bridge

View from the main entrance

Despite our long uphill trek to Prior Park, I would say it was worth the walk. We brought a picnic and sat on benches (the ground was still wet from a recent rain) just below the school, looking over the Palladian bridge and Bath in the distance. It was a wonderful lunchtime view! If you do decide to take in Prior Park and walk like we did, the exit at the bottom of the hill is supposed to now be opened for entry to the Park as well (At least, that is what we were told on our visit. We missed the change by a few days.), so do check the National Trust’s website for directions there. My only warning is it is a small road, so you have to watch for cars as there is no pavement/sidewalk. While the original and main exit is a big uphill, it does have a pavement. There was also no parking at the entrance, so if you drive, check the website for the closest parking.

After our foray to Prior Park, we walked back up Lansdowne to Hedgemead Park where my children, despite their constant complaining on the walk back that their feet hurt, wanted to play. Hedgemead is a lovely park for a stroll and has a good playground. After the kids had their fill, we walked around and I happened upon St. Swithin’s Church, which you can find at the end of the Paragon in the Walcot section of Bath.

For those who are unfamiliar with St. Swithin’s, it was the parish where Jane Austen’s parents were married (Though it was a smaller church that stood before this one. It was demolished and replaced due to the growing population in Bath at the time.) and is also the church where Jane Austen’s father, the Rev. George Austen is buried.

I didn’t go into the churchyard to find his grave, but did get a picture from Hedgemead park.

My last fun bit was to walk just up from where we stayed at the end of Camden Place to actually look at Camden Place and take photos of the building. It’s a tricky building to get a good photo of, due to its length and the busy road in front. I tried a panorama at one point when a car came barreling around the corner, creating a strange blip in the panorama. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the building where Sir Walter Eliot lived in Persuasion. 🙂

Next up – Cambridge – Sedgwick Museum and Fitzwilliam Museum
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Hiking from Ilam Park through Dovedale

August 27th, 2015
One can see a lot of beautiful scenery simply driving through Peak District National Park, but when you get the chance the ability to hike it is tiring but amazing. The National Trust site said the hike through Dovedale was easy, but once you pass Thorpe’s Cloud, the walk can be a bit more challenging. Climbing Thorpe’s Cloud is definitely difficult and I didn’t even go all the way up!

Ilam Park

The National Trust maintains Ilam Park, a 158 acre estate dating back to the 16th century. The grounds are still maintained around the house as part of the buildings contain National Trust guide offices. The house itself is leased to a youth hostel and did not appear to be open to the public.

The walk begins at the front of the estate and passes the church, through the town to a field across from the River Manifold.

Through the field

Along the trail

River Dove

After passing through several fields by gates and climbing stiles, you reach a car park near the River Dove where there is a small National Trust booth selling guide books and souvenirs.

From there, the walk proceeds down the River Dove which separates Derbyshire from Staffordshire until you reach the “Stepping Stones.” The stones have been reconstructed, but can be crossed to reach the opposite side of the river, depending upon whether you crossed the river by the bridge near the car park.

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones

Peaks from partway up Thorpe’s Cloud

At the Stepping Stones, Thorpe’s Cloud can be climbed and crossed to reach the town of Thorpe on the opposite side. I admit to climbing a portion where I stopped and let my husband take my children to the top. It can be rather steep and I wanted to walk more of the path which stretches to Milldale.

Tissington Spires

Tissington Spires from a different angle

Once you pass Thorpe’s Cloud, the walk becomes a trail of natural sites, which you can trace in the guide-book, should you purchase one or a map printed from online. We passed Dovedale Castle, Lover’s Leap, Tissington Spires, and followed the path to Reynaud’s cave where we turned back.

I have seen maps online which suggest there is a path which circles back when you reach Milldale, but we were at Lover’s Leap when my children and mother-in-law were worn out. My husband and I were the ones who pushed further forward. Maybe next time we’ll finish the entire trail!

For those who enjoy hiking with your dogs, the trail is a common destination for people and their dogs. It was a great time watching those who enjoyed playing in the water. I have to say that the water was some of the clearest I’ve ever seen for a river. My children said that it was freezing when they waded in it! I’ve posted a map with this post to get an idea of the entire trail and the part we walked. I definitely recommend the experience. The scenery is breathtaking!

Next up…Nine Ladies Stone Circle
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Lavenham

February 24th, 2015

Have you ever heard of Lavenham? If you’re not from the UK, you might not. I hadn’t until I was searching through the National Trust guidebook for places to take the family. Even then, a guildhall did not really interest me as I thought it might, so I continued to pass it over for other attractions until the Trust sent out an email chronicling places of interest from movies. So, what was so special about Lavenham? Well, the Guildhall is the basis for the Potter’s house in Godric’s Hollow.

Lavenham Guildhall

The Potter’s House set (Harry Potter Studio Tour)

Yes, my family and I are huge Harry Potter fans, and once I found that tidbit out the Lavenham Guildhall was on the to see list.

For those who like me were unfamiliar with Lavenham, it was one of the wealthiest medieval villages in England with the Guildhall of Corpus Christi at its’ hub. The Guildhall was once believe to be several homes that were combined to form a centre for the Wool guild and eventually a meeting place for the town; however, because the foundation of the guild was based on religion, it was disbanded with the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII and was later used as a prison and a workhouse.

Today many of the half-timbered homes in Lavenham remain crooked and leaning in some places into the streets. We walked around the town a bit just for the feel and enjoying the decent winter weather on the day we visited. The town is truly picturesque with the gently rolling hills that surround the quaint town. If it had not been for the cars and the modern clothes everyone wore, one could almost feel as though they stepped back in time.

We initially missed a turn to the Guildhall when we entered town, noticing the amazing church just along Lavenham’s edge, which we walked to once we had taken our time through the Guildhall and walking down a few of the small roads surrounding the town centre.

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church was once probably a wooden church before it was built in stone in the 14th century. Like many of the cathedrals in England, it has been added to over the years, but none of the additions have detracted from the grandeur of this site. I think it reflects well the prosperity this community once had as it is such a grand church in a small village.

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church

Interior

The exterior and interior of this building are just lovely and I found I enjoyed touring it as much as the Guildhall. The exterior has a great deal of Gothic detail to the architecture and I always enjoy the tall ceilings in the chapels. The columns and the different ceilings are all so interesting. Some have similar elements, but they are each unique in their own way.

Lavenham may not appear a great destination at first glimpse, but it is definitely worth an afternoon to walk around. I think I would enjoy returning in the late spring or early summer when everything is in bloom and it would be pleasant to take tea out of doors at one of the tea shops in town.

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