Hubby and I recently spent five weeks in England
I have family there and one of the things we love to do
is visit the many National Trust Properties
The trust describes itself as "a charity that works to preserve and protect historic places and spaces—for ever, for everyone".
In other words if the owners (Lords and Lady's) of the grand manor houses can no longer afford the high taxes and upkeep on the properties (which have probably been in their families for hundreds of years) they can bequeath them to the National Trust and the Trust will take over the cost and upkeep of these national treasures.
Many times the families will still be able to live
in a smaller portion of the house while the remainder
is open to the public to visit.
So put on that fancy hat
and join us as we visit
these grand, beautiful castles and homes........
Let's head over to
West Sussex to the
palatial estate of Petworth
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| Petworth has been home to descendents of the same family for 900 years. The Petworth art collection is the finest and the most important in the care of the National Trust |
Let's enter this spectacular home through the back courtyard which separates the main house from the detached building where the servants lived and worked - there is an underground tunnel that the servants used to travel to and from the main house
Hope you wore your comfy shoes
there's lots of walking and lot's of stairs!!
The state rooms are laid out much the
same as they were hundreds of years ago
These grand spaces were never intended for everyday living. They were designed to showcase the extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures to the family's guests
However there is a section of this magnificent home that is still
lived in by Lord and Lady Egremont,
as they continue the tradition
of unbroken family occupancy
Let's pretend we had tea with Lord and Lady Egremount
 |
| How do you like your tea? One lump of sugar or two???? |
..........and now we must say goodbye and
travel on down the road to Kent
Climb into your carriage or Rolls Royce
(which ever suits your taste)
We are going to visit
Hever Castle
(Home to Anne Boylen while she was
being courted by King Henry the VIII)
Check out the history of Hever Castle HERE
 |
| Won't you join us for a look around this fabulous castle |
How are those feet doing???? If you can walk a little further let's take a stroll around the beautiful grounds
And finally, what's a castle without
it's own private lake!!
Thank you for wandering around the English countryside with us
We hope you enjoyed your peak
into these magnificent homes
Every Little Birdie says
Watch for my next post
We will be visiting a famous English cottage!