Last weekend I visited Charlecote Park a National Trust property in Warwickshire. The estate is said to have been in the ‘Lucy’ family since the 13th Century but the house was completed in 1558. The house itself has been ‘dressed’ as it would have been in the Victorian times and there really is a lot to see and experience. When we first went into the house there was a talk that had begun about clothes ladies wore in that era and even how items became fashionable back in Tudor times when Elizabeth I reigned. All the rooms were amazing from the attention to detail in carvings to the opulence of the lifestyle, you could really imagine what life for the aristocracy was like back then. It was just like walking onto the set of a historical drama!
The library was just stunning it is said to be one of the top three libraries cared for by the National Trust – I just wanted to get a horticultural book out and sit, read and be lost in time! There were staff or volunteers on hand in most rooms answering questions and telling quirky tales to bring it alive.
After the house you come back out and follow signs to see the Victorian Kitchen where someone cooking using Victorian implements and recipes and explaining what they were doing. The Brew-house across the courtyard was where all the beer was made for the family and guests then there was the Laundry room and the Carriage Collection which was interesting to see. The various carriages had different uses depending on who was driving it, what time of year it was or whether it was a social event! All very interesting, lots of notes, posters or even guides around so you could learn more about life back then.
For me really it was the gardens and parkland I was most interested in knowing that there was a connection to ‘Capability’ Brown and but I was really impressed with the house. The entrance was very impressive walking down a long straight tree lined path, it doesn’t take much to imagine horse drawn carriages approaching the grand house entrance. Once through the gatehouse the small garden area was mainly formal with clipped Yew and symmetrical planting. The gardens for a house of this stature I thought were quite small and understated; there was of course, the obligatory parterre which could be seen from the dining room (that must have escaped the clutches of Brown!) from where a view of the River Avon could be seen.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The parkland had all the ‘Capability’ Brown trademarks, open vistas with undulating land stretching in places as far as the eye could see where the clever use of planting framed the best views. The Ha Ha brought nature closer to the house without dominating or destroying the manicured gardens enjoyed by the Master and Ladies of the house. The nature found at Charlecote is most notably Deer which still roam the parkland and are kept inside with the decorative and traditional oak paling fencing.
There is plenty to see and do here whether you want to stroll around the parkland, see the house or have a bite to eat, a good day out and definitely a recommended visit.