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These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
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Blickling is a large estate and stately home, with walks, gardens and a splendid house to enjoy. Much is made of it being Anne Boleyn's childhood home; she is even said to haunt the place, especially on 19 May, the anniversary of her execution. And she may well do so, but there is no visible trace of the house that Anne knew - so don't be fooled.
Blickling is actually recorded in the Domesday Book. Anne Boleyn’s great-grandfather, Geoffrey Boleyn (1406-63), bought the property in 1452. The red-brick Jacobean mansion we see today was built by Henry Hobart (1560 - 1626), sometime after 1616, designed by Robert Lyminge, the builder of Hatfield House. Great changes were made to the property in the 19th century. The last owner, Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess of Lothian (1882 - 1940), an influential politician and diplomat, left the estate to the National Trust. A particular feature of the house is the wonderful and unique library in the long gallery.
During the Second World War, part of the Blickling Estate became RAF Oulton, a bomber station, with service personnel billeted in Nissen huts in the grounds and officers in the house. itself. The National Trust has set up a museum on the site to commemorates this period in Blickling’s history.
Aylsham
Astonishing Stuart mansion, mid-way between a castle and a country house, built to entertain and impress by the staunchly Royalist Charles Cavendish. The place is full of surprises, including some intriguing and lavish decoration, a beautiful garden, wall walk and an unusual riding house. There is an informative exhibition which puts things in perspective before you tour - and a great childrens' playground!
Bolsover
Boscobel House is a 17th century farm, extended and refurbished in 19th. Its fame is as a hiding place for the future King Charles II following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Charles hid in one of two 'priest holes' in the house, having first escaped detection by climbing an oak tree in the grounds and, before that, briefly at nearby White Ladies Priory. As well as the interior of a small Stuart farmhouse, there is a pleasant garden, stables, smithy and cowhouse. A descendent of the oak tree that Charles climbed is still there. And its a relatively painless walk to White Ladies Priory.
Brewood
Bishop's Wood
Along a small private road to the south of East Grinstead are the ruins of what was once a fine Jacobean house. This is Brambletye House. There had been a Brambletye Manor at the time of the Domesday Survey, on a now deserted moated plot nearby. This house was built in 1631 by Sir Henry Compton and allegedly destroyed during the civil wars by Parliamentary troops. Of course, there are stories…
The ruins can be viewed from the road, but there is nothing to actually visit – the old house is on private land. That said, the listing on Historic England suggests the ruins might be viewed by appointment – contact details on their site.
Directions - off the A22 about 2 miles south of East Grinstead. There is very limited parking just inside the entrance to a westbound farm entrance and private road. From there, you need to walk.
Forest Row
Burghley is a grand 16th century house and estate on the edge of the charming East Midlands town of Stamford. The house was built by Elizabeth I's chief advisor and Lord High Treasurer Sir William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, and is still lived in by his descendents. The house contains an extensive collection of artwork and painted murals, including Verrio's 'Hell Staircase' (seen in 'The Da Vinci Code') and the hall has a magnificent hammerbeam roof. There are extensive gardens, statues and a fine park. Burghley is also famous for its annual Burghley Horse Trials, held in the autumn (best avoid visiting then!).
Calke is a mansion and estate on the site of a 12th century Augustinian abbey. The present Palladian style mansion is a consequence of reconstruction work dating from 1701, built around an Elizabethan house. The estate ultimately came into the hands of the Harpur-Crewe family and was acquired by the National Trust in a state of decay. The Trust has preserved the house pretty much in the condition it was found, packed full of artwork and stuffed animals, with an appearance largely unchanged since the late Victorian period - including the children's' nursery. It is a curious and fascinating time capsule. Outside are gardens, outhouses and extensive grounds, including a nature reserve.
Note: Entry to the house is by timed ticket.
Charleston Farmhouse (18th century?) was the country home of the artists Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) and Duncan Grant (1885-1978), who moved to Charleston in 1916. Grant was employed at a nearby farm, alongside his friend and lover David Garnett (1892-1981). Both Garnett and Grant were conscientious objectors. Charleston became a focal point for the group of radical artists, writers and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Set, which included John Maynard Keynes, Virginia Woolf (Vanessa Bell’s sister), E M Forster, Lytton Strachey and Roger Fry. Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant are buried next to each other in Firle churchyard.
Charleston Farmhouse and garden is open to the public and also hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year, as well as art workshops in a restored barn. The Famous Women Dinner Service, designed by Bell and Grant, is on permanent display. There is also a shop and a café.
Nr Lewes
The home that Winston Churchill loved - and you can see why. The house gives a real feeling of the man, the gardens are delightful and the views terrific. There is also a huge collection of Churchill's paintings.
NB Entrance to the house is by timed ticket - it gets busy.
Westerham
A tiny cottage in woodland was the bolt-hole of TE Lawrence, 'Lawrence of Arabia', just down the road from Bovington Camp. It includes some fascinating details of his enigmatic life. He died, and was buried, nearby in 1935.
Bovington
Coleridge Cottage - this 17th century cottage (originally two) was rented by the romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) for about 3 years between 1797 and 1799. He was visited here by his friend, William Wordsworth, and it was here that he wrote 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the interrupted/unfinished 'Kubla Khan' and other works. The National Trust has done a very good job presenting the cottage as the Coleridge family might have known it - and there's a cute garden.
Nether Stowey
Nr Bridgwater
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