Taking advantage of the lovely weather we went to visit the English Heritage Property Wrest Park today
This is the house - pretty impressive isn't it? This French style house was built between 1834 and 1839
This is the back.
Looking down the garden from the house towards the Pavilion.
A lot of work has been done on the house and the gardens since we were last here...almost three years ago. This is the colourful garden is the French Garden.
This is the Italian Garden, one of the three formal flower gardens. It was created by Earl de Grey for his wife Henrietta.
The conservatory attached the the house has certainly changed since we saw it last. You couldn't even go in it then as it was in a state of disrepair.
Now it is positively wonderful with a wide variety of plants to enjoy.
Various rooms have been opened up inside the house with displays featuring the various inhabitants and roles the house has had over the years.
Two rooms have been restored.
The magnificent library
The Countess's Sitting room.
Inside the Dairy there are various sculptures including a couple of the original lead sculptures.
Harlequin
Columbine
Neptune
The grounds are stunning and we enjoyed the scene reminiscent of the Willow Pattern created between 1758 and 1761 by Jemima, Marchioness de grey. This Chinese style garden was very popular in England at that time.
The Chinese Bridge
The Chinese Temple
Looking down the Serpentine Canal from the bridge
Looking up the Serpentine Canal, you can see the Chinese Temple nestled in the garden to the left.
Lovely to see some baby goslings.
The Pet Cemetery - a charming resting place of the de Grey's favourite family pets.
This is the Thomas Archer Pavilion that could be seen from the house. This Baroque style Pavilion was built in 1711!
Looking back towards the house.
Swans and their cygnets.
The Bowling green house.
A pied wagtail on the bowling lawn.
Strutting his stuff!
The orangery built in the 1830s at the same time as the house, used to house Earl de Grey's orange trees.
The bath house built as a rustic folly in 1770 is typical of the English landscape style of gardening introduced by the Marchioness de Grey, Jemima.
My lovely Mother in Law.
Percy also enjoyed his day out walking around the gardens.
Ya know that place was pretty much on our doorstep, but I can't recall if I've been there or not. I think I may have. Looks fabulous doesn't it :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour, it was fabulous. I rather fancy having a Folly in my garden, wonder if I could make a small one.
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