This is one of the properties I visited on my weekend away in October. I know I promised gardens but I thought I would share pictures of the property itself first.
Ightham Mote is a wonderfully quaint manor house and has been standing for over 650 years. A visit there is like stepping back in time. The house has been altered many times over the years which isn’t really obvious from the outside but once you step inside it is a lesson in social history.
Over the years it has had around thirty different owners the last being Charles Henry Robinson (from Portland Maine, USA) who was a bachelor, so to preserve the house he donated it to the National Trust in 1985.
These pictures show the outside of the main building which is built round a courtyard.
Oh all right then, I couldn’t resist just a few flowers to whet your appetite, although I still haven’t decided whether to show you the inner courtyard or the grounds and gardens next.
wonderful place to spend this night, Fairy ))))))))))))
wishing you a magicallllllllllllllllllllllll 2010
and that your dreams come true !!!
lots of loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
lu
Wishing you a magical New Year too xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Yes, Happy New Year to you and don’t fall in the moat.
Happy New year James I hope it is a good one for you xx
PS: I see we were commenting at the same time again!!!
I’m going to wish you a happy New Year now Cherry Pie because I may not be in any fit state to put fingers to the keyboard by midnight. From past experience (on the odd occasion when I’ve celebrated with a few drinks) I just know I’ll type something that seems great at the time but not so great in the morning
Have a great New Years Eve … we’ll raise a glass to you and your readers at midnight.
Wishing you all the best for the New Year
You have some wonderful places to visit in your vicinity or not too far away.
Happy new year to you Cherie.
Lifting my glass to your good health. À la votre! The best in 2010.
The happiest of New Years to you, CP
Oh, Cherie – I’ve been looking forward so much to the pix of Ightham Mote! Lovely to see it, and you’ve ensured all the architectural detail is very clearly visible. Great! Thanks, Cherie – and a wonderful New Year to you.
You should have said I would have posted them earlier. I have a couple more post to come
Happy New Year Phidelm
PS Hope you get a chance to visit Lytes Carey; think you’d love it (and the gardens are pretty terrific, also!). Lots of other places to see nearby, too … Maybe in 2010! Together with other blessings.
I have not heard of Lytes Carey I need to look that one up!
That looks amazing. Happy New Year Cherie!
Happy New Year to you too
They were worth waiting for, Cherie, so thank you.
Lytes Carey is a mediaeval/tudor manor house with beautiful gardens in v peaceful setting in southern Somerset, + nearby are: Montacute House; mediaeval priest’s House @ Martock; Barrington Hall (famous among gardeners); Muchelney Abbey + Church (amazing painted 17th century ceiling) + a Leach pottery + yet another mediaeval priest’s house. There are several more places worth visiting in/around the area incl eel smokery (yum!). Area is where the surrounding hills meet the Levels:tranquil, stunning scenery and lots of history!
I still have a few more photos up my sleeve.
I haven’t been to any of those places, I can see a visit to Somerset coming on
Love that one with the reflection.
It was quite an amazing place.