After a chilled out week I was getting a little cabin crazy so I managed to persuade my kids that we needed to go out. Oh no! But what would they do without their screens, their Ds’, laptops, PS4. Maybe they could take the Ds’ for use in the car on the journey, it was a compromise I was willing to make for a little freedom from these four walls.
Baddesley Clinton
Just a few miles away was a place I’d been longing to visit, Baddesley Clinton.
This is the forecourt, isn’t it just delightful. Built in the 16th Century the house has a lot of history. Mostly to do with the hiding of catholic priests in underground tunnels, which are still there. But also it was home to some extraordinary women with some amazing talents and interesting views. I will write more about our visit later, even the kids were glad we left the house and screens behind in the end.
Of course they were thrilled when we first got there as the house is surrounded by a moat!
Of course there were plenty of ducks around too, as well as sheep roaming free in the grounds.
The house was really interesting to visit, there was so much to see. The kids did a little trail around the house where they had to find a number of hidden things which they really enjoyed. I couldn’t go upstairs but I was given a virtual tour by iPad (don’t tell the kids!) It looked really interesting and the kids loved it, which is quite surprising because, if I’m honest, they don’t really like being dragged around old buildings.
Telling the Time
Just one more photo for this post. In the middle of the walled garden, instead of swings, which Boo was disappointed about, there was a Sundial. It was almost right, we just need to move the sun a little. This was taken at 3pm. I’d say it was telling us it was 2.30pm
That place looks stunning. Always looking to add places to visit for when I go traveling next year. Thanks for linking up #mysundayphoto
I love that we have some great places like this right on our doorstep, now we know we will visit more frequently.
Just the word moat conjures up old fairy tales. Love to see this place.
It truly is a magical place.
It looks beautiful and so very English #Mysundayphoto
Yes, definitely very English. I was surprised to see some of the written work by the women of the house. They would be really out of place these days, so submissive to their masters (men) and deeply religious.
Glad they all had a lovely visit. It does look an interesting place. I always envy people who visit National Trust places, but there’s no way teenagers would be tempted by ‘looking round a lovely house and gardens’!
I joined simply to give us a reason to get out of the house, but I have to admit, the kids are not always keen to go. It’s great when they do special events though, like Easter egg hunts. Sadly a lot of these old properties are not wheelchair friendly, can you imagine a lift in a 15th century house? I have to miss out on going upstairs.
That courtyard is beautiful! Looks like the weather was perfect for you too!
It was all very beautiful and the weather was too, we had to find shade when we were outside.
What lovely photos! The house and gardens are beautiful. It looks like a great day out x
The kids were glad we dragged them out in the end, but we literally had to drag them out!
Hi Anne, you have to get out sometimes or you will go mad. The house looks lovely in that top photo and I bet it’s seen some goings on. Underground tunnels always make for a good story. Whoever imagined up the sundial was one clever person. Although telling the time must have been frustrating at times. A little like having a watch without a rechargeable battery when the sun went in.
xx
Yes, I guess time by the sundial was very estimated most of the time. It was amazing to see the priest holes. They had taken part of the wall out so we could see, but the priests had to climb down from the upper floor and hide in the tiniest of places. There were some great stories to read while their. The women who ran the house were very brave too, especially considering the punishment that they faced if caught.
And yes, it was good to get out, I’m paying for it today though, I’m shattered.
That place looks amazing, what a lovely day out I bet that was.
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Wow its such a beautiful house and it looks like your kids had a lovely time. I’ve never actually seen a sundial, ever. I think I need to find one somewhere just so that I can say I’ve seen one in real life 🙂
Oooo this look s lovely, my two love history! We are off on holiday soon and will be visiting Bath, Glastonbury AND Stonehenge. We can’t wait!
This pictures looks like they came out from a fairy tale!!
Wow so pretty!
The forecourt is just breathtaking.
What a lovely house. I am glad you enjoyed your visit. It’s so great when we manage to drag the kids out and off their screens, isn’t it? They actually remember that there are nice things to do out in the big wide world. Sounds like it was an interesting place to visit.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Not bad for a 400-year-old stone watch though. Most of my digital watches have stopped completely. I’d love to stand by a moat and watch sheep roam about. Uh oh, hope your kids don’t see you broke the rules and used an iPad.I’ll refrain from any Catholic priest jokes.
Beautiful place. I love these old houses. I would be excited about a moat too 🙂
-Soma
What a beautiful place to visit. I do love visiting old properties and looks like the kids did too. The moat is very cool. Such lovely photos. Hope you are having a good summer xx
Thank you Susan, yes we are having a great summer so far. I can’t wait for our holiday which starts the end of next week. xx
Looks like my kind of place! I’d say that sundial was spot on if you take the reading from the top of the shadow. Sundial timings are based on GMT so 3pm BST will be an hour ahead of 2pm GMT (don’t quote me on this!)
You know, I did intend to look up how sundials work once I got home but I never did, but you are probably right, I never thought about that.
Looks like an incredible place! The sundial is amazing too #MySundayPhoto
Looks like an 1800’s English Country Garden! #MySundayPhoto