After walking round Fish Pool Valley we ate a sandwich in the car and then went to look at the Croft Castle kitchen garden.
One of these days I will go in the house but there was no time on this visit - yet again!!!
Into the Kitchen Garden.
This walled garden was restored in the late 1950's and completely redesigned in the 1970's by Diana Uhlman and her volunteers. It extends over 3.5 acres.
Timothy climbing trees again!
The Mortimer Connection
The church of St Michael's had scaffolding all over it and I am not sure if it was open so I have used photos from previous visits to write about the connections between Croft Castle and the Mortimers.
The Croft family were friends and allies of the Mortimers of Wigmore (Marcher Lords). A traditional story suggests that a member of the Croft family with the Mortimers helped in the escape of Lord Edward from Hereford in 1265.
This is the altar tomb in the church of Sir Richard Croft died 1509 and his wife Dame Eleanor died 1520.
Sir Richard Croft was an important supporter of Richard, Duke of York and joined his son Edward at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross where they defeated the Lancastrians led by Owen Tudor. (A bit of background - when Edmund IV Mortimer died in 1425 without a son the Mortimer inheritance passed to his sister Anne's son who was Richard, Duke of York. His son Edward, the future King Edward IV was proclaimed King and crowned after the Battle of Towton). Sir Richard Croft was a close friend of Edward after he became king and his wife Eleanor was governess to the king's son.
According to this plaque Eleanor was a widow of Hugh Mortimer of Kyre.
We came home from Herefordshire on the Saturday.
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (Should anyone wish to use any of my photos or my sons I would be grateful if they could please email me first - thank you).
Reference: National Trust Guide Book to Croft Castle
"On the Trail of the Mortimers" by Philip Hume (Logaston Press)
I do so love {and miss} walking around gardens, especially walled kitchen gardens, even if there is danger of small bears dropping out of trees on one's head. I come away inspired but never put it into practice.
ReplyDeletei do like Croft.... waves at Timothy
ReplyDeleteRustic PUmpkin Thanks so much and lol re: small bears :) Walled gardens are hard to beat in my experience. Always lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe Quacks of Life - Thanks so much. Croft is rather good even OH likes it there!!!! Timothy waves back :)
That is quiet a walled garden to look around, I always find them interesting
ReplyDeleteMust say the church looks very interesting and the old tombs with effigies look in very good condition, I like how they are carved in their like ness of the time
Billy Blue Eyes - Thanks so much. We've been to the walled garden quite a few times now in different seasons and it always looks lovely. It is a well preserved tomb. Ifyou want to see more photos of the church interior and exterior please kick on "St Michael and All Angels, Croft Castle" under "my Labels" list.
ReplyDeleteLooks like another beautiful garden to visit! Great that you have so much choice now, with places near not just home, but also near the caravan park. Enjoy! 😁👍
ReplyDeleteMillymollymandy - Thanks so much. There is an awful lot to do and see in Herefordshire and many places much closer to the caravan site than places I visit from home in Warwickshire which can take an hour or more to get to!
ReplyDeleteI love visiting the kitchen garden there is always so much to see.
ReplyDeleteOn our most recent visit we were disappointed with the interior of the house. Most of the rooms were empty where on previous occasions they had interesting displays.
CherryPie - Thank you. That is disappointing re: the house. I still haven't been inside.
ReplyDelete