Sunday 21 May 2017

Day 8 Sudeley Castle and Chavenage

We have had a fabulous day of variety: architecture, history, gardens, textiles, vistas, movie sets and flowers.

First stop was the beautiful Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds near Winchcombe.  The present 19th century residence was built on an around the ruins of a 15th century castle. The castle was in the possession of several kings including Henry VIII and it is known that he and Anne Boleyn visited the castle.

 

  

When Henry died, his so. Edward VI gave the castle to Thomas Seymour, his uncle.  Seymour married Katherine Parr, who had been the sixth wife of Henry VIII.  In fact she is buried in a beautiful chapel on the grounds of Sudeley Castle.

We took our time extensively touring the magnificent gardens which have been restored to historic perfection.

 

I am in the Queens' Garden here.

 

 

This is part of the White Garden planted next to the Chapel of St Mary.  Beautiful

 

 

This is the Chapel.

 

 

 

This is the tomb of Katherine Parr, built by the Victorians to honour the English Queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 



This is the ruined Tithe Barn from the 15th century.

 

Very pleased with the close up photos I took of the magnificent flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

The house itself displays an amazing exhibition of antique textiles. Beautiful embroidered stomacher and fiscue.

 

An amazing 16th century stumpwork box.

 

This exquisite 16th century stumpwork embroidery surrounded a mirror.

 

 

 

Wonderful samplers on display.

 

 

 

Magnificent tapestry.

 

Anne Boleyn was said to have worked on this beautiful lace.

 

The residents of the house were also avid collectors of autographs.  This is actually the signature of ahenry VIII.



More beautiful gardens.

 

 

We certainly loved our visit to Sudeley Castle.

 

Our next visit was to beautiful Chavenage, built in the Elizabethan style in the late 16th century.  This picture will give you a clue as to why I was so excited to visit.

 

Yes, the house was used as a film set for the recent series of Poldark.  The exteriors and interiors were used to represent Trenwith.



 

 

 

 

 

The house is still in private hands and we had a delightful tour of the house by the owners themselves.  

 

 

This is original Elizabethan wood paneling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The grounds of the estate are superb.

 

 

 

 

They have their own beautiful chapel.

 

These are in the entrance.

 

 

 

 

This 11th century Saxon font was found in the foundations of a barn.

 

We were served a delicious meal in the ballroom.

 

 

Alas, no Aiden Turner appeared but we all had a gorgeous day.

 



 


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