Wednesday 23 July 2014

Visit to Newby Hall

I spent a lovely day yesterday at Newby Hall, with my good friends Katy and Alison.  Newby is one of our favourite places to visit and is about 2 hours drive north from us, near Ripon.  It is a lovely house and we enjoyed the tour, led by some very enthusiastic guides.  There is an amazing tapestry room, one of the only ones in the world with the tapestries which were originally designed for it, still in situ.  There are also many Chippendale pieces of furniture, again, made for the house.  There is also one of the earliest sculpture galleries, with Roman sculptures on display.  However, Newby is also known for its beautiful gardens., with a huge herbaceous border which runs down from the house to the river.
 This lily pond in on the terrace by the house.
In another part of the garden, there is a rockery/grotto area, with a picturesque arch.
 From the upper terrace, you can see into the tops of some of the trees.
 This is Sylvia's Garden, a very quiet and peaceful garden, names for the current owner's grandmother.
 Two greyhounds or whippets sit on guard at the entrance.
 The water in this fountain was lovely to listen to on such a scorchingly hot day.
 Everywhere you look there is another lovely view.
 I was taken by the colours of this beech hedge, with the sun lighting up the bright red new growth.
 Another enticing view...
 And another...
 I didn't take many photos of flowers, but this coral coloured red hot poker caught my eye.
 As did this lovely echinacea.
As has become a tradition on our visits to Newby, we stopped off for tea and cake, or scone, jam and clotted cream, in my case. As you may know, I don't like dried fruit, but as fruit scones are the only ones on offer, I just had to pick the fruit out.  I have been known to make rather a mess, but I managed to be reasonably tidy yesterday.  I didn't waste the fruit, as I donated it to a robin, a young blackbird and a chaffinch, who were waiting patiently for some crumbs. Despite the fruit, the scone was delicious!
We had a lovely day at one of our favourite places.

16 comments:

  1. What beautiful gardens these are Ellie, thank you so much for sharing your lovely pics - everything looks so restful and quiet and I do like the memorial garden especially, and the notice to visitors.
    Gosh you must have had a job on your hands picking out all that fruit, but otherwise they do look like very nice scones - and I'm sure the birds were more than happy to enjoy their feed :) Take care, and I wish you happy days, xoJoy

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    1. Thanks, Joy. You're very welcome to share my visit! It is a lovely place and the memorial garden is a very special garden within it. The scones were delicious and I'm pleased the birds could share too!
      Have a lovely rest of the week too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. What an absolutely GLORIOUS place. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks, EC. It is a beautiful place and the house fits with its surroundings very well. Most of the rooms are high ceilinged and elegant, with Regency plaster work and delicate pastel colours. I never want to come away as I love the style and feel I'd be very happy sleeping in one of the chintz bedrooms...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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    1. Thanks, Amy. The gardens are lovely and everywhere you look, there is another view, inviting you to explore further. I think I'd need a week to see everything!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. It does look like a really fabulous garden Ellie, the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon!

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    1. Thanks, Annie. It was a lovely garden and the weather really couldn't have been better (we had to go and find some shade at several points during the visit!). I love gardens which have enticing views and vistas - you just have to go and explore!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. What a gorgeous place this looks! I love big old houses and gardens-it looks like you stepped back in time-idyllic! Alison xx

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    1. Thanks, Alison. It really is a lovely place. The house and gardens complement each other so well and there were times when I half expected to see ladies in Regency or Victorian dresses enjoying the gardens too!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. That garden is so well planned, isn't it? Lots of great views!
    Beautiful.... Love from Mirjam.

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    1. Thanks, Mirjam. It does have the most lovely views - it is difficult to choose which way to explore first!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  7. Nice pictures!! A blogger on our site just reviewed it from a family point of view and loved it too :) . Seems like a lovely place to visit.

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    1. Thanks, Andy. It is a lovely place to visit and there is a lot for children to do too, with the play area and train.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  8. I'm browsing....getting to know you! I see you like visiting places I like too....beautiful beautiful photos. Cream tea!!! mmmm not going to comment on that! Just too yummy!

    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. I do enjoy visiting stately homes and gardens. The cream tea was really yummy!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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