A Wonderful Day Out - Part I, Eastnor Castle, Near Malvern

 It was a long day out yesterday, as we went to both Eastnor Castle and, 25 miles across country, Lower Brockhampton Manor, which Keith and I went to once we'd moved here.  I also popped into Doughty's as we were going past Hereford, and got a pattern for a dress for Rosie, and some fabric to bind the Baltimore quilt.

Eastnor Castle - we have driven past and near so many times down the years as it's just off the Malvern road - did not disappoint, and I only wish that Keith and I had visited it after going to Malvern Fleamarket, but we were always bushed after walking miles round the Flea.

This was a late-built castle (1811 - 1820) and built for John Cocks, 1st Earl Somers, overlooking the somnolent Herefordshire countryside and the site of the former house there, now under a large lake.  He employed John Smirke, the architect the British Museum, and Augustin Pugin carried out later improvements and it certainly had a feel of his designs.

There were many suits of armour on the walls and some absolutely amazing pieces of furniture.

This was certainly a full-height room!

A very unusual Broadsword with a wavy edge, this is called a Flamberge. The wavy pattern gave a better cutting edge.

What a wonderful exhibition.  Keith would have loved this and the multi-locked Armada chest.  Keith had to be talked out of buying one at auction once (fortunately the price decided this) - my goodness, it would have weighed an arm and a leg!, but would have looked the part at our old farmhouse.

Keith would have loved these displays.

The dining room with a wonderful rosewood extending dining table.

How's that for a posh ceiling?

These beautiful pieces were commissioned from Wedgewood, hence the puce colourway, which is what they use.  So pretty.

Top this for a sitting room.  No surprise that it was designed by Pugin.

The fan-vaulting and that fireplace . . . Nothing like that in my house, but think of all the dusting . . .

The Library with thousands of books, many leather-bound.

This wonderful dolls house was found in the cellar - abandoned when its owner discovered PONIES!!

How's THAT for a mirror?  It was enormous and the surround all amazingly carved much in the style of Grinling Gibbons.

Above and below: there were 4 or 6 of these amazing benches, with their painted leather seats and incredible dragon carvings.

I imagine this is the Red Bedroom.

A stunning inlaid chair featuring an angel - never seen that design before.

Keith would have LOVED the furniture - so many stunning pieces, like this inlaid chest of drawers.

A very grand 4 poster.

Very Victorian Gothic.

Part of a fabulous painting by Lionel Edwards (one of my favourite horse artists, along with Munnings and Lucy Kemp-Welch.)  It is a painting of the MFH of the Hursley Hunt (in Hampshire - I used to Instruct for the Hursley branch of the Pony Club).