As I mentioned before, we visited, and truly enjoyed, the National Trust Properties. I know if I lived in England, I would be a member so I could go to these properties all the time. They are absolutely wonderful!
Oh my gosh was Stourhead a magical place! One of my all time favorite things in this world is a thatched roof cottage. It was on my "must see" list for this trip. I can't tell you how many hundreds of times I sent Jules photos of these cottages! I bugged the poor woman to death! LOL!
Well, I almost passed out from excitement when we came down the path and I spotted it!
Oh..my...GOSH!!!!! Squeeeeeeeee!
CHECK this off my list of things I've always wanted to see! It couldn't have been more perfect.
I just had to hug it. I wanted to take it home and put it in my backyard. I would use it as my studio. The magical tales the bunnies and I could tell from there! hee,hee,hee
The leaded windows inside were so pretty. I love this photo of Sallieann standing near them.
There was this charming fireplace with pumpkins and dried flowers hanging from the rafters and
this was the view from the windows, complete with a perfect swan. Oh how fun it would be to have that as my studio view!
Moving on down the path we came along the Grotto.
A grotto is a natural or artificial cave used by humans in both modern times and antiquity, and historically or prehistorically. Naturally occurring grottoes are often small caves near water that are usually flooded or liable to flood at high tide. Sometimes, artificial grottoes are used as garden features.
Here's Beth near the entrance. She was cold most of the trip as you can tell from this photo. LOL!
This is the view as we entered.
Inside there were sculptures and vignettes.
Looking out across the lake. Magical isn't it? It was like something from a movie.
We all had a good chuckle as we visited all the magnificent places on this property. We said things like, "Darling, what do you think we should build on the property this year? Oh I know, how about a Grotto?" LOL!!
Moving on down the path we came along the Temple of Apollo.
Absolutely amazing inside with the soaring ceiling and sculptures.
More winding down the paths.
Cottages you can rent out!
Flowers! I remember back in the late 90's there was a commercial for Lowe's Home Improvement stores for Laura Ashley home furnishings. It said, "It must be cloudy and damp for roses to bloom their full bloom." They then proceeded to show all this wonderful Laura Ashley floral stuff, to which I got in the car and went out and purchased a rose trellis rug. hee,hee,hee. I loved that rug. I still love Laura Ashley to this day and I couldn't agree more about the cloudy and damp being good for everything that grows in England. It's funny as I thought the same thing about all the vegetation when I visited Seattle Washington.
Moving on down the path, how about a Pantheon? Why yes, we should build a Pantheon on our property this summer. ;)
Just as our many wonderful meals before, our lunch at the Spread Eagle Inn was simply perfect. This is the view looking out from our table. I had the most incredible carrot and parsley soup with a hunk of crusty, fresh made bread. Jules ordered a traditional cider for us all to try. Heaven it was! Everyone there was so lovely to us. We loved the look on their faces when they found out we were Americans. Beth and I are both quiet (Beth more so than me) and respectful of people and places. Apparently, as Jules and Sallieann told us, most Americans are viewed as LOUD and a bit overbearing. I was happy we could disprove that theory just as I disproved to friends here that the food in England was bad. ;)
Well, I was going to show you the Cotswolds and the Manor House where we had high tea, but there are too many photos for me to go through and it's already late. So, I will be back here next week with that. Maybe I will be back on Sunday to show you that...yes, I think I will. High tea on Sunday it shall be!
So until then, I leave you with a link HERE to Stourhead. I do encourage you to visit this lovely, magical place. Oh and I also recommend the carrot and parsley soup. :)
Light, love and hugs,
Michelle
10 comments:
Thanks for sharing beautiful memories of your trip.
So glad you got to see a thatched cottage. The grotto looks very interesting. Love seeing more of your wonderful English holiday. Looking forward to your next post. Hugs, xx
Oh. My. Goodness! I was totally enthralled reading this post and drooled over each and every photo!
I want to wear a flowy white dress and be kissed by the love of my life on that little arched bridge ❤❤ loved loved this post! Hubby nearly split reading the name of the inn !
I want a cottage too--and that view to go with it--with bird feeders here by--lovely photos--
and that carrot and parsley soup and bread sound heavenly as well--if I was rich I would take us both back there for a visit!!
luv, di
Michelle I never tire of reading your blog and this one was lovely. I would be back there in a flash if I could.
Regarding the lush foliage in Seattle - you all do realize that residents here .. and throughout the entire Pacific NW .. are required to spend at least 4 hours every other week between Sept and May cutting back and grubbing out our state plant - the Invasive Blackberry!!
Isn’t the history, the buildings and the greenery just amazing. Makes you wish that you could dive into a photo and live there blissfully for ever. So happy that you had a wonderful trip. When we travelled around there we did all my husbands ancestral areas, homes and castles in England, Wales and Scotland. All I could think was how new white civilisation is here in Australia and how hot and dry we are.
Oh Shell.......
Dreamland. What a lovely, gentle place.
Having only ever seen wonderful photographs of these magical places I am entranced and would love to visit. Now with your amazing trip I feel like I am here with you. Your photos and descriptions are lovely dear. This is truly a magical trip you have enjoyed. <3
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