On the Thursday I persuaded B to go to Burford House Gardens and take out a yearly pass so we can start visiting regularly again.
One of my favourite dragons :)
The estate of Burford had belonged to the Cornwall family since the Middle Ages but it was sold in 1720 to William Bowles who owned the Vauxhall Glassworks in Lambeth, London (the largest Glassworks in the country at the time). He was also MP for Bridport and later Bewdley. He commissioned the building of the present house in 1728 and extended the garden and built a summer house.
From 1860 Burford House was the home of George Rushout, 3rd Baron Northwick. In 1954 the estate was bought by John Treasure who completely changed the gardens and opened them to the public in 1958.
The house and part of the wall to the south east is Grade II listed.
Magnolias were flowering everywhere.
We walked over the bridge towards Ledwyche Meadow. It is too early yet for the main show of wild flowers but we did find some Cowslips.
Back into the gardens.
Timothy enjoying being back but wishing he was wearing a t-shirt not a jumper and scarf!!!!
In the past we have seen Kingfishers on the River Teme but today we had to be content with a few mallard!
My paternal grandparents used to live in Burford which makes these gardens even more special. Rosie from "Corners of My Mind" kindly did some research for me and discovered that for a while my great grandmother was a laundress at Burford House. My great grandfather was a coachman and, although I don't know for sure, I would like to think he was employed here too. Both are buried in St Mary's churchyard nearby.
St Mary's behind the garden wall. I really must revisit this church this year.
I spoke to a volunteer working in the gardens and apparently there are a lot of archives in the house which I would love to see but I don't think anyone has sorted them out.
Wisteria is just starting to come into flower and was covered with bees.
We saw lots of Orange Tips.
After visiting the gardens we stopped off in Tenbury Wells to buy some compost, have apple and cream turnovers in Mr Thoms and pick up a few items from Tesco.
When we got back I discovered we had received two emails which were to be honest a bit of a bombshell. The first was from the current owners of the caravan site to say they wanted to retire and had sold the site. The second was from the new owners. I have to be honest now and say I don't really like caravan parks at all but it was the cheapest way to get a rural retreat. I picked this particular site because it was uncommercialised, small with only a few caravans, had good views in rural surroundings and was very good for wildlife. Of course, the worry now is what may happen in the future such as creating more caravan plots, or building club houses and heated swimming pools, or allowing caravans to be let out or creating a place for touring caravans and tents. We have been assured that the new owners will hopefully keep the site as it is. So I am trying not to worry but I have to admit it was all a bit of a shock! I won't say too much more as this is a public blog.
The following day I took myself off to visit a church I hadn't been to before which had a font and dragon sculpture by the Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculptors. I'll write about that in the next post.
I hope everyone has a lovely Easter.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks)