Taking granddaughter home and returning back within a day is quite a long round trip. We took a picnic lunch to share on arrival, and then walked into the local town where all three of us had a delicious ice cream at an Italian galateria - we then bid our fond farewells.
To break the journey home we visited Ascott House and gardens in Buckinghamshire - a former c16th hunting lodge
Ascott was donated the the National Trust in 1949 by Anthony de Rothschild, a member of the same family who donated Waddesden - a French Renaissance style chateau. The property is filled with several outstanding collections including Oriental porcelain, c17th Dutch Master paintings and works by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Stubbs. The house also has some rare and exquisite items of c18th English and French furniture. Unfortunately photography is not permitted within the property as it is still lived in during the winter months by members of the Rothschild family.
The back of Ascott
Time was of the essence, we managed only a quick wander around the immediate garden before resuming our journey home
The south lawn takes in views across the landscape beyond
The topiary above is a sundial, but on that day the sun remained hidden in cloud
The sunken garden
Herbaceous Walk
We barely scratch the surface of the many different garden areas, but will call again.
What lovely atmospheric shots. With the sunless skies the colours in the garden seemed to glow. I will have to put Ascott house on my 'to do' list. B x
ReplyDeleteThe green certainly had a luminosity to it when we visited, but with the recent hot dry weather it may now be looking less so.
DeleteA beautiful lodge and so well maintained with the garden around.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed very immaculate
DeleteWhat a lovely place for a stop along the way Rosemary. The Tudor buildings are very striking, and I find the herbaceous border absolutely gorgeous. I hope you can go back for a longer visit next time.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely call back in again sometime Patricia.
DeleteDear Rosemary, Those pinks and blues in the sunken garden are especially beautiful. What a lovely place to visit and thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina - both the interior of the house and the gardens are very tasteful with much to delight the visitor.
DeleteLove the sunken garden and topiary!
ReplyDeleteSadly the majority of the different garden areas we missed, but must call again Debra.
DeleteYou have so many beautiful places to explore in England. The house and gardens are just beautiful. The metalsmith in me can't help but notice the iron work they created to support the lantern over the entry. It is a very interesting way to solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteI too was very taken with the entrance and the interesting way in which the latern was supported.
DeleteBeautiful place, it's good to be rich.
ReplyDeleteThe Rothchilds family became very, very, rich through banking - they were the biggest money lenders in Europe.
DeleteAll the beautiful shades of green would make for a lovely, cooling walk to stretch one's legs and break up a trip.
ReplyDeleteSometimes using shades of green is quite sufficient to create an impact when used imaginatively.
DeleteHello Rosemary, The gardens at Ascott are really beautiful, especially the vistas, but I would really like to tour the house, a great example of black-and-white, and so crisply maintained.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - I wish that I could have taken photographs of the interior which has very liveable and comfortable spaces. Apart from the wonderful paintings and objects each room has been imaginatively decorated and there is also a clever use of interesting fabrics.
DeleteI would to LOVE visit Ascott! You show us something amazing and beautiful...
ReplyDeleteLove from Titti
Dear Titti - I would have loved to have you accompany me to Ascott♡
DeleteWhat a fabulous place! So excited to see your post because there is a chance that I will be going there in the coming weeks and I am even more excited about my visit now having see your lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your visit Amy - give yourself plenty of time to explore the lovely gardens - there is so much more to them than I have shown here.
DeleteLovely grounds and house. Can't beat a bit of Tudor for elegance. Belated thought on your last post that's just struck me- if all the angels depicted have wings... why did they need a long ladder? Surely much quicker and easier just to fly up and down :o)
ReplyDeleteThat is very strange Bob! I don't think that I have ever seen an angel flying on any paintings, tapestries, or sculptures.
DeleteSigh. Another one for the list...lovely shots, Rosemary.
ReplyDeletePeople like you and me that share similar interests are very fortunate that we have an endless list of places that we can visit and enjoy wherever we travel in this country.
DeleteI like the different shapes that the gardener trimmed the shubbery. Beautiful photos Roaemary..
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely garden Janey with so many beautiful trees
DeleteWhat a fantastic garden a real treat to the eyes !
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed seeing the garden Jane
DeleteWhat a stunning place! And your photos are exquisite! Xx
ReplyDeleteIt does have a great impact on you as you round the corner in the drive and see it for the first time - thank you for your visit Lyn.
DeleteWhat a most beautiful garden and the house is just fabulous. I think you had a great day.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so wonderful as usually.
It is indeed a lovely property Orvokki - glad that you enjoyed seeing it.
DeleteIf I stopped there I wouldn't want to leave! Oh to have a beautiful, neat, groomed garden like that. . . . . . and that house!
ReplyDeleteThe last pic of the herbaceous walk is so pretty Rosemary.
Sounds like you had a nice trip with your granddaughter - how we miss them when they're far away!
We now only have one out of five grandchildren who is still at school Mary - I can't believe just how quickly they have all grown up.
DeleteHow a love a garden that actually gets rain. Here in Southern California we are having to adapt and all plants really must be drought tolerant. I miss the broad swaths of green that once was a part of many gardens in this area. Fabulous pictures.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda - thank you for your visit and comment.
DeleteWe too are experiencing warmer, dryer conditions, but obviously not on the scale of Southern Carlifornia. It must be difficult keeping gardens moist yourself and having to rely on drought tolerant plants.
That is a beautiful house and garden, I do hope you will manage a longer visit there next time. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of garden that was unexplored so it does deserve another visit when we are passing Sarah.
DeleteDear Rosemary, as always it's a pleasure to be guided by you and your lens among all these beautiful gems you find.The list of inspiring, historic and beautiful places I want to visit both in the UK and other countries you've taken us to is getting very long now. And I'm so glad and thankful for that. Just as I am that our paths were crossed in this big blog universe. You're such a wonderful woman Rosemary. With a big warm heart you always spread so much warmth, joy and kindness both in my comment section and in the blog universe as a whole. You're a star. I want to thank you so much for all the beauty you share with us here on your blog. Your photo is always stunning and your posts interesting. I love how I always learn something new, get to visit new and exciting places and how you often make me think and reflect. I'm so thankful for having such a dear blog friend in my life and even though I'm now leaving the blog world I'll of course continue to come in here and see how you are and to be inspired by your posts.♥
ReplyDeleteAll the best of luck for the future sweet Rosemary and have a lovely summer.♥
Charlie
xx
Dearest Charlie - I have been greatly inspired by your strength and spirit, and am delighted to know that you may call in here again from time to time.
DeleteLet's say 'au revoir' rather than farewell and I hope your special creative writing skills continue to be both fullfilling and successful for you - thank you for the special friendship shared here♡
Lovely though it is - not a patch on your garden
ReplyDeleteThis has made me smile - I could never coped with a garden of this size, but thank you♡
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to part from your dear granddaughter.
She will forever remember the memorable lunch and ice creams...
You also added a lovely visit to this special Ascott hunting lodge. Wow, no doubt the Dutch paintings and all interior treasures, like garden treasures were a delight.
Too bad the sun was not out that day but still stunning photos to share with us.
Thanks for sharing and sending you hugs,
Mariette
It was quite a long tiring day Mariette but also enjoyable. We were sad to say farewell to our granddaughter but we all enjoyed a very happy few days doing lots of interesting things together.
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