Our second home, Summerpool Cottage, was in Bramley Village, just four miles south of the city of Guildford. Our location was opposite the church and next to the Jolly Farmer Pub; the best directions we can get for finding a home...the church and the pub!
But before arriving we had stopped along our route and were greeted with this cute vignette at Hinton Amber, another National Trust property and garden. This one also included the estate's private chapel and cemetery.
The interior of the house was under renovation and this time almost all the furniture had been covered as the construction was taking place. We wandered in the rooms where docents explained the history of the home, but we really look forward to returning another time when everything has been reset.
The National Trust cares for hundreds of historic houses and gardens all over the country and we often see the conservation work at hand. Founded in 1895, the National Trust has been gifted or has purchased estates and often the entire collections of furniture and art work which is then preserved for the all to enjoy. How lucky we were to be able to visit several locations each week.
The most amazing piece is the beauty of these estates, so well manicured and cared for, often with the help of volunteers in so many capacities. This chapel on the property was beautiful both inside and out.
The gardens were just beginning to perk up as spring was upon us. Trust properties almost always have a cafe in one of the out buildings with delicious foods and drinks, as well as a gift shop.
But by late afternoon we had found our new home, Summerpool Cottage, and sweet little terrier, Lily. We would be caring for Lily and her home for the next seven days.
The home was built in the late 1600's. And, sure enough, right across the street was the parish church where we attended a lovely piano concert later in the week.
The yard was enclosed with a tall brick wall with garden shed at the back. Lily was so sweet and easy to care for, she just wanted to be around us and we took her along with us whenever we could.
Stepping inside the house was also stepping back in time with the original wood timbers, wood floors and doorways.
Anthea and Gerald were off the next morning to the south of France for the tennis tournament there. We were so excited that our English friends, Jean and Andrew came to visit from Whitstable and stay two nights with us. Not only did we have their company but also a full dinner prepared and transported by Jean!
I love this photo...it shows Lily under the tree that within a week would be fully leafed out. I have a second photo near the end of these pics.
We walked Lily every morning and evening along a walking path about a block away. And PK had to check out the English telephone booth that now often contains supplies for health emergencies.
With Jean's suggestion and a gorgeous warm day ahead of us, we visited the Royal Horitculture Society's garden at Wisley, in the English county of Surrey, just south of London. The estate and gardens were given to the society in 1903
The flowers were absolutely amazing and in full bloom already!!
The tropical glasshouse is in the distance surrounded by walking paths and acres of gardens.
The following day, Jean suggested we drive east together and visit two beautiful Trust properties as they made their way back home. Our first stop was at Emmett's Gardens to see the bluebells in full color.
Today Lily was able to join us.
Our second property was to visit Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill...incredible!!
Chartwell was the much-loved Churchill family home from 1922 until the end of his life. What I loved the most was walking through the rooms which remain much as they did when he lived there. Books, photos, and personal mementoes of the statesman, author, painter he was.
A painting by Churchill above a living room table.
And the kitchen...
From the house we walked out onto the expansive terraced gardens
on the lower part of the estate is his painting studio
Large gates at the entrance of the home
The gardens lead to a large woodland with walking trails but with so much to see on that first visit we didn't take those paths until a later visit.
We said goodbye to Jean and Andrew and we turned back west to Bramley as they turned east for home. A stop for an afternoon break in the long drive home at the cute Pheasant Pub was perfect for us and Lily.
It had been an absolutely perfect day together!
Not far from the house was the River Wey with a lovely walking path. So fun to see the colorful houseboats that cruise along the waterways on a weekend afternoon.
Even one that rents out as a hotel
So quiet and peaceful
Time for a late lunch at a pub right on the river, sooooo busy that Saturday. Lily was a bit worn out with the heat of the day too.
This lovely view from the deck at lunch
Back at the house...
CLANDON PARK, GUILDFORD, SURREY, UK
Visited Saturday, April 21, 2018
Built in the 1720's. refurbished during the 1960s but in April 2015 a fire broke out causing significant damage and leaving the house a shell.
When we visited the house, the rebuilding process had begun. Hard hats and all, we were able to enter through the front doors and have a unique view of the incredible structure.
The four-acre garden was still lovely and growing.
The grotto
The view as we looked back upon the amazing structure covered in protective tenting.
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2018
Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming, Surry.
This was our last day so we packed up our things and cleaned the house in the morning. We had the afternoon to walk around the beautiful Winkworth Arboretum, maintained by the National Trust for 60 years with 100 different species of rare shrubs and tress. Sitting outside for lunch we met a woman who'd lived in SLO for year. Always a fun experience.
On our way out of the parking lot we saw our favorite little English car, the Figaro.
From there we journeyed on to visit the Oakhurst Cottage just down the road. The cottage is simply furnished and timber-framed. This 16th century dwelling has been lived in continuously until the mid 1980s. The National Trust has restored it to show four hundred years of uninterrupted occupation.
And soon our week was over, time to head off to our next stop of fun...Overton, with cats.
The National Trust cares for hundreds of historic houses and gardens all over the country and we often see the conservation work at hand. Founded in 1895, the National Trust has been gifted or has purchased estates and often the entire collections of furniture and art work which is then preserved for the all to enjoy. How lucky we were to be able to visit several locations each week.
On our way out of the parking lot we saw our favorite little English car, the Figaro. 
No comments:
Post a Comment