Take A Peak

 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

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!