Friday, May 01, 2009

A Favourite View

I think this is one of my favourite views on one of my favourite walks. Holy Cross church at Ilam nestles in the Ilam estate grounds surrounded by the most beautiful countryside. An added bonus is that as I stand and take this photo just behind me are the delights of a National Trust cafe and shop.


We set off along the path passing the grotto on the way. It is said that here was the place that dramatist William Congreve sat and wrote his play 'The Old Bachelor.' He visited Ilam Hall with his friends Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell.



Taking care down the steps as we go down towards the path.


Passing fields of dandelions, banks of wild garlic, pink campions and bluebells.



Grazing sheep with their lambs



Across the meadow, over the river and up through the woods; as we walk the church bells are ringing, calling people to the Sunday morning service. The birds are singing and moorhen chicks squeak to their mother on the edge of the water.



Back down towards the river and over the bridge


Which leads us back to Ilam Hall (now a Youth Hostel) which was used for the exterior of Lowood School in Jane Eyre televised by the BBC a couple of years ago.


Nice view? Yes, indeed and lovely walk too.

17 comments:

  1. This does look like a lovely walk and as you say the NT caffe and shop add to it:) We had a really interesting talk about Ilam at WI a couple of years ago, I thought then that I'd like to see it sometime.

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  2. Thank you for sharing such a lovely walk
    I have marked this for a visit should I ever be in the locale

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  3. I love the beautiful scenes you share. Give me a momentary relaxing vacation. :)

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  4. I really love all the stonework in British gardens. In Canada there is not nearly enough. That is a really lovely photograph of the church with the hills behind...it seems like a very relaxing place to be, soaking up the warm sun.

    Gillian

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  5. What a gorgeous walk.
    Worth staying in the armchair for !!
    Have a lovely weekend ;-)

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  6. Thank you Rosie, for taking me along on this wonderful photo journey. Otherwise I would have miss seeing this very special place which is a world away from mine. Have a nice weekend, be well, be happy... Pam

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  7. Rosie you write beautifully. You take us on lovely gentle walks too. I hope you have a lovely bank holiday weekend and manage to visit somewhere lovely.

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  8. We have been looking for a bank holiday Monday walk, I'll have to see how far away this is from me as Ive never been here. It looks lovely and you can't beat a National Trust Cafe.

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  9. What a wonderful walk! :) Thanks for sharing it with us, it was a pleasure to accompany you 'virtually'. :)

    Mara

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  10. Thanks Rosie for sharing your part of the world. I have enjoyed your links to other walks, each time finding another interesting place with something unique to offer. I particularly liked Ashbourne. I can see why it is one of your favourites.A walk in any of these places, finishing up with coffee and cake,and best of all a National Trust shop, would be just wonderful.

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  11. Thanks for the tour. I always enjoy my walks through your blog.

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  12. That was indeed a lovely walk.

    I am enjoying your playlist, some new and some old favourites, great to paint along to!

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  13. What a delightful place...and with the added bonus of a National Trust cafe.

    Marie x

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  14. Nice views indeed. What a perfect day to take such a lovely walk. x

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  15. I loved this walk. It bought back memories of when I was sweet sixteen and stayed for a weekend at the youth hostel with my best friend Denise. It had something to do with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme we were doing at the time although I can't remember what exactly we did when we were there.
    We visited the church and there was a bouquet hanging up over an arch. We were told the that it belonged to a bride who died when she walked under the arch on her wedding day. Denise and I dared each other to walk through the arch wondering if either of us would drop down dead. How innocent we were! I wonder if the bouquet is still there as it was very old and black 35 years ago.

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  16. This is so familiar! I used to bring my husband to the cafe here. We would sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy coffee accompanied by huge homemade scones, whilst looking at the view of Bunster Hill!

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