After having workmen in the house, well conservatory, every day this week we thought it would be nice to have a few hours away from home. We decided to visit Shugborough Hall as we hadn't been there since last year.
Shugborough Hall is a National Trust property just a few miles south of us and close to the county town of Stafford. It was the family home of the Anson family from about 1624. Here is a -link- to more information about how the house and estate developed. More recently it was the home of Patrick Anson, the 5th Earl of Lichfield and noted fashion photographer, a first cousin once removed of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
We walked from the car park and reception area via the walled garden. After refreshments we walked around the gardens and down to the Essex Bridge and then went into the servant's quarters, we didn't go into the mansion or the farm yard this time as we caught the little bus back to the car park.
I'll let the photos do the talking now.
We went to Shugborough about three weeks and I thought the planting in the walled garden was wonderful. It has inspired me to revamp part of our garden - although husband says he won't be building any walls!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean, glad you left a comment. The walled garden was fabulous, wasn't it? So much colour and like you I loved the planting, I do love a walled garden especially at this time of year:)
DeleteWe used to go to Shugborough a lot when we lived in Penkridge, bit far away now. My Mum also worked there in the early 1970's as a tour guide. It always felt like a comfortable house that was loved. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Gill, yes it would be close enough for you to visit often. How lovely that your Mum used to work there. When we first came over here (mid 90s) there was the Staffordshire Museum there too which has now moved into Stafford. It is is a lovely house, I remember seeing Lord Lichfield there on the Lady Walk, he said good morning to us:)
DeleteIs there anything as pleasant as a visit to a beautiful garden? This one looks like it is still thriving even this late in the season.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh that copper!
Thank you Granny Sue, the walled gardens and cut flower beds were so beautiful and colourful. There were quite a few shelves of the copper items shinning in the light from the kitchen windows:)
DeleteA lovely day for your visit, and those gardens are incredibly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBut, like Granny Sue mentioned, those copper pots!!! 😍
Thank you Jules, the flowers and other produce in the walled garden lseemed very well looked after, the flowers were gorgeous, the copper pots were shining and well cared for too:)
DeleteWhat a lovely day you had for your visit to Shugborough. Is there a really long walk to the house? I might be mixing it up with somewhere else, either way it looks a great place for a day out with lots of interesting things to see like that bridge and those sparkly copper pans. 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK. When we first started visiting Shugborough the car park was to the left of where you can see on the photo with the shuttle bus. It was quite small but not too far from the Mansion House. Now there is a huge car park and reception area a lot further away from the house the other side of the walled garden and you can either bus down or walk the paths by the farm house and fields where the livestock are kept to get there. We could have walked back to the car park but thought we would like a ride on the bus:)
DeleteThe walled garden and grounds look wonderful Rosie. Lovely photos. I've only ever visited once with my daughter to help supervise a school trip but that was years ago. I'd love to visit again but it is quite a way from us sadly.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline, the walled garden was absolutely gorgeous, also the reflections and dragonflies down by the river, it was a lovely break away from the dust and noise:)
DeleteThe most darling place to visit, Rosie! I know that we share a taste for mysteries and wanted to mention A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith. It is a gem.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you Amalia, I've just looked the book up, it looks interesting, thank you for the recommendation:)
DeleteWhat a beautiful garden and manor house. Thank you so much for your wonderful photos. It's a joy to see.
ReplyDeleteWe will be back in England next year and I am really looking forward to it.
Hugs to you.
Thank you Viola, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. I'm also glad you are returning here to visit more gardens:)
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