Clandon Park

We want to get as much use of possible out of our National Trust membership before the properties close for the winter, so this bank holiday we took a trip over to Clandon Park over in Guilford.

Hardwick Hall, gardens

As I said in my previous post- I went a bit photo crazy on my trip to Hardwick Hall. Here are my pictures from the gardens.

Red House (exterior)

The sun was shining this weekend, so we took a trip to a couple of National Trust properties. First up, Red House in Bexleyheath.  

Commissioned by William Morris, Red House is a significant example of Art and Crafts architecture. Completed in 1860 the unique design rejected the conventional both Victorian industrialism and Georgian symmetry.  

For more photos, see under the jump:-

Hylands House

The sunshine this weekend meant pretty much the entire population of Chelmsford was at Hylands House. The car park was absolutely mental.

Autumn walk at Audley End

A couple of weeks ago I visited Audley End, a grand 17th Century house just outside Saffron Walden. The weather was perfectly autumnal and the grounds were full of colour.

Originally a Benedictine monastery, Audley End was entirely rebuilt by Thomas Howard between 1605 and 1614. The house is currently undergoing large restoration work, with most of the facade hidden by scaffolding. The gardens are still worth a visit, as they offer views of unspoilt Essex countryside as well as formal and kitchen gardens.

Plus its fun to play in the leaves!
   

We were lucky that some of the flowers were still in bloom. 

  more autumnal pictures after the cut: 

Waddesdon Manor (gardens)

Waddesdon Manor 

Waddesdon Manor was built in 1877 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild as a place to host epic week long house parties and to showcase his immense collection of art.

We were really lucky when we visited this weekend as it was the perfect autumn day, fresh, crisp and sunny. The garden is still in bloom and the leaves are just beginning to turn.

 Ferdinand's sister, Alice, inherited Waddesdon on his death. She was a keen gardener and had a hand in designing the outside space. Alice was a bit of a battleaxe and had some very strict rules. She viewed her role as protector, and was passionate about preserving the manor and art collections for future generations to enjoy.

Rose garden at Waddesdon

Wrest Park

Home to the De Grey family for more than 700 years, Wrest Park is currently undergoing an intensive restoration plan by English Heritage. The project is expected to take 20 years and was started in August 2011, so most of the house is off limits, but the gardens are spectacular.

The French style château was built in 1830's by Thomas Earl de Grey a politician and first Lord of the Admiralty (not to be confused with Charles Earl of Grey of tea fame). The house remained in the family until 1917, when the 9th Baron Lucas, a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps was killed in action.  

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Waterlow Park

If you're looking for a good spot to read and enjoy the hot weather in London, a good option is Waterlow Park .

 It has plenty of green space, with meadows, nature reserves, a sensory garden and ponds. If you're feeling active there is an outdoor tennis court and if you're hungry, or fancy an ice cream there is a cafe within the Park.

Plus as an added bonus it is conveniently located near to Highgate Cemetery.  

Walmer Castle

On another English Heritage visit I went to Walmer Castle, former home of the Queen mother. Built originally by Henry VIII as part of England's coastal defences, the property later became the official residence for the  Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The current Queen's mother used to live here. 

Walmer isn't as grand as some of the places I've visited, it was clear that is was built to be a defensive structure rather than a home, the wall are really thick, and there are cannons on the battlements 

English Heritage are a bit stingy on where you can take photographs, but the interior wasn't too my taste anyway. Most of the walls were painted a rather garish blue. Also I don't think the Queen mum was much of a reader, there was no library, which is usually my favourite place to visit when I go on these trip. 

She was in to her gardens though, and Walmer did have some pretty outside space. Prince Charles apparently replanted the garden for his grandmother one year.