Wanderlust and Words

You need a car to get to most of the UK’s stately homes and gardens, so I feel doubly fortunate that two National Trust properties were within walking distance of where I was housesitting in Lapworth. Packwood House was originally a Tudor farmhouse. In the early 1900s, it was purchased by Baron Ash. Now Mr. Ash had made his fortune in the galvanized steel industry, but he longed to be considered a member of the nobility. He set about renovating Packwood House, salvaging furnishings and tapestries from stately homes across Europe. He particularly liked sundials so there are lots scattered around the property. Packwood House is particularly well known for its topiary garden. There is another large walled garden where Baron Ash invited the public to performances of Shakespeare. The alcoves in the garden wall used to hold wicker bee bowls, a form of beehive. This wall was heated to prevent the espaliered fruit trees from freezing in winter. The kitche...

I spent a happy few hours yesterday touring the house and gardens at Baddesley Clinton . The house was built in the early 1400s and is completely surrounded by a moat. The house was a home to the Ferrers family for over 500 years and, as the family was Roman Catholic, it sheltered many priests in its secret places (including the sewers). There is wonderful oak panelling throughout the house and intricately carved wooden overmantels. I particularly enjoyed learning about the women of Baddesley Clinton, an exhibit in honour of the centenary of Women’s Suffrage. The estate continues to grow vegetables in the original garden site and there is a pleasant walk around the lake and through the woods.