One sunny and dry day last week D,E and I visited NT Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire to explore the Snowman Trail. We had wanted to go for weeks but Christmas, New Year and grotty weather got in the way! The car park had also been full every day over the Christmas period but it was much quieter when we went although the car park which is on a slight slope was like an ice rink! Anyway we safely negotiated it and got to the house.
The Snowman sculptures have been created by Wild in Art and have been placed around the gardens. They have been painted by national and international artists and the designs represent the different days in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" carol. The Snowman Trail has been inspired by Raymond Briggs book "The Snowman".
"Partridge in a Pear Tree" created by Donna Newman
"Three French Hens" created by Lei Mei Lemaow
Baddesley Clinton is a lovely moated manor house.
"Four Calling Birds" created by Laura Kate Chapman
Timothy made a brief appearance but was furious he wasn't wearing his jumper so he had to return to my bag!
"Five Gold Rings" created by Adam Pekr
-"Six Geese a-Laying" created by Amanda Quellin
"Seven Swans a-Swimming" created by R Roberts
"Eight Maids a-Milking" created by Megan Heather Smith-Evans
"Nine Ladies Dancing" created by Lizzie Rose Chapman.
"Ten Lords a-Leaping" created by Hammo
"Eleven Pipers Piping" created by Sue Guthrie
"Twelve Drummers Drumming" created by Jessica Perkin
There were lots of seedheads left in the walled garden which is great news for birds and insects.
I loved these Boxing Hares which were for sale. I was sorely tempted!
It was a shame we didn't have time to go in the house although I think the Christmas Decorations have now been taken down. D and I did go inside earlier this year though. If you want to see the house interior please click on the link here Baddesley Clinton Walk Round the Lake and House Interior
It was good to get out for a few hours even though it was freezing cold!
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).
Good to get out and about whilst the weather allows. Those hares are wonderful aren't they? It was great to see the Snowmen again, we saw them at Clumber Park in December 24. I'm glad they are still moving around the NT properties and that you got to see them. I wonder where they will appear next? Take care and stay safe and warm:)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Rosie. I did love those hares - I shall regret not buying them. I am glad you enjoyed the Snowmen at Clumber Park. I might be wrong but I have a feeling that sculptures are appearing at different properties at the same time so they may have made several of each one. I think the Trail at Baddesley has been there since November. Take care and stay safe and warm too.
DeleteGoodness, not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't that! What a splendid idea, and they are all so fabulously done! I think Eleven Pipers Piping is my favourite, but it is not easy to pick just one.
ReplyDeleteSorry Timothy forgot his jumper! Silly Bear!
Thanks so much Debbie. I am glad you enjoyed seeing them even if it wasn't what you were expecting :) I liked them all too but I think my favourite was Nine Ladies Dancing. Timothy is still having a mood as he blames me for not putting his jumper on!! :)
DeleteWhat a good dose of fresh air and good to see the Snowmen.
ReplyDeleteI always say it's not the things I buy I regret, it's not buying them. People do this at my stall. They fall in love with something, go away to think about it, come back and are gutted to find someone else didn't walk away to think about it and it's sold . . .
Thanks so much BB. To be honest I didn't even dare look at the price! The one thing I have always regretted not buying is a stone dragon I saw at a vintage place in Herefordshire. When we went back to buy it for my birthday it had gone :(
DeleteThe trail looks like it was a lot of fun :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much CherryPie.
DeleteHow brilliant. Some of those designs are fabulous. The boxing hares are lovely too. Its always good to be out in these short days no matter how chilly.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Andrew and it was good to get out. Glad you enjoyed the post and liked the hares :)
DeleteWell I enjoyed those, although some are better than others. I don't get that last one. A brown patterned snowman - where are the drummers? I like the hares too. How much were they?
ReplyDeleteHave to admit, I thought this was going to be real snowmen - as there was so much snow in parts of the UK just recently! :-)
Thanks so much Mandy. I agree as I liked some but others not so much and I agree about the drummers one. I couldn't see any drummers either. I took photos of the descriptions under the snowmen so will read what that says. Not sure how much the hares were - I didn't dare look as I didn't want to be tempted. When I next go I will check the price if they are still there!
DeleteSomeone else told me they thought they would be ice sculptures :) The trail was there for weeks so sadly real snow or ice men wouldn't have lasted!
Hi again Mandy. I have read the description now - the golden brown colour evokes the spirit of Christmas and may remind people of the aroma of gingerbread. There are drummers apparently. On his back (I never thought to check the backs of the snowmen!) are a marching band of 12 tiny drumming mice.
DeleteHaha, well I don’t get any mental smells of gingerbread! Shame the mice drummers were on the back though. Bet the hares cost hundreds!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get any mental smells of gingerbread when I was there either. NT shops probably are probably not the best places to buy sculptures like the hares.
DeleteProbably over priced!
ReplyDeletePleased you went to see them
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Pete.
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