Our original plan for today was to venture the short drive along the A35 to Bridport for the 'once a month' antique fair, and then find something else to do in the afternoon. However, we expected it to be very busy so we moved on to one of the other outings that we had on our list.
Forde Abbey looked like a good place to visit, and only around a 20 minute drive away; or so we thought. In the end it took us nearer 40 minutes because the vast majority of the roads were single country lanes where you have to hold your breath as you traverse every bend just in case there is another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Thankfully today not too many people were daft enough to be driving around this narrow lanes.
The drive though was worth it. Forde Abbey was originally a Cistercian Monastery dating back close to 1,000 years, but had been converted into a country house a few hundred years ago. And a family home as well, so as often is the case parts of the building are out of bounds to the likes of us. What was unique though was that in one part of the building the walls were decorated with photos of some of the areas that were for the use of the family only.
After spending a little time in the kitchen garden it started to spit with rain so we took shelter in the tea-room until 12 when the house itself opened. Unfortunately no photos were allowed in the house, but that didn't stop the enjoyment looking around it. A lovely building, maybe not the best we've been to but sill worth a good look around.
The gardens however were a different kettle of fish, they were stunning. Loads of little gardens of differing types spread around the grounds, interspersed with ponds, follies, numerous statues, and to top it off a beautiful fountain that was set off at set times throughout the afternoon. The fountain goes for 10-15 minutes and if you are unfortunate to be caught down wind of it, you can get a right soaking.
Overall a great place to visit, worth it for the gardens alone; if you're into that sort of thing of course.
As evening drew in we made the decision to pop on our boots and coats and head the 3/4 mile or so down to the coast at Seatown, where we sat outside at the Anchor Inn and had a few drinks. The sky was black and filled with stars, and you could hear the waves crashing in as we relaxed with our Thatchers Gold.
Forde Abbey looked like a good place to visit, and only around a 20 minute drive away; or so we thought. In the end it took us nearer 40 minutes because the vast majority of the roads were single country lanes where you have to hold your breath as you traverse every bend just in case there is another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Thankfully today not too many people were daft enough to be driving around this narrow lanes.
The drive though was worth it. Forde Abbey was originally a Cistercian Monastery dating back close to 1,000 years, but had been converted into a country house a few hundred years ago. And a family home as well, so as often is the case parts of the building are out of bounds to the likes of us. What was unique though was that in one part of the building the walls were decorated with photos of some of the areas that were for the use of the family only.
After spending a little time in the kitchen garden it started to spit with rain so we took shelter in the tea-room until 12 when the house itself opened. Unfortunately no photos were allowed in the house, but that didn't stop the enjoyment looking around it. A lovely building, maybe not the best we've been to but sill worth a good look around.
The gardens however were a different kettle of fish, they were stunning. Loads of little gardens of differing types spread around the grounds, interspersed with ponds, follies, numerous statues, and to top it off a beautiful fountain that was set off at set times throughout the afternoon. The fountain goes for 10-15 minutes and if you are unfortunate to be caught down wind of it, you can get a right soaking.
Overall a great place to visit, worth it for the gardens alone; if you're into that sort of thing of course.
As evening drew in we made the decision to pop on our boots and coats and head the 3/4 mile or so down to the coast at Seatown, where we sat outside at the Anchor Inn and had a few drinks. The sky was black and filled with stars, and you could hear the waves crashing in as we relaxed with our Thatchers Gold.
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