Michelham Priory House and Gardens in Upper Dicker East Sussex is situatated on a picturesque moated island.
Founded by Augustinian canons in 1229, the site is steeped in history. During Tudor times the site suffered destruction caused by the dissolution of the monasteries, and in World War Two it was home to evacuees and the Canadian Army.
There are fascinating displays of furniture and artefacts, set in rooms reflecting different periods of Michelham’s rich history. These include an historic kitchen and the World War Two evacuees’ bedroom. Children will enjoy the hands-on activities and outfits to try on.
Outdoors there are seven acres of beautiful grounds and buildings to explore including: a great barn; medieval gatehouse; and the kitchen, physic and medieval herb gardens.
Tags: East Sussex, Michelham Priory, There's Always One, Upper Dicker
From Wiki:
Lewes Castle is a medieval castle in the town of Lewes in East Sussex, England. Originally called Bray Castle, it occupies a commanding position guarding the gap in the South Downs cut by the River Ouse and occupied by the towns of Lewes and Cliffe. It stands on a man-made mount just to the north of the high street in Lewes, and is constructed from local limestone and flint blocks.
Tags: East Sussex, Lewes Castle, There's Always One, Vacation
My recent visit to the Royal Pavilion gardens reminded me of my previous visit many years ago. On that occasion I had intended to visit the Pavilion but there was a long queue so I opted for a quiet lunch in the gardens. I chose the perfect bench but what followed was anything but quiet and relaxing. On my recent visit I sought out the bench only to find it is no more.
What follows is the tale from my previous visit in 2010:
On the half day that I had free between the two conferences I decided to visit the Royal Pavilion. To save time I asked for directions at the hotel reception and found my way there quite easily although it was further than I thought. The pavilion looked rather packed so I decided just to enjoy the garden which was free. It was lunch time so before looking round the garden I nipped to the nearest baker and bought a blueberry muffin, which looked a lot more appetising than the rather gooey looking sandwiches. I then made my way back to the garden and sat on a bench to eat it The bag the muffin had been in made a bid for freedom and whilst I was trying to rescue it a small piece of blueberry muffin dropped on the floor next to my feet.
A few minutes later I was assailed by a rather large seagull who was weighing up the options of doing a duck and dive at the crumb. I had visions of my feet being skewered by his beak and he refused to be shooed away! Then I saw a squirrel running towards me, but luckily he had something else on his mind and he carried on past me without stopping. Eventually I moved to the other end of the bench so I could finish eating in peace. And yes the seagull did then dive for the crumb.
Just as I was finishing eating a youth with a beer can plonked himself next to me on the bench. Thankfully he was dragged away by his friends who told him ‘don’t annoy the lady’. There was a bit of back chat but he followed them anyway. Just when I thought I was going to get some peace and quiet at long last, I was approached by a Jehovah’s Witness…
Gardens in Brighton are not at all what I am used to!
It was more relaxing along the seafront (despite the traffic) when I took my sunset photos later in the day.
Tags: Brighton, Conference, East Sussex, PCS, Royal Pavilion, Royal Pavilion Garden, Vacation
Yin and Yang are not in competition or conflict to each other, but are complements of each other. Balance is not a state but a process. The Tao is a process, a dynamic condition of balance.
Ray Grigg
Tags: Birmingham, Cherie's Place Thought, Winterbourne House and Gardens
In the mid 1780s George, Prince of Wales, rented a small lodging house overlooking a fashionable promenade in Brighton. Brighton was developing from a decayed fishing town to an established seaside retreat for the rich and famous, being close to London.
It also proved popular for the therapeutic health-giving sea water remedies made famous by Dr Richard Russell, a physician from nearby Lewes.
The prince had been advised by his physicians to benefit from Brighton’s fortunate climate and to try out the sea water treatments, which included ‘dipping’ (total body immersion into the salt sea water).
Brighton suited George who was a vain and extravagant man with a passion for fashion, the arts, architecture and good living. He rebelled against his strict upbringing and threw himself into a life of drinking, womanising and gambling.
This decadent lifestyle combined with his love of architecture and the fine and decorative arts – his residences in London and Windsor were like immaculate sets to show off his superb collections – resulted in his incurring heavy personal debts.
In 1787, after much pleading and many promises by the Prince of Wales, the House of Commons agreed to clear his debts and increase his income.
George hired architect Henry Holland to transform his Brighton lodging house into a modest villa which became known as the Marine Pavilion. With his love of visual arts and fascination with the mythical orient, George set about lavishly furnishing and decorating his seaside home. He especially chose Chinese export furniture and objects, and hand-painted Chinese wallpapers.
In 1808 the new stable complex was completed with an impressive lead and glass-domed roof, providing stabling for 62 horses.
Tags: Brighton, Brighton Pavilion, Vacation
I found the GKN collection especially interesting due to my dealings with GKN and other related Defence industries during my working life.
Winterbourne has strong links with Guest, Keen & Nettlefold (GKN) through John Sutton Nettlefold, whose grandfather founded Nettlefolds in the 1820s. John himself worked for the family firm at the start of his career, and his brother continued as a Director following Nettlefolds’ merger with Guest & Keen in 1900.
Winterbourne has been collecting items relating to GKN for many years, and in 2019 we received a significant donation of archival material from GKN. This remarkable collection contains catalogues, minute books, photographs and much more.
One of GKN’s major subsidiaries was Joseph Sankey & Sons.
Tags: GKN, Guest, Joseph Sankey & Sons, Keen & Nettlefolds Ltd, Winterbourne House and Gardens
Winterbourne is a rare surviving example of an early 20th century suburban villa and garden. The house was built in 1903 for John and Margaret Nettlefold, of Guest, Keen & Nettlefold.
Nettlefold was a pioneer of town planning who carried the ideas seen in his own home to the less wealthy areas of the city.
Originally designed as a small country estate with rustic outbuildings and large gardens, Winterbourne followed the style of the Arts and Crafts movement with examples of local craftsmanship throughout the house.
Margaret Nettlefold designed the garden, inspired by the books and garden designs of Gertrude Jekyll. After a period of restoration, the garden was Grade II listed by English Heritage in 2008.
Tags: Arts & Crafts Movement, Birmingham, Gertrude Jekyll, Me by another, Portrait, There's Always One, William Morris, Winterbourne House and Gardens
