A Visit to Sandon Hall

Yesterday we visited Sandon Hall which is just a few miles south-east of the canal town of Stone.  

It was slightly foggy as we made our way there with just a glimmer of sun waiting to appear later in the day. 

It was cold too so extra layers were needed for a walk around the grounds.

Sandon Hall is a  Grade II listed 19th century country mansion set in 400 acres of parkland.

It has been home to the Harrowby family since the 1850s.  The house was rebuilt from 1850 to 1854 after it was devastated by fire.

As we headed towards the main entrance we were met by a little tabby cat who walked ahead of us to the doors.

It was very friendly and I was able to tickle under its chin and stroke its head.  Inside it was warm and noisy, a choir was singing carols around a piano near the staircase and stall holders were discussing their wares with visitors.

We decided to head to the Orangery first for a warming mug of coffee before having a good look around the stalls inside.  There were lots of lovely festive crafts but I didn't take any photos as it was too busy.

The Orangery was fairly empty when we arrived and we were able to find a table inside rather than outside in the marquee.

Delicious coffee and one piece of fruit cake to share.

Not long after we were settled people started to arrive for elevenses.

Everything was looking quite festive.

The staircase

The Orangery from the outside

We were looking forward to a walk around the grounds. 

You can see from the photos above and below how frosty it was.

Halfway round the garden the little cat joined us again.

 It wanted a fuss and left behind muddy paw prints

before its attention became focused on something moving at the bottom of the wall, a little mouse perhaps?

There was an elf trail for the children

and we could hear yells of delight as the elves were spotted and cards stamped.  We encountered about five of them as we walked around.

It was a lovely visit and felt very seasonal and festive.  Today is the first day of December and I think it may be a stay at home and make the Christmas cake day.  What are your plans for today?

Field Walking

Today we ventured out for a short walk to blow away the cobwebs of Christmas and to breath in some fresh country air. The fields reminded me of the first two lines of one of my favourite Christmas carols*

In the Bleak Mid-Winter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

I know the next line is: Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow and that this morning it was just a very heavy frost, but it was cold, it was clear and it was incredibly invigorating. It was also very quiet and peaceful just the kind of simple and contemplative day we needed after this week's festivities.

*In the Bleak Mid Winter - words by Christina Rosetti, 1872 music by Gustav Holst, 1906.

Mist Over Mow Cop

As we left the A34 and drove up the steep incline towards the village of Mow Cop the mist deepened, the air was chill and the trees and hedges glistened white on the roadside and in front gardens. It was magical. We approached the 'castle' and entered the car park, just us and a couple of other hardy souls who were already parked and clambering to the top of the imposing mound.

The ruin was shrouded in mist and the whole vista was so atmospheric. We made our way slowly and gingerly over the frozen grass and eventually reached the top. It was on this hilltop in 1588 that a beacon was erected to give warning of possible invasion by the Spanish Armada, linking lights around the country, between the Wrekin in Shropshire and Alderley Edge in Cheshire.

The ruins, now managed by the National Trust, were once a folly or summer house built by Randle Wilbraham of nearby Rode Hall. He had the mock-gothic castle built in 1754 to enhance the eastern view from his grand house at Scholar Green. From this vantage point on a clear day you can see for miles in all directions to the Berwyn Mountains in Wales, the Shropshire hills and the Peaks of Derbyshire. You can also see quite clearly the huge round saucer of Sir Bernard Lovell's Joddrell Bank.

Yesterday, though, all we could see were the sparkling white trees in the valley and the distant tower of the church; also the unusual garden wall structure of one of the houses under the hill. This is certainly a magical and mystical place. It was here on the 31st May 1807 that Hugh Bourne of Stoke and his friend William Clownes of Burslem ventured, with many like minded people wishing to return to a simpler ways of worship, to form the Primitive Methodist movement. This was to be the first of many mass gatherings on the hill.

At the base of the mound is a stone which commemorates this event. The inscription is as follows:-

"To the Glory of God. A camp meeting near this spot on May 31st 1807, began the religious revival led by Hugh Bourne and William Clowes known as Primitive Methodism. Unveiled by the President of the Methodist Conference May 16th 1948"

As we descended the hill the air had become really cold and dank; people were hurrying back to the car park and the warmth of their cars. It was time to head for home.