This morning we enjoyed a lovely breakfast with two couples whom we met while staying in Lincoln. Lots of lively conversation! Then, we packed our bags in the car and headed towards Derbyshire for today's adventures.
After about an hour and a half, we reached the National Trust Site of Calke Abbey. We drove up the mile long driveway, past grazing sheep
and the house finally came into view.
There were a lot of interesting facets to this house. But what was most eye opening was the interior condition. When the trust took control of the house in 1987, they made the decision to NOT bring the rooms back to their past glory, but to leave the house as it was handed to them....somewhat in disarray.
We walked into the "newer" entrance, which was a small, rather scary room if you ask me, adorned with various animal heads around the top. I'll spare you from seeing them all and feature just a couple.
The cabinet was delicately carved with two gentle looking women.
Quite the contrast, don't you think?
Around the corner, there was a caricature room. Apparently this was quite common in the last 17/early 18 hundreds. We've walked through a lot of houses, and this is certainly a first for us!
They were extremely entertaining.
I'm sure that made for some interesting conversation.
From here we headed up the stairs to what would have been the main hall prior to renovations in the late 1800's. Much to my surprise, it was filled with large glass cases packed with birds....all sizes...all shapes...they were everywhere. It looked like the cases in a museum when you visit the taxidermy rooms. Apparently Calke Abbey's natural history collection is the largest owned by the National Trust, and I can certainly see why!
I couldn't handle looking at them, although I'm fairly certain Marty took a ton of photos. He was quite entertained. I focused on the more delicate items. I adored this painting of mother with her child. They were family members who had lived in this house.
The dining room was delicately decorated with these lovely motifs.
The table was set with fine china.
And I found these two high chairs to be delightful! We've never seen a high chair in any of these plush manor houses and I think that is because the children didn't joint the parents for dinner. This tells me that this particular family broke that rule and I found that quite appealing.
Back to the main hall and you can see a beautiful piano beneath the painting that I have already featured.
I took this photo simply because it was dated 1669. It is original to the house although I cannot tell you who it is.
There were scads of books stuck on walls in various rooms.
This particular room has 600 items in it! But that was how just about every room was laid out. Filled with countless objects that had been collected for centuries.
The house holds a state bed which was made for King George I in 1715. When the trust was going through items in the house, it discovered these original bed linens, over 250 years old, rolled up in the basement of the house. They were in perfect condition and now hang in a climate controlled box in order to maintain their condition.
Just down the hallway is the old schoolroom, which is in the back of the house. It actually is a room that is part of the original priory that would have existed from the 1200s.
There is a doll house and some toys. But note the condition of the wallpaper in the back. It is faded in spots, and falling down in others. The trust decided that it would make a better impact on the visitor if they could see, over time, how these houses lost their grandeur and glory in the early 1900's.
And, it certainly did leave an impression on me. I found it sad to look at peeling wallpaper, faded wood and room after room loaded with items just as they had found them in 1987, laying in random heaps.
It would have taken forever to catalog every item in that place. It would be a nightmare to clean up. No wonder the family decided to donate the house to the National Trust!
And yet, there were special treasures like this topaz and diamond brooch that was purchased in 1836 by Lady Whitaker. It was featured in a case in the same room as the state bed. Surely a treasured family heirloom.
After peering into room after room in disrepair, we decided that was enough, and we headed down the servants stairs in the back of the house.
That led to this tunnel that runs under the house. It was made entirely of brick and twisted and turned until it ended at the original brewery for the house. Apparently it was the pathway for servants to use so that they wouldn't be seen.
It popped out at this stable yard.
When the last owner inherited the estate in 1981, the tax debt resulted in interest charges of £1300 per day. He campaigned to save this family home and was eventually approved by the National Trust for preservation. They have decided to preserve the rooms as they were found, portraying a period in the 20th century when many country houses like this did not survive to tell the story.
From here we headed in the car and drove north to Kedelston Hall. As we drove up the entrance driveway, I had Marty stop so that I could capture a photo of the entire structure.
Sheep were grazing everywhere we looked.
And this is the view from opposite the front of the house.
We walked to the front of the house and were greeted by a volunteer on the ground floor. She urged us to start the house tour quickly as time was of the essence prior to closing.
It seemed to me that we had plenty of time but it would soon become obvious why she was pushing us along. We walked up these beautiful steps
rounded the corner, walking past this ornate door,
and found ourselves in a room that was a complete surprise. Roman columns around the entire perimeter.
Fine details on the ceiling.
Truly an 18th century show palace.
(If you look closely, you'll spy Marty and me in that mirror in the distance. )
We learned from a volunteer that this house was only used in the summer for entertaining. The family kept residence in London for most of the year.
The paintings featured family members as well as some famous works.
There were some extraordinary features like this fireplace screen,
this ornate ceiling
and ship models that have stood in this house since 1776.
The family tree was quite impressive and gave not only the genealogy but the heraldry of the family as well.
The chandelier in this room is brilliant!
and the furniture was not only ornate, but rather entertaining.
There was so much more to see, but I'm going to call it a day here with interior photos. Although I would like to share this painting of Lady Mary Curzon in her peacock dress. I only wish that I could have captured a better photo, except the lighting seems to mess with my phone.
It's gorgeous!
Time to head to the cafe for our cream tea which, once again, did not disappoint.
We walked around the back of the house for a shot.
And perused the flower gardens scattered on the property.
By now, it was time to get on the road, so we jumped in the car and Marty began the long ride down the drive to make our way out.
We weren't expecting a road block!
They soon let us pass and we made our way to our new B&B, The Family Tree Inn. It's located in Whatsandwell, which actually is a village but appears to be made up of this building and a train station.
We are here because the inn owns the fishing rights to the river that runs behind it. And, since Marty brought fishing gear with him, he's chomping at the bit to try it out.
But that's a story for another day.
Hope you enjoyed today's adventures!
Until tomorrow!
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