We had intended to go on a day out yesterday, however it was looking like a dull cloudy day so today was the better option. Ok, it would be much warmer today, and both of us don't really get on with warm weather, but the promise of a brighter outlook persuaded us to change our plans.
So, a trip down into deepest Derbyshire and to Haddon Hall. Well that was the plan until I remembered that all of our membership cards were in my car which was unexpectedly kept in the Ford dealership in Wakefield last week. Therefore new plans needed to be made, and I looked to see where we could go in a northerly direction. First choice was Nostell Priory, but that is closed today, so moving a little further north, Temple Newsam to the south-east of Leeds.
The trip northwards was clear (other than Google constantly trying to send us through a closed gate), and we arrived at the car-park around 11am. By the time we had walked over to the house we were both a tad hungry, well not too hungry but decided that it may be a better idea to visit the house and then find something to eat, than to head out to the walled gardens and risk dining a little too late. Donna asked at the house how long it normally takes to peruse what delights the house has to offer, and they said 45 minutes. Wrong, we were in there over 2hrs and we could have spent more time if we were't so peckish.
The house was stunning, full of history, beautiful decorations, stunning pieces of art and furniture, and a Chippendale theme running through the house. I have to say that it was one of the most amazing houses that we have visited. And the house itself is misleading, what you see has a 300 year or so history, but the site actually dates back to the Knights Templar around 1,000 years ago!
Next stop was the tea-room where after consideration we both chose the 'rare breeds burger', sounds great doesn't it? In fact, it was little more than a McDonalds size patty, served in a standard off the shelf breadcake - rather disappointing. What did make us laugh though was Donna asking what rare breed it was, and being told "one of the rare breeds on the estate"!, still no wiser.
Our next port of call was the walled gardens, which were ok, but nothing special. I know it's coming to the end of the season so flowers and plants have seen better times, but for us who like to take photos, many of the plants were at the back of the wide borders so you couldn't get near them. Ok that won't bother most people, but a tad disappointing for us.
By now it was after 3pm, and it was really warm and humid and to be honest it was getting a little too much for us, so after treating ourselves to a 'whippy' ice-cream, we headed back out to the M1 for the 50 mile journey back home. Overall, whilst the house itself was stunning, the overall experience wasn't the best. Mainly in my opinion because it is a council run public estate, and for us it just didn't have that special feel; it actually felt like a public park. But hey, still a good half a day out.
So, a trip down into deepest Derbyshire and to Haddon Hall. Well that was the plan until I remembered that all of our membership cards were in my car which was unexpectedly kept in the Ford dealership in Wakefield last week. Therefore new plans needed to be made, and I looked to see where we could go in a northerly direction. First choice was Nostell Priory, but that is closed today, so moving a little further north, Temple Newsam to the south-east of Leeds.
The trip northwards was clear (other than Google constantly trying to send us through a closed gate), and we arrived at the car-park around 11am. By the time we had walked over to the house we were both a tad hungry, well not too hungry but decided that it may be a better idea to visit the house and then find something to eat, than to head out to the walled gardens and risk dining a little too late. Donna asked at the house how long it normally takes to peruse what delights the house has to offer, and they said 45 minutes. Wrong, we were in there over 2hrs and we could have spent more time if we were't so peckish.
The house was stunning, full of history, beautiful decorations, stunning pieces of art and furniture, and a Chippendale theme running through the house. I have to say that it was one of the most amazing houses that we have visited. And the house itself is misleading, what you see has a 300 year or so history, but the site actually dates back to the Knights Templar around 1,000 years ago!
Next stop was the tea-room where after consideration we both chose the 'rare breeds burger', sounds great doesn't it? In fact, it was little more than a McDonalds size patty, served in a standard off the shelf breadcake - rather disappointing. What did make us laugh though was Donna asking what rare breed it was, and being told "one of the rare breeds on the estate"!, still no wiser.
Our next port of call was the walled gardens, which were ok, but nothing special. I know it's coming to the end of the season so flowers and plants have seen better times, but for us who like to take photos, many of the plants were at the back of the wide borders so you couldn't get near them. Ok that won't bother most people, but a tad disappointing for us.
By now it was after 3pm, and it was really warm and humid and to be honest it was getting a little too much for us, so after treating ourselves to a 'whippy' ice-cream, we headed back out to the M1 for the 50 mile journey back home. Overall, whilst the house itself was stunning, the overall experience wasn't the best. Mainly in my opinion because it is a council run public estate, and for us it just didn't have that special feel; it actually felt like a public park. But hey, still a good half a day out.
Comments
Post a Comment