Cliveden House and Gardens

Cliveden House and Gardens is not far from us.

We went on a bright summers day with Liz and Adrian.

Jennifer was feeling well so we decide not to push to hard.

As we arrived, The Clock tolled and rung across the hotel courtyard

It is beautiful Clock tower with gold trimmings

The gardens were beautiful although most were spring plants 

The house is a Hotel not so going in is not possible.

The house was a splendorous place in it's heyday.

So were the gardens, due to the heat we decided to walk around the gardens under the trees.

 Where wonderful Poppies of Deep purples were present.

We walked to the Turtle Fountain, not a turtle in sight but a great place to sit and enjoy the view

The running water was cool but the fountain was once white

Now it has character

Then to explore the Rose Garden

This was mostly theme is the oranges as that what Lady Astor 

was into. 

There were of course  were statues

and fine fountains

But it was the beautiful day that produced rainbows that made special.

Shakespeare at the Globe

Shakespear at the Globe is a bucket list item

Of course, photo's allowed but I got this one at the interval.

A WINTER TALE. Wow, I'd love to do that again.

Hinton Ampner - A Garden with a House

Hinton Ampner  is a house in East Sussex that we decide to visit

to get out into the country side and check out a garden

Their was a beautiful productive garden that was in need of a lot of work.

But a church view while you work. dreams are made of this.

100 year old apple trees in the gardens.

The church was built in the 1700's

But the windows are obviously newer.

Their were formal gardens

Rose gardens 

But it was the productive gardens that got the attention of the tourists. 

We stopped for lunch at the usual National Trust Cafe

Jennifer got her usual scones and clotted cream, while I enjoyed a stew.

The walks were pleasant and enjoyable.

The house was a mixed house, it was a old Georgian house that the owner had modernized in the 1860's, then a fire in 1960 pull a whole new twist to it.

Once inside we found the house was actually small 

and the NT is restoring the upstairs.

The dining room was put on display.

The family drawing room had evolved.

But that some were set to old periods as well.

But for this place it was the Gardens that were the show place.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace

This has been on the visit list for a long time

But due to cost and going to other places, it took some time.

The Duke of Marlboroughs place

The largest privately own palace in the UK

Former birthplace of Winston Churchill 

And we were greeted by some very impressive gates

Once through the Admission and shops 

it was off it inside the house

(for an extra GPB5, we got a year round pass, so we'll be back)

The house was built in the 1700's

And of course is very impressive. The architect has a lot of money to spend, although the duchess at the time was spend thrift.  

The garden are another one of Brown great works

But what a view from the front door

The Eyes at the front are suppose to represent, the house is watch you. 

And it was.

In the main hall, this is a bust of the 3rd Duke.

there's been 14.

The halls were decorated in spendor 

But it was the finer stuff on display like the 10 thousand 

hand paint lead soldiers that have take generations to produce.

Or the find pieces of art works on display

But it was the Grand Hall that took the WOW factor.

The dukes Family still have Christmas int he hall each year.

WOW, what a place to have a Christmas Dinner.

Once into the smaller rooms, it was the great art works and the Furniture 

The ceilings all had the dukes crest on theme

The Drawing room was impressive as expected.

This is the first duke in his finest clothes, Notice the Garter and cloak.

Tapestries of the Battle made the Family Famous and rich were abounding. 

The Halls were will paint and the was this one.

The silver was impressive as well.

They even had the dispatch that announce the victory at Blenheim on display.

With of course the duchess and mother 

The library was long hall

Live a Large Statue of Queen Ann

The one that gave them all the money in the first place.

What grand house would not be complete without it's own Organ

Inside the Chapel was of course a large statue to commemorate the 1st and many dukes.

Once Outside. we started to explore the gardens

and impressive they were to

We stopped for lunch and enjoyed the view.

Capability Brown created small views along with the great and grand ones.

A Memorial to one of their greatest Sons 

This was the Birth Place of Winston Churchil

And the home regularly display notes about his life and childhood.

The bird life was extensive and young were everywhere

The gardens of brown, had quiet stops for the wildlife

Man made waterfalls

and Pleasure Lakes that are still in use today.

The house was impressive from whatever angle

But it was Brown Gardens that were impressive as well

The ponds were not small either

And of course the Famous Bridge of Browns is there.

Yes it is a flooded bridge, but that was Brown as his Finest.

Leaving we got to see the gates again.

We got escorted back tot he Car by one of the many pheasants on the property.

This is place we will be back to again.