Tredegar House, Newport

 

The original Tudor building was erected in  c1490 by the Morgan family, with the current house being completed in the 1670's, by Sir William Morgan. 

But before going indoor, we looked around what is left of the original 53,000 acre grounds, with a 280 year old sweet chestnut tree,

 this lake,

and a posh gate.

A walk through the walled formal garden, with a cedar tree and festive pines, 

to the splendor within,

also with a festive spin.

Backpackering 3 - Salisbury

Our last 'port of call' on this 3rd Backpackering experience.

A visit to the 18th century NT Mompesson House.  Well worth the time spent there. 

The NT acquired the house empty, furnishing it with Georgian period furniture from its national collection. 

American Queen  Anne furniture designs were based on earlier Georgian ones. I fance having a crack at making a miniature copy of this dumbwaiter. Let's see how.

Backpackering 2 - Chirk Castle

 

The 300 year old ornate gate is about 1-1/2  mile from the castle. 

Building first began in the 13th century and remained pretty much intact until the Civil War in the 17th.

First a look around the beautiful gardens.

As they looked in the 1920s.

Beautiful. 

Gek asked me to pose like Sir Stamford.

Backpackering 1 - Erddig House

 A 3 mile walk in the rain to the House with our full packs on our backs. Our baptism of fire, but

we made it there, no problemo.

The 1 mile walk out back to the bus stop  through the park was just as wet.

Completing Wilson's 1939 Trip Revist

The last bit to cover is from Craven Arms to Bridgenorth, where granddad caught a train back to Bolton.  A stop on the way to Oreton at Berrington Hall for lunch. 

A beautiful interior,

and views back towards Wales.

Avebury

First a visit to the manor house and gardens.

The house was empty and abandoned for 20 years until the BBC used it for a TV series, using each room to illustrate a different period from Tudor times.  

Here to demonstrate the 18th century's love of things Chinese.  Subsequently, the National Trust took over the the property, keeping the BBC's props.

Then out to the stone circle,

to find the biggest stone for a photo opportunity.

Lacock

OK, a visit with nothing to do with you know who,

but to visit an abbey founded by the most powerful woman in the Middle Ages, Ela, on the 16th of April 1232. 

Her original cloister was demolished in the 1400's and replaced with what you see today.

The village is very cute, 

and after a stroll around we availed ourselves of a lunch at The Red Lion. 

Court Gardens

Well, no need to ask what this image reminds you of.

Whilst the house is not open for visitors, the garden is lovely to visit even in early spring.

Carding Mill Valley

From Stokesay we drive to the valley to take an amble up the hill followed by an afternoon cream tea. Great way to end an amazing day.

Brockhampton Manor

A moated Manor house completed around 1425,

Chapel in it's grounds.

Walking round the house 

To visit the orchard  of apples  pears and damson trees,

before taking a look around the dwelling.

Croft Castle

 

Through the wall, 

To the castle, owned by the Croft family for most of its 1,000 year history.

On hill behind, there is the remains of an iron age fort with a 360 view covering the Malvern Hills to the east, Herefordshire to the south,  Shropshire to the north and

Wales to the west.

We did find this rather unique, oversized bonzi on the way back down the hill🤣.

Dyffryn Gardens

To view the autumnal colours,

colour match.........close

And the house.