Chester and Dunham Massey

Another gorgeous day in Blighty! We took a Virgin Train from London's Euston Station, and headed up to visit some family in Cheshire. I hadn't seen them for a bit, so it was good to reconnect. I miss them terribly, and always wish they weren't so far away. But it's always a good excuse to head over to the UK! We spent the day shopping in Chester, always one of my favorite places. The black and white buildings are too quant, and the town is steeped in history. The evening brought a delicious meal of leg of lamb, and some much needed catching up time.

After a bit of a lie in (relatively, I mean, the past few morning we had been up around 5 am!), we headed our for visit to Dunham Massey, a stately home in the area. I hadn't been since I was 11 or 12, so I had vague memories, and it was good to see it again. As we know, I'm a sucker for a stately home. I'm pretty sure if I lived in the UK, I'd be visiting them all the time. The house history goes back to the 1400's, and it's incredibly interesting to see. You get to see a lot of the house, and the grounds. The gardens were just fabulous. My favourite part was seeing the amazing kitchens - with their massive ceilings. Just breathtaking.

Stately Home Sundays

Hi All! So I've been a bit scattered lately, traveling and such, and it's been tough to get a chance to sit with my computer undisturbed (read: keeping two french bulldogs and two jack russells from destroying my parent's house) ! I've been wanting to get back to you all, so, let's get to it!!

The first home (um, not so much a home as a castle!) I'd like to highlight in the Stately Home series is Powis Castle located near the town of Welshpool, Wales. Last June, while visiting my family, I had the opportunity to pay a visit - and it was certainly not disappointing!!! The drive into Wales has always been one of my favourites, with the rolling hills, and all the greenery. It's absolutely idyllic. Powis Castle sits on the top of a huge hill, as any good castle should, so it's a bit of a trek from the car park but oh so worth it.

It's the seat of the Earl of Powis, and it's known for it's extensive, and gorgeous gardens - when she was a Princess, Queen Victoria visited with her mother on a tour of England and Wales in 1832.

So, some time around 1200, the Welsh princes of Powis began building their new stronghold on an outcropping of limestone with panoramic views over the River Severn. Yes, waaay back in the day, before Wales was conquered, it was divided into many different independent kingdoms, Powis being one of them. Due to boundary changes, and the equal division of patrimony, few princes ever came close to ruling all of Wales. After Edward I conquered Wales, the last hereditary Prince of Wales, Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, then renounced his royal claim title, and was granted the title Baron de la Pole.

The Earl of Powis is a title that has been created three times. Through the course of history, the castle was turned over from Owain's descendent and sold to the second son of the Earl of Pembroke. Powis was turned over to Parliamentary troops was wasn't returned to the family until the restoration of Charles II. It was passed from lord to lord and earl to earl by different Kings - until becoming a National Trust property in 1952, upon the death of the 4th Earl of Powis.

If you are in a rush, and can only stay for a bit, I would totally wander through the gardens, and take in the outside of the house as you do (there are 25 acres of them!). The beautiful 5 tiered garden will keep you entranced for hours. And remember, what goes down must come up! But I swear it's worth the walk. They are said to be the best surviving examples of baroque garden architecture in the United Kingdom. Wander the apple orchards or check out the deer in the medieval deer park - then have some tea in one of the cafes. Powis Castle makes a great day out, and is one of my favourite properties. Hope you have a chance to get there!!

Q&C xx

The beautiful gardens of Powis Castle

The whimsical, towering hedges of Powis Castle.
FYI, four gardeners spend three months clipping these babies!

One of the resident male peacocks

The gardens at Powis Castle

Powis Castle

One of the beautiful, terraced gardens.

The gardens

Hard to see, but this tree has been shaped throughout the years,
and you can now walk underneath the bows.

Can you imagine trimming this?

One of the terraces

Stately Home Saturdays

I thought a fun thing to do would be to take a different property within the National Trust each week, and highlight that home, the home's history, features, famous residents, famous movies or books based there, etc. I can share some first hand details on the ones I have been to - and get excited to plan new trips to see other stunning properties! Let me know if you have any particular interests, or have been to any and can share any of your experiences.

Dana XX

The Wonder That is The National Trust

I always say, if I lived in England, I would make it a point to get to as many National Trust Properties as possible. I mean, the US has a great history don't get me wrong, but we are a fairly young country as these things go, and some of these houses in the UK go back to the 1400's!! I don't know what it is about it, I just can't get enough of the rich history. All of the people who have walked the halls, sat in the chairs, strolled in the gardens  - apparently, it gets me going...anyhow...

Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire is a stunning moated half-timbered manor house  - complete with a lovely knot garden! The house remained in the Moreton family for 450 years until it became part of the National Trust. The building itself actually appears to be bowing - and it is! The long gallery visible at the top of the building is roofed with heavy stone slabs, which has caused the supporting floors below to bow and buckle. Since this was discovered, it's been sured up and visitors are able to walk this beautiful space - originally an area for ladies to take exercise during inclement weather.

As an aside, can I tell you it's a secret love of mine that no matter what you visit in England, there is always a cafe (or two) where you can rest up halfway through your visit, and have a nice cuppa, and perhaps a buttered crumpet or scone :-) (American tourist attractions, please take note) Little Moreton Hall has a quaint one, complete with a nesting mother duck who likes to take strolls in to ask for some of your food! Though she was discovered by the staff, and promptly removed - much to the our sadness.

Below are some photos from my trip - hope you enjoy!

Little Moreton has done some settling over the years.

The beautiful black and white timbered exterior.

Detailing of the black and white timber

The Toilet - Empties into the Moat!

View from the Gallery

Little Moreton Hall