Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Thursday 13 September 2012

Baddesley Clinton - Part One




I spent an afternoon earlier this week at the National Trust property of Baddesley Clinton - a moated manor house mainly built in the fifteenth century which has beautiful gardens and a woodland walk.












Baddesley Clinton was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years. I didn't go inside the house today but its well worth a visit containing coats of arms in stained glass, priestholes and lots of carved oak.













After looking round the Courtyard I walked through the woods and past the fishpools and lake.

One of the fishpools or stewponds which provided medieval households with fish





The Great Pool - I spent several minutes in one spot watching a flock of Long-tailed Tits and a goldcrest which was hovering and catching insects in a manner reminiscent of a Spotted Flycatcher or Hummingbird!





The walled garden was full of summer colour and butterflies











I always try and visit Baddesley in September as there is an absolutely stunning dahlia bed. This year it looked particularly beautiful. Hope you like dahlias because there's a lot of photos!































Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly






House and Moat



And when you leave the House and Gardens there are a few Scarecrows waiting to say Goodbye







I took far too many photos to put in one post so I will do a follow-up soon showing a superb collection of sporting theme Scarecrows in the Vegetable Garden and some of the butterflies seen in the Walled Garden.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks like a superb house. The Dahlias are wonderful, the colours and forms all so different.

Ragged Robin said...

Toffeeapple - Many thanks - so glad you like the dahlias - they really are a wonderful sight. The house is very interesting. I went last Christmas when they decorated it but it really is too dark inside for photos as they don't allow flash.

Rohrerbot said...

Robin Robin Robin Robin!!! Those pictures are stunning.....and the reds....oh the reds! What shade of red is that?? Stunning. Words don't do my reaction justice. Love the Dahlia garden but I am mesmerized by the dazzling colors of those reds. Wonderful shots up close(and far). That one place looks like a Bilbo Baggin's home from the Shire.

Dartford Warbler said...

Dahlias are so colourful and are perfect flowers for the last weeks of summer. That looks a very interesting garden.

Ragged Robin said...

Rohrerbot - Thanks so much Chris - so glad you enjoyed. The reds are rather stunning although I have no idea what shade!!! I'll ask husband as he paints and he might have some idea.

I've never thought about Bilbo Baggins there before but you are so right about the Summer House - can't wait for the new film to appear :)

Thanks again for your lovely comment :)

Dartford Warbler - Many thanks. The garden is lovely - I haven't visited it so much this year but its pretty at all times. Must admit I would love a dahlia bed - I have just one plant!