We woke up early, remembered to say 'White Rabbits' and to turn the calender over to a new month, made a flask of coffee and took with us a few Welsh cakes, made the day before ready for St David's Day, cheese rolls and fresh blueberries in a tub.
We set out to drive to the Shugborough Estate near Stafford so we could walk through the grounds across the arboretum and up the hill to Hadrian's Arch before returning to the car for our picnic.
I took a few photos along the way.
In the walled kitchen garden
everything was looking tidy
and ready for the new season
A lovely old garden seat that had seen better days but somehow fitted its surroundings perfectly.
The Head Gardener's House
The Farm House
The Mansion House which was closed the day we visited but we have been inside many times and it wouldn't have been appropriate to go in in walking boots.
We found what we thought was a picture frame but then realised it was a stage setting for a puppet show obviously still around from half term activities the week before.
We had to have a little play.
I always think that the Mansion House looks even more interesting from the back.
The daffodils were just opening along the arboretum walk. We could hear woodpeckers tapping in the trees.
The boathouse had been given a facelift - last time we saw it it was in quite a bad state.
You can now walk around the end of the lake or cross the blue bridge.
We made our way along the Ladywalk and back towards the farm yard but then diverted to walk up the hill to Hadrian's Arch.
We made it to the top of the hill, I must admit I was a little out of breath. The views were lovely.
Over the hill in a slightly misty valley was a herd of deer. They watched us warily but didn't run away.
Above a few more photos taken on our walk.
In the walled kitchen garden
That looks a fantastic walk and to see the deer must have been the icing on the cake. That stone cat looks like The Cheshire Cat. 😁
ReplyDeleteI have the same calendar. X
Thank you Shazza, we've had an Angela Harding calender for the last couple of years. I love her birds and animals - especially the hares. It is thought the cat is either the one that travelled around the world with Admiral Anson or one of a special breed that was kept at Shugborough:)
DeleteLovely photos.An armchair trip for me!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara, glad you enjoyed the visit:)
DeleteA beautiful place for a walk with so many interesting things to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes it was a lovely walk with great views and vistas:)
DeleteLovely photos.
ReplyDeleteAlso love your calendar, going by the buildings in the distance on the painting it could be Orfordness?
Thank you Sue, yes, the painting is entitled Hares at Orfordness. She also mentions a water deer in the background. I'd never heard of a water deer had to look them up:)
DeleteWhat a lovely walk.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean, glad you enjoyed the walk:)
DeleteThe Shugborough Estate Looks very restful and authentic! I love the funny tradition of "White Rabbits" for the first day of the month, and the coincidence of the white carrots in the garden is just lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes the estate is very beautiful with lots of things to see. I thought those white carrots and also beetroot were lovely, I assume the real ones are growing underneath. I wonder if they will add a white rabbit one day?:)
DeleteSome buildings are more interesting, from the back. :-) One of the old mansions which were built here, in this city..... The Front, is in the back. And it was done, on purpose. I forget the reason. (Much look that up!) Perhaps the owner, had some sort of a gripe with someone else in town..... ,-)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous walk! Gorgeous area!
Must look up "Hadrian's Arch".... That name "has a ring to it"! :-)
Thank you WoW, I wonder why the house in your city was built that way around? It would be interesting to find out. Over here a lot of older cottages especially in rural areas were built sideways on to the road, often you see the odd one or two amongst all the others which face the road which were built much later:)
DeleteDelightful place for a walk.
ReplyDeleteThank you John, it was lovely to get out in the fresh air for a while:)
DeleteWhat a super walk.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayne, it was lovely to be out and about enjoying the fresh air after a day or two indoors:)
DeleteWhat a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it is a lovely place to visit:)
DeleteWhat a great walk. The puppets are a fun find along with the crazy carrots and beetroot. Shugborough is such a large estate, I remember walking miles to get a cup of tea when we stopped en route somewhere. 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen, the 'pretend veg and the puppets were fun to find. The car park and entrance is quite a way from the main tea room which is up near the Mansion but the farmhouse is now owned by NT and there is a cafe there too (not as posh as the one up at the Mansion) but not so far from the car park:)
DeleteA lovely walk :) You've reminded me that I haven't turned over my calendar yet!
ReplyDeleteIt was, I would think that you have a lovely wildlife calender Louise:)
DeleteWhat a lovely walk and beautiful photos and I do love the picture on your calendar :) The reflection photos are super.
ReplyDeleteI've only been in the grounds of Shugborough Hall once - years ago when I helped out on a school trip there. I keep saying I must go now it has been taken over by the NT and your photos have certainly whetted my appetite.
Thank you, RR. I love my calendar we had one last year by the same artist Angela Harding. I love her hares especially. Shugborough has changed over the last couple of years before just the mansion and grounds were NT but now they own it all and it is much more open and accessible with just one payment or membership card, before you had to pay for the farm and also the museum which has now been moved into Stafford:)
DeleteI too remembered to say White Rabbit , what a lovely place and photos.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Thank you Amanda, I'm always pleased with myself when I remember to say White Rabbits:)
DeleteA lovely walk. The puppets made me smile, there's still a child in all of us!
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie, we just couldn't resist playing with the puppets:)
DeleteFascinating!
ReplyDeleteThank you William, it is an interesting place:)
DeleteAww, another lovely walk. I'm reading a book walled gardens at the moment & here are some photos of one from you. The blue bridge is gorgeous & your photo with the reflection is awesome. Thanks for sharing & maybe another to add to my list? Have a great week & take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan, the walled garden has been refurbished recently, I bet it will look wonderful in the summer when all the produce is growing, lots to see and do there. Hope you too have a lovely week:)
DeleteA nice walk, I wouldn't have been able to resist the puppets either!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam, we enjoyed having a play with the puppets:)
DeleteSuch a lovely walk Rosie. I like all the buildings and the surroundings. Great calendar too!x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Simone. I love all the buildings on the estate, all very different:)
Delete