Sezincote is completely unexpected. After pulling off the main road and driving along a narrow oak lined lane, out of the landscape pops an onion shaped dome. A pleasant surprise and quite a unique one in this part of the world – for this is England. You would be forgiven for thinking you had travelled […]
This Grade I listed beauty lies in the idyllic village of Ticknall in the Derbyshire countryside. Formerly the site of an Augustinian priory in the 12th century, the present building that is Calke Abbey, did not begin life until 1701. The house was owned by the Harpur family since 1622 until they handed it over […]
Rome is one of my favourite cities. Bursting with life. Love, laughter, family and food. All the things I hold dearest. We’ve been to this wonderful city a handful of times now and have very much fallen in love with it. Particularly with the food. So much so that in November we travelled back once […]
I have been coming to Elvaston Castle for as long as I can remember. From when I was first born my mum would take me on walks here. As soon as I could walk and run, I was playing hide and seek being trees in the gardens. I have many fond memories here. Elvaston Castle […]
Renishaw Hall. An intricately beautiful house on the northern border of Derbyshire, sat perched overlooking the most wondrous Italianate gardens and a water lilly filled lake below. Renishaw Hall has been home to the Sitwell family for four centuries and is still lived in by the family to this day. The current owner is Alexandra Sitwell, […]
I know I have written about Haddon Hall before but I love this place so much that I thought I would share some more photos and another write-up. Haddon Hall has been heralded a gem, named by many as one of the most enchanting houses in England. There is no arguing on both accounts. […]
Back in June we took a little road trip. The sun was shining once again and beckoned us to spend a day outdoors. We drove to the nearby county of Warwickshire and home to one of only two surviving examples of a medieval moated manor house here in the UK. Baddesley Clinton. I can’t help […]
One thing that the UK do well are country houses with country gardens. We are blessed with some absolutely gorgeous homes, many of them owned and maintained by the National Trust and open for all to visit and enjoy. It’s always a pleasure getting to visit another one of their stunning properties and that has […]
Living in Derbyshire, I am spoiled for beautiful locations to spend a morning exploring. I can’t think of anywhere better to pay a visit than my favourite of all English country houses, Haddon Hall. Especially on a warm, sunny spring day. Haddon Hall is as perfectly preserved a medieval manor house as you will find […]
In the heart of England lies the Peak District, made up vastly by the county of Derbyshire. My home. In my opinion one of the most beautiful of counties, obviously I am a little biased but when the likes of Jane Austen and the Bronte’s agree then it becomes a difficult point to argue. Derbyshire […]