Stourhead

With only a few weeks before we leave for our annual trip to my beloved England,

 it's high time to make a start with the two Blog posts

 - I promised myself to write - of our trip last year.

One of them is about our wonderful visit to the beautiful estate Stourhead, 

 of which you can read more about its origins here.

 This was our first view when we entered this 'living work of art'.

Inspired by the work of 16th-century architect Palladio,

 this five-arched stone bridge was built in 1762.

 Although ornamental, the bridge was intended to look practical. 

It was designed to create an illusion that a river flows through the village and under the bridge.

Being there at Summer time there was so much variety of flowers.

Although we were there in high season, it seemed like it was just us and the birds.

The beautiful Temple of Apollo , nowadays often used as wedding venue.

The beautiful Pantheon across the lake designed by Henri Flitcroft
modelled by the original in Rome.

And its indoors.

The cascade was added in 1766 as a decorative way to carry surplus water
 from the main lake down to the lower pond in Turner’s Paddock.

In the distance the Temple of Flora, dedicated to the Roman goddess of flowers and spring.
 This temple was the first garden building erected by Henry Hoare II between 1744 and 1746.
 Over the doorway the Latin inscription reads ‘Keep away, anyone profane, keep away’.
 Henry asks you to enter his garden in the right spirit.

The Gothic Cottage, affectionately called the Watch Cottage, was Alda's
favourite place to write.

We had a lovely picnic at this spot, accompanied by all kind of wildlife.

Next stop was a visit to the impressive Family Home

The library with a gorgeous view through the window seat.

All around the house there were such friendly volunteers who happily told us the

 (family) story of the former residents, especially about the family room.

There was a lot of entertaining (as a lovely lady volunteer told us) in this room.

 Especially for the injured soldiers who returned from the war.

 The former residents had a soft spot regarding them because of their only son

 who died during the First World War.

Apart from all other art a lovely painting of Stonehenge

We concluded our day here with a visit to the walled garden of the house.

To have a greenhouse like this.

Serious shed envy.

My first ever photographed swallow.

It was such a lovely step back in time. Although it's quite some time ago,

 it brought back wonderful memories and can't wait to make some more.

Next post will be about Monk's House, much smaller but just as beautiful.

Hope you will join me again!

Anita

~xo~

This year's escape ....

Thinking about it a little longer it must sound like a weird title, but to me it's a real escape from daily life and at the same time having a great desire to make it part of my daily life onetime.

England has conquered my heart, just look at that (every time again) overwhelming view on our arrival after a only two hours boat ride ....

After a long drive we arrived at "our home" for our first week (in Devon) and as if we had stumbled into an episode of Escape to the Country  when we saw the surroundings of Crosslands Dairy .
With also the most gorgeous garden ....

Where obviously this lovely bunch came from ....

But also geraniums in almost every windowsill ....

And our wonderful view from the cosy living room ....

And this was our view from the kitchen window, as if I was home ....

Even managed to photograph my first ever swallow ....

And this summerly scene just around the corner, poppies as far as the eye reached ....

The next day we had our first of the only two rainy days on this holiday. And as we were still a bit tired of the journey we decided to make a short drive to the beautiful city Exeter and ended up at Bill's for lunch. Where not only the shop its appearance is gorgeous, so is the food ....

Next on our list was to visit  Dartmoor National Park where we were once before, four years ago, while visiting England as a family.
I've got sweet memories of our visit to the beautiful village Moretonhampstead so we took it along in our route....

And again visited the cutest tea room ever where it seems as nothing was changed, still as if you're in a cosy living room where everyone seems to know each other, The Gateway Tea Room ....

The lovely town is really the gateway to the High Moor because not long after we left the little town this was one of our many stunning views ....

And not only sheep on our way but also these beautiful Dartmoor Ponies ....

On our way through the park we also passed Two Bridges ....

And also here the beautiful foxglove which I encountered in almost every hedgerow on our way through England ....

And curious by the sight of this we visited the beautiful village Widecombe in the Moor ....

And its beautiful church also known as Cathedral of the Moors where I really loved the
roof bosses and the view through the windows on the rolling green hills ....

and the impressive cemetery ....

Another "must" being in Devon was a visit to the picturesque village Clovelly where the walk towards already was so very beautiful ....

And what came after didn't disappoint either ....

After our hike down on the cobbles we reached the small but lovely harbour, it really felt like a step back in time ....

Just had to take a picture of this man , which I think also was a tourist, but perfectly fitted in the whole setting of this gorgeous spot ....

We ended our visit on a terrace having Devon cream tea with this view, we easily could have stayed all day on this gorgeous spot ....

Being so near Cornwall I just wanted to embrace a bit of the Poldark scenery along our way so we went to the beautiful small hamlet Port Quin - with at the coast Doyden Castle , these days leased as a dream holiday location by National Trust ....

Just can't find the right words to express how I was impressed by its enchanting atmosphere ....

Standing there - just the two of us - in the middle of the overpowering forces of nature ....

 

How lovely it would be to have all this on your doorstep and stay in Quin Cottage , one of the

former fisherman's cottages ....

A lovely lady I met on a fair also in England and since then a dear friend via Internet gave us the tip to visit the lovely town Topsham. Not only I loved all the wonderful shops but also the beautiful and very dutch looking gables of these houses ....  

As it was such a sunny and warm day we decided to end our day on Sandy Bay Beach and it really felt as if we were at the french riviera ....

Our last day in Devon we spent again in Dartmoor and stopped for lunch in the lovely village Chagford also known as "the jewel of Dartmoor".

I couldn't agree more, a beautiful village with all kinds of small shops. Another thing I love about England - the small shops aren't, as with us, disappeared from the streets.

Don't you just love this beautiful storefront from the local bakery ....

Our week in Devon went much to fast and we'll definitely return because there's still so much more to explore.

Luckily we still had a few days left in West Sussex where we would be meeting so much lovely people so no goodbye yet.

The journey towards was already so worthwhile ....

So yes, there will definitely be a part 2 ....

Till then!

Anita

~xo~