Belton House

A few weeks ago we visited Belton House in Lincolnshire, a National Trust property, we had a lovely day - we originally went so we could visit the old stables which they are renovating - the 'hard hat' tour, but that was off that day as they didn't have enough volunteers to do it, so instead we booked on the 'below stairs' tour which lasted about 1hr and took you through all the Servants quarters/kitchens/pantry etc. Very interesting, in fact I think I enjoyed this more than going round the house - the rooms were beautiful and the Gardens were lovely, especially the Glass house.

This is a picture I took in the Italian garden of the lions head water spout, had a little play with a whimsical digi kit 'Chocolate Lime'

The grounds were HUGE with plenty of sheep (we saw) and Deer (we didn't). Dogs are allowed in the grounds/estate so we will go back and find a longish walk to do..... PLUS its got a second hand book shop!!!

Calke Abbey

Thursday saw us visiting Calke Abbey, one of my favourite places. Not visited in over a year so it was time to go back! Left the pooches at home so we could wander round the house and gardens - you can take dogs in the estate grounds.

Had a lovely time, this year its all about Hidden Calke, so from 11 - 1215 each morning, they open the 'rooms' in which the last occupants lived in after abandoning the rest of the House, mainly 4 rooms - dining room, study, kitchen and a lounge. These are on the ground floor, the bedrooms and the bathrooms being at the top of the house so they still had a way too walk to go to bed! It was lovely to see how it 'was' lived in before turning it over to National Trust is n 1985 (I think).

After the 'apartments' we had a lovely walk round the estate to Staunton Herald Resevoir and back, took lunch then walked round the rest of the House and the gardens. Wonderful day out even if it rained for most of it.

Some people say its sad to see that state of it and why don't the NT do it up, but I think its hauntingly beautiful in all its decay, a life once lived allowed to rest for evermore.