Baddesley Clinton

Yesterday afternoon I visited Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire with a friend. Baddesley Clinton is a moated medieval manor house and is probably my favourite local national trust property. We only had time to visit the gardens and grounds which are lovely so no photos this time of the inside of the manor but here a few of the outside.

















Here is a view looking towards the parkland that surrounds the house and gardens.



I love this stone seat with the carved stone animals.





We walked around the fish pools (created by medieval manor houses to keep the household well stocked with fish) and then took a nature trail through woodland which leads to the Great Pool and lakeside walk. Saw plenty of blue and great tits in the woodland plus the inevitable robin and when we reached the Great Pool we saw a grey wagtail flying along the stream which flows from the Pool. Several speckled wood and a small white butterfly fluttering around in the wood.

















This is a photo of the wildflower meadow which has several paths you can follow and we saw dozens of ringlet butterflies in pristine condition together with a large skipper, meadow browns and a gatekeeper.



We had a wander around the vegetable garden.









The walled garden was first created in 1722 and today contains some beautiful perennials. Saw several comma and many small tortoiseshell butterflies(it was great to see so many of this species in view of their recent decline) amongst the flower beds.































Four rows of coppiced hazels are found in the Nut Grove.



I spent a lot of time trying, unsuccessfully in the main, to photograph butterflies. Eventually managed to secure an image of a small tortoiseshell on lavender. Uncropped and cropped photos below.





A wonderful afternoon out in great company. Thanks J.