Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum, London

OVERVIEW - Originally part of the British Museum, the collection grew so large it required a separate identity. The museum features dinosaur skeletons, fossils, human biology, earth sciences, and the ever-popular Creepy Crawlies exhibit.

The front entry

HISTORY
To understand the foundation of the Natural History Museum we must go back to the early years of the 18th century. A prominent London physician named Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) made it his life's work to collect natural curiosities from across the world. Sloane's eccentric collection of oddments ran the gamut from plant and animal remains to archaeological artifacts and human skeletons. Sloane desired that his collection remain together at his death, and created a Board of Trustees to oversee its sale to the government for the bargain price of £20,000.

A robotic T Rex roars into life in the popular Dinosaur Exhibit

In 1756 Sloane's collection was housed in Montagu House, the first home of what was to become the British Museum. Over the next century the collection was expanded and added to by further bequests, most notably that of Sir Joseph Banks (see Kew Gardens). In 1856 the natural history department of the British Museum gained its first overseer, paleontologist Richard Owen. With the help of Prime Minister William Gladstone, Owen convinced the government that more space was essential to the functioning of the collection. Land was purchased in South Kensington, and a design competition was held for the new museum buildings. A design by Captain Robert Fowke was selected as the winning entry, though Fowke died in 1867 and the actual building was carried out by architect Alfred Waterhouse. After a great deal of squabbling between curators of the various collections within the new museum, the building in South Kensington finally opened to the public in 1881. Though it was separate in fact, it was not until 1963 that the Natural History Museum was established as a body independent of the British Museum. In 1986 the Geological Museum was merged with the NHM.

THE BUILDING
The museum building is as striking as the exhibits it contains. Designed by Fowke as a cathedral of science, the museum is entered through a set of doors flanked by columns modeled on those at Fingle's Cave in Scotland. The Romanesque style interior is supported on intricately carved and decorated columns. Terra-cotta has been used as a unifying decorative material, and everywhere there are carvings of beats and plants, both imaginary and real.

"The Power Within" explores the forces that shape our earth

THE GALLERIES
The museum can be divided into several distinct areas; the Life Galleries, Earth Galleries, Wildlife Garden, and Temporary Exhibitions. Within the Life Galleries are displays dedicated to Dinosaurs, Ecology, Human Biology, Mammals, Primates, the Origin of Species, and Minerals. The Earth Galleries focus on the geological history of the earth and the solar system. Within this gallery are fascinating simulators enabling visitors to experience for themselves what it feels like to live through an earthquake or a volcanic eruption. Learn about plate tectonics and what influences climate.

The Wildlife Garden

The Wildlife Gallery is a new one acre garden space on the west lawn of the museum, where different British habitats are recreated, including marsh, ponds, oak and bluebell woods, hedgerows and grass meadows.

The museum also presents an ongoing program of Temporary Exhibits with themes ranging from artwork depicting animals to Myths and Monsters, Predators, photographic competitions, and more.

Museum of London

The Museum of London is one of the largest and most comprehensive city museums in the world. It covers ½ million years of mankind's history, embracing every aspect of London's life in 14 galleries. Artifacts and images are used to tell the story of the city.

The Museum's exhibits are arranged in chronological order from prehistoric times to the present. There's a relief map of the Thames valley, models of Old St Paul's and the White Tower in William the Conqueror's time. An AV presentation tells the story of the Great Fire in 1666 and the World War II Blitz.

Galleries include London Children with details from Punch and Judy shows to WW II gas masks designed especially for children. In Macabre London, visitors will find Roman skulls, information on the Great Plague, the Great Stone Gate that held spikes for the display of dismembered criminals, a reconstruction of Newgate Prison, and more.

Changing London investigates the centuries of change to the city and its landmarks-St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, traffic jams-that have made the city what it is today. London Entertains covers the entertainment industry from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to the Nottinghill Carnival.

Stone Age boats, the 1757 Lord Mayor's State Coach still used in the annual Lord Mayor's show, railway stations and other aspects of transport are part of the London Transport gallery. Famous Londoners from Dick Whittington to Queen Elizabeth I to Charles Dickens are portrayed in their own gallery.

In December 2001, a new gallery opens at the museum. Called World City, it illustrates the history of London from the French Revolution in 1789 to World War I in 1914. This important era in the city's growth saw it rise from under one million to over seven million people. Many objects from the museum's collections that have never been seen will be on show.

An extension of the museum will be opening in the spring of 2002 in the Docklands. Called the Museum in Docklands, it tells the story of the Thames River, the port and people involved, and encompasses historical and present day information.

There are special, changing exhibitions throughout the year that cover the gamut from historical information to present day arts. One celebrates the Festivals of Britain. Performances and special events are also presented.

The Museum is noted for its urban history collections which number more than 1½ million objects. They range from the prehistoric through Roman, Saxon, and medieval times to the present day. Costume and decorative arts, oral history, photographs, paintings, and actual objects tell the history. Toys, clothing, watches, weapons, ceramics, coins, glassware, and other accruements of civilization make up these objects. There is a large collection of Roman samian ware and metal work. Marble sculptures from the Temple of Mithras were part of the Roman materials uncovered in various building excavations in the city and form part of the collection.

For anyone interested in London's fascinating past, the Museum of London is a definitive resource not to be missed.

Kew Gardens

Three hundred acres of botanical delights grace Kew Gardens, which lies on the south bank of the Thames River between Richmond and Kew in the suburbs of south-west London. If you're a stickler for accuracy you might like to note that the proper way to refer to Kew is in the plural, i.e. Kew Gardens, not Kew Garden. This is due to the fact that centuries ago there were two estates here, Kew Estate and Richmond Estate. These estates were combined to [eventually] form the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The gardens are "Royal" because for many years the estates that now form the gardens were owned by members of Britain's royal family. King George II and Queen Caroline lived at Ormonde Lodge, on the Richmond estate. Their son and heir, Prince Frederick, leased the neighbouring Kew estate in the 1730s.

After Frederick's death in 1751 his widow Augusta began a small 9 acre botanic garden, calling on assistance from Lord Bute and architect William Chambers, who created several garden buildings, including the present Orangery, Pagoda, and Ruined Arch. Then in 1760 George III inheirited Richmond estate. George called in the popular garden architect Capability Brown to create a landscaped park. In 1772 King George also inheirited Kew estate when his mother died.

The Chinese Pagoda at Kew

Under George III, or more properly, under his unofficial director Joseph Banks, Kew Gardens flourished. Banks dispatched botanical collectors across the globe to gather rare, unusual, or simply interesting botanical specimens. Under Banks, Kew Gardens became a depository of the world's plant species and a centre of botanical research. After both Banks and George III died in 1820 the gardens fell into dsrepair. They languished for several years until they were handed over to the state in 1840. The royal family donated some surrounding land, bringing the total area of the gardens up to 200 acres.

In 1841 the first official director of the Botanical Gardens was named, so that year is generally regarded as the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Sir William Hooker was the man charged with running the gardens, and he was responsible for founding the Museum, the Department of Economic Botany, the Library, and the Herbarium.

The Palm House at Kew

In 1848 the Palm House was added, followed in 1860 by the Temperate House. Both of these huge greenhouses were the work of Decimus Burton. The Palm House is a wonder of glass and iron, and its design influenced that of other glass and metal structures during the Victorian period, including the Crystal Palace erected for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Further bequests of land led to the expansion of Kew, and it reached its current size of 300 acres in 1902.

MODERN KEW
The gardens today present an enjoyable mix of landscaped lawns, formal gardens, and greenhouses. Equally important, Kew functions as a botanical research centre and maintains the largest plant collection in the world. The various greenhouses display plants from across the world in climate controlled environments, while Kew Gardens Gallery houses art and photographs illustrating botanical themes. Queen Charlotte's Cottage (open only in summer) is a pretty summerhouse lying alongside a lake. The Chinese Pagoda is arguably Kew's most recognizable structure.

Also worth noting is Evolution House, a small glass building housing displays on the evolution of plant life on earth. The Grass Garden has over 600 varieties of grasses, and the Wood Museum explains the manufacture of paper and shows examples of inlaid wood cabinetry. Kew remains one of the world's premier public gardens.

Buckingham Palace

"I delight in Buckingham Palace", said Queen Victoria, when she moved in three weeks after ascending to the throne. She was either an optimist or hadn't discovered that the drains didn't drain, the royal apartments were ventilated through the common sewers, the servants' bells didn't ring, and there were no sinks for the chambermaids. Additionally, some doors wouldn't close, and some of the windows wouldn't open.

The façade of this internationally known palace has not always presented the appearance it does today. It was originally a townhouse built by John Sheffield, the Duke of Buckingham, and a friend of Queen Anne. In 1703 she granted him the land-at the corner of St James's Park and Green Park-on which the Palace now stands. It was first known as Buckingham House.

Part of the land was once a mulberry garden, planted by James I. Today the 40-acre secluded garden contains specimen shrubs, trees and a large lake. Eight to nine thousand people visit it during the annual garden parties.

George III liked Buckingham House, and, wanting a London residence, bought it in 1762, for £28,000. He renamed it Queen's House and gave it to his wife, Charlotte. Many of their children were born at the house.

It took George IV, on becoming King in 1820, and John Nash, Surveyor-general to George IV when he was Prince Regent, to turn the house into a sumptuous palace. Both had the experience: George IV was the instigator, and Nash the architect, of Brighton Pavilion, that monument to excessive architecture.

Parliament granted George IV £150,000 for the rebuilding. A thousand workmen were hired to face the exterior with Bath stone and add new rooms on the western side. Nash demolished the North and South wings and rebuilt them. He constructed Marble Arch as a grand entrance to the enlarged courtyard.

As work continued, Nash let his costs run away with him, and Parliament complained. Joseph Hume, an English politician and reformer fighting for financial retrenchment, said, "the Crown of England does not require such splendour. Foreign countries might indulge in frippery, but England ought to pride herself on her plainness and simplicity."

Nevertheless, elegance reigned, and the rooms, which today are known as the State and semi-State Rooms remain virtually unchanged since Nash's time.

The rooms contain much of the furniture and works of art that were originally made for Carlton House (George IV's London home when he was Prince). English Regency furniture and Sèvres porcelain vie for attention in the Green Drawing Room along with silk covered walls and a coved and gilded ceiling. Curving marble staircases and large mirrors add to the Palace decor.

The Picture Gallery, the length of two tennis courts, was designed by Nash to display paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and others. The Marble Hall, clad in Italian marble, was built by Nash as a sculpture gallery. Its 137 feet contain sculptures purchased by George IV. Among them are three groups by Antonio Canova.

Nash's extravagance can be seen in the red silk walls of the State Dining Room and the gold walls and cut glass chandeliers that dominate the White Drawing Room (look for the Royal family's secret door). Treasures in the opulent Blue Drawing Room, with its 30 fake onyx columns, include the Table of the Grand Commanders, made of Sèvres porcelain and once belonging to Napoleon.

The monarchs' thrones are located in the scarlet and gold Throne Room used for formal photographs. The thrones are placed beneath a canopy with gold capitalled pilasters on either side and are presided over by a proscenium arch supported by a pair of winged figures of Victory holding garlands.

The Music Room, on the garden front of the Palace, has seen the christening of Queen Elizabeth's children. It's also where guests are presented during a state visit and receptions are held. George IV planned it as his library.

Unfortunately, George IV died before he could move in and enjoy the remodelled building. William IV ascended to the throne in 1830. Nash was fired for his extravagance, and Edward Blore was hired in his place to finish the Palace. Work continued, but William IV disliked the place and never moved in. The bills amounted to £700,000 by the time Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837. When she moved in, Buckingham Palace became, for the first time, the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's rapidly expanding family needed nurseries. The Palace was short of bedrooms for guests. More building followed. Marble Arch was moved to the northeast corner of Hyde Park to make room for a fourth wing that turned the Palace into a quadrangle.

There wasn't a room large enough for grand entertainments, so in 1853-55, Queen Victoria ordered the Ballroom built. 122 feet long, 60 feet wide and 45 feet high, it is, today, used for many events such as the State Banquet, the Diplomatic Reception, and memorial concerts. This is the site of Investitures, where the Queen presents the recipients of British honours with their awards.

It was after Queen Victoria's death that the Palace metamorphosed into today's familiar landmark. The present graveled forecourt and the wrought iron and bronze gates were added in 1911. A memorial statue to Queen Victoria, flower gardens, and a new road layout were completed. The memorial statue is topped by the gilded figure of Victory, and Queen Victoria is surrounded by the figures of Charity, Truth and Justice. In 1913 the deteriorating stone on the east front was replaced by Sir Aston Webb with gray Portland stone.

During World War II a chapel, converted by Queen Victoria from Nash's conservatory, was bombed. Prince Philip oversaw its rebuilding as the Queen's Gallery, home to a rotating collection of art from the Royal Collection. The Gallery, currently in the process of renovation, will reopen in 2002 for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. There will be a new Doric Portico entrance in the Greek classical style and new interior spaces and galleries. For the first time Buckingham Palace will have a coffee bar. Would Queen Victoria be amused?

More than 600 rooms, including 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms comprise the castle's assets. But the "room" best known around the world is the balcony where the Royal family gathers on celebratory and solemn occasions to be seen by their subjects. The forecourt below is witness to the ceremony of the changing of the guard. In their full dress uniform of red tunic, black pants and bearskin hats, the ceremony is a magnet for tourists.

The Palace is more than a home for the Royals. It is the official administrative headquarters of the monarchy and contains the offices of their staff. It is the place where all Royal ceremonies and official banquets are held. Government ministers, top civil servants and heads of state visit to carry out their duties. More than 50,000 people visit Buckingham Palace each year, either officially or as guests. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'working from home'.

The British Museum

Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, the British Museum is the location of a national collection of science and art treasures. It first began in 1753 when Parliament purchased the collection of Sir Hans Sloane (the Cabinet of Curiosities) and a collection from Sir Robert Cotton along with Sir Robert Harley's Library. First opened to the public in 1759 in Montague House, it was later moved to its present location, being built in stages from 1823. The famous domed Reading Room was built in 1857 and is now part of the glassed-in Great Court.

The British Museum entrance

The British Museum's mandate is "to illuminate the histories of cultures for the benefit of present and future generations". Thus, the number and subject of the exhibits and galleries is vast. Ranging from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and back to pre-historic times, they highlight more than just Britain. A visit to the Museum is a visit through the centuries of mankind and what he has left behind of himself.

The British collections trace the history of Britain and cover prehistoric times, Roman Britain, medieval and later Britain, and Graphic Arts. One of the highlights of the pre-historic era is the preserved body of Lindow Man, dated the mid-1st century AD. The Stone Age collections include works of art and jewellery dating from 35,000 to 10,000 years ago. Roman Britain is typified by early Christian objects and collections of Roman coins. The history of the Roman Empire and society in Europe is included in such famous objects as the Portland vase, made of cameo-glass and dating from BC 1-AD 1.

4th to 20th century European art and archaeology collections illustrate cultures of the time and include Anglo-Saxon antiquities and medieval pottery. Items from the famous Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo burial are of particular interest. Sutton Hoo, located in East Suffolk, contained 11 barrows and the remains of a Saxon ship complete with gold and silver treasures.

British prints, drawings, and watercolours of the 16th century to the present are amassed in a large collection and include works by Constable and Turner. There are more than 3,000,000 prints and drawings dating from the 15th century kept in storage. A large reference library is a bonus. A coin collection includes a silver penny of Offa, King of Mercia. The Museum has more than 7000 items in its clock, watch, and scientific instrument collection.

European collections from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Early Celtic civilizations are represented. Some of those of note are the BC 750-450 finds from the cemetery at Hallstatt, Austria and BC 400 flagons from Lorraine in France. Gold, jewels, glass, and porcelain all document the wealth of civilizations.

Greek collections begin at the Bronze Age. Included are sculptures from the mausoleum at Halikarnassos. Possibly the most well known Greek sculptures are the Elgin collection, named after the 7th earl of Elgin who brought them from the Parthenon in Athens. They include pediments, metopes, and friezes.

The Museum can boast of the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world outside of the Cairo museum. They range from the pre-dynastic period to the Christian period and include a famous collection of mummies and coffins, jewelry, weapons, furniture, and tools. The Rosetta Stone is perhaps the most famous of all the Egyptian artefacts. It is a basalt slab with identical texts in hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek, thus unlocking the key to Egyptian hieroglyphic translation.

African collections encompass sculpture, textiles, graphic arts, and money. Near Eastern collections cover Mesopotamia, the Phoenician world, the Arabian Peninsula, and Central Asia and are some of the most inclusive collections in the world.

Aboriginal art, tools, and weapons are part of the section on Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Perhaps the most famous object is the great statue, Hoa Hakananai'a, from Easter Island.

The Department of Oriental Antiquities curates Asian material reaching back 9000 years. Sculpture from India, Chinese porcelain, bronze, and jade, and Islamic pottery (one of the world's best collections) and tiles are just a small part of the vast number of items on display. 16th century Vietnamese trade ceramics, salvaged from the seabed, are one of the department's recent acquisitions. Japanese swords, armour, metalwork, and art reflect their culture.

Today the British Museum contains one of the most comprehensive collections of art and artifacts in the world.

Big Ben

When most people heat the words "Big Ben" they immediately conjure up an image of the striking Victorian Gothic structure of the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament). Let's clear up a common misconception first; technically speaking, the name "Big Ben" does not refer to the famous tower, nor to the four huge clock faces of this London landmark; instead, it refers to the largest of the five bells inside the clock tower, whose chimes are such a familiar sound to listeners to BBC radio over the years.

The tower was begun following the disastrous fire which destroyed the old Palace of Westminster in 1834. Charles Barry was given the contract to rebuild the Palace, and his designs included a clock tower.

The Tower
The clock tower of the Palace of Westminster took 13 years to build, and was completed in 1856. The tower is 316 feet high. The spire that rises above the belfry is built with an iron frame, and it is this frame which supports the weight of the bells. A staircase rises up inside the tower, and a climb is rewarded by excellent views from the belfry level. Several small rooms are built into the lower part of the tower, including a small prison cell.

The Clocks
The cast iron frame of the clock face was designed by AW Pugin, who was responsible for much of the Gothic decorative elements of the Palace of Westminster. The dials are 23 feet in diameter and the faces themselves are not solid, but is composed of many small pieces of opal glass, assembled like a stained glass window. Several of the central pieces of glass can be removed to allow inspection of the hands from inside the clock tower. The numbers on the clock faces are each two feet high. An inscription in Latin below each clock face translates as "God save our Queen Victoria I".

At the time of its construction the clock mechanism was easily the largest in the world, and it is still among the largest today. The clock mechanism, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison, has proven to be remarkably accurate over the years, allowing small adjustments to the clock's rate to be made by placing pennies on a small shoulder of the clock's pendulum!

The Hour Bell
Big Ben - the hour bell - is said to have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Commissioner of Works, who was known for his bulk, as is the bell! The first Big Ben hour bell was complete before the tower, so the bell was hung in New Palace Yard. After repeated public ringing the bell cracked, and had to be replaced by the current bell.

Facts and figures The hour bell of Big Ben is 8 feet in diameter, weighs 13.5 tons, and was cast in 1858 by George Mears of the Whitechapel Bell foundry.

The bell had to be placed in a special wooden frame, turned on its side, and hoisted up the centre of the tower to the belfry. So heavy was Big Ben that the process took over 36 hours to complete. The bell began ringing the hours in July of 1859, but it cracked after only two months of use. Instead of recasting the bell, it was simply given a quarter turn, and a lighter hammer was used to strike the hours.

The Chimes
The first BBC radio broadcast of the Big Ben chimes was on New Year's Eve, 1923. Later, permanent microphones were placed in the tower, and the sound of Big Ben became a familiar one to listeners, assuming great significance during WWII, when the chimes became a symbol of hope and home to BBC World Service listeners around the world.

The best time to see Big Ben may be at night, when the clock faces are illuminated, as is the facade of the Palace of Westminster facing the Thames. The effect from Westminster Bridge or the far bank of the Thames can be breathtaking.

Avebury Stone Circle

I have a confession to make. Avebury is my all-time-favourite, no-holds-barred best-of-breed choice as the finest prehistoric stone circle in England. Sorry, fans of Stonehenge, your circle leaves me cold. One of the points in Avebury's favour is that you can wander in amongst the stones, which you cannot do at Stonehenge, at least for the present. So, OK, I'm prejudiced in Avebury's favour. Why?

One reason Avebury is so striking has already been mentioned - its accessibility. The site is wonderfully open, in fact, you may think it is a bit too open as you carefully scrape sheep droppings off your shoes! Be warned, sheep wander through the fields and leave reminders of their presence everywhere. But aside from accessibility, Avebury is unique in that the village of Avebury lies partly within the henge, or outer circle of stones, and a road splits the circle.

The main Avebury stone circle is roughly a quarter mile across, enclosing an area of about 28 acres, and it contains two smaller circles within it.

There is an avenue of stones leading away from the circle towards Overton Hill a mile and a half away, and it has been speculated by some archaeologists that the avenue was constructed to form the body of a snake, with the circle as the snake's head. The avenue stones alternate from tall and thin to broad and trapezoidal, leading to more speculation that they represent males and females respectively.

There is a very steep ditch and bank surrounding the stone circle. Excavation shows that the ditch was originally about 30 feet deep, with the bank an equal height. Do your math - that makes for a 60 foot tall barrier!

Avebury probably served as a religious and ceremonial centre, though what those beliefs or ceremonies were we do not know. We also don't know quite when the site was built, though the current best guess (subject to change at a moment's notice, it seems) is that it was begun in about 3000 BC.

Alexander Keiller, (heir to the marmalade dynasty of the Keiller family) performed most of the excavations at Avebury, and his work is profiled in the fine museum named after him which you will find in Avebury village. Much of the village and the circle itself are under the care of the National Trust, and they also run Avebury Manor. There is a rural museum and gift and tea shops in the village.

Avebury forms only one of numerous ancient sites in the neighborhood. Just a few miles away is the strange conical mound of Silbury Hill, across the road from West Kennet Long Barrow. In the other direction is Windmill Hill causewayed camp, the finest hilltop camp in England. All in all, Avebury and its surroundings make for an incomparable day out exploring Britain's ancient past.

Acer Glade at Westonbirt

Westonbirt Arboretum

FEATURE
There are over 17,000 numbered trees and 17 miles of paths in this excellent arboretum run by the Forestry Commission. Best in: spring for rhododendron and magnolias, and autumn for Japanese maples and fothergilla.
The Arboretum
Westonbirt is an absolute "must-see" for anyone with any interest in gardening, or even in an enjoyable stroll through lovely countryside! The arboretum is divided into two sections, the oldest plantation, closest to the parking lot and visitor centre, and a newer plantation, containing several national collections of trees (oak and Japanese maple among them).
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Westonbirt, apart from the wide variety of trees and plants on view, is the way that public access is arranged. You can choose to travel by way of the gravelled footpaths, which meander slowly throughout the arboretum, or strike off on wide, grassed avenues that cut directly across the plantations. The oldest plantation is more level, while the newer plantation does call for a little more strenuous use of leg muscles to follow the ups and downs of the landscape!
Acer Glade
Perhaps the most famous corner of Westonbirt is Acer Glade, where the autumn colours can be truly spectacular. Best seen in mid-October for bright colours, Acer Glade is enjoyable year round.

Broad Drive, Westonbirt

The arboretum is well provided with benches, so you can relax and soak in the lovely surroundings. There are also cafes and an interpretive centre where various visitor programs are run throughout the year. Recent events include willow basket making, a Christmas Craft Fair, conker championships, and free guided walks led by volunteer guides from the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.

Oxford Botanic Gardens

The Oxford Botanic Gardens began life as the Physic Gardens. It was founded in 1621 by Henry Danvers, later Earl of Danby, for the study of medicinal plants. Because of its avowed medical purpose, the garden was originally under the auspices of the Faculty of Medicine.

The Physic Garden cost the enormous sum of £5000 when it was first built on the site of the former medieval Jewish cemetery. Much of that sum went on the walls which enclosed the original garden, and comparatively little was left for plants! Wood from the pear trees planted by Henry Danvers were later used to make the chair of the Professor of Botany.

One of the Botanic Garden's triumphs is the Oxford ragwort, first propagated here from seeds originating on Mt. Etna. The plant is now common throughout England.

The Botanic Gardens are the oldest botanic garden in Britain. Aside from the original beds of herbs and medicinal plants the gardens now sport a series of glasshouses devoted to Tropical Lilies, Arid zone plants, and Palms. Herbaceous borders, a rock garden, and bog garden complete this peaceful enclave on the banks of the Cherwell.

The gardens have undergone an extensive program of renovation and improvements over the past several years, and remain a wonderfully peaceful corner of Oxford, and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Kiftsgate Gardens

Kiftsgate Gardens

Next-door neighbour to the more well-known Hidcote, this 20th century garden is blessed with colour and an informal atmosphere. The inspiration for Kiftsgate came from Heather Muir, who, along with her husband JB Muir, bought the manor in 1917.

Mrs. Muir was famous for her work with shrub roses, and developed several new varieties, including the Kiftsgate rose (Rosa filipes). Pride of place at Kiftsgate must go to the rose garden, lovingly bounded by beech hedges.

Another innovative feature of Kiftsgate is the Mediterranean garden, where Mrs. Muir took advantage of the exposed location and good drainage to plant species that are startling to find in this area of England, including cistus, phlomis, ceanthus, and other tender plants. There are an enjoyable variety of other garden areas, including a White Sunken Garden, Water Garden, Yellow Border, and Summer House.

Kiftsgate Gardens

The garden siting is arguably more attractive than next-door Hidcote, with excellent views over the Vale of Evesham from the hillside site. The sunken garden is at its best when the the bulbs bloom in spring, but the roses peak in June and July. There are plantings of large hydrangea, Japanese maples, and a delightful bluebell wood.

The manor of Kiftsgate was built in 1887-91 by Sydney Graves Hamilton, owner of the manor of Mickleton. Hamilton took the unusual step of removing the Georgian facade of Mickleton and transporting it up the hill to his new house at Kiftsgate, with the aide of a purpose-built light railway. An avenue of elm trees used to run between the two manors, but this is unfortunately now gone, a victim of elm disease.

Hidcote Manor Gardens

Hidcote Manor Gardens

One of the truly great English gardens, created in Arts and Crafts style by Major Lawrence Johnston as a series of outdoor "rooms", each with its own character, separated by hedges and walls. The garden is reknown for its rare trees and shrubs, herbaceous borders and unusual plants from across the globe. The outdoor "rooms" are planted with species that bloom at diferent times of the year, making Hidcote a year-round pleasure.

What is an Arts and Crafts style garden?

The Arts and Crafts movement, popularised by John Ruskin and William Morris among others, can be loosely characterised as a movement back to the values of individual craftsmanship. In garden design this style is characterised by clearly defined areas formed by strong boundaries and geometrical beds near the house and wild gardens further out.

History
Major Johnson began his remarkable gardens at Hidcote in 1907, and continued expanding and improving the site over the course of the next 40 years. When he bought the manor at Hidcote with his mother, there was no garden at all on the site, just a few mature trees.

Topiary at Hidcote Manor Gardens

In some ways Johnson was influenced by French design, but for the most part his ideas were entirely original. He gathered many rare plants in Africa and China, but many more were sent to him by fellow gardening enthusiasts from around the world. In 1948 Johnson retired to France and made over the estate at Hidcote to the National Trust. Johnson died in France in 1958.

The Gardens
Hidcote gardens cover 10.5 acres of gently sloping ground. Hedges mainly composed of holly, beech, and yew are used to define a series of garden rooms planted with uniquely different species. At the edges of the garden are carefully planned vistas looking out over the Vale of Evesham. The focal point of the garden is the gazebo, at the intersection of axes running north-south and east-west. Apart from the centrally-located gazebo, one of the most notable features is the large circular pool, edged with white roses. Attractive topiary hedges also act as borders for garden compartments.

Please note that Hidcote is an extremely popular destination for avid gardeners (and tour buses!). On a fine day in summer, particularly on weekends, Hidcote can become very crowded.

Upton House

Summary
A quiet 17th century house acting as the showpiece setting for a spectacular collection of paintings and ceramics, with works by Breughel, El Greco, and Holbein. Of particular note are the beautiful terraced gardens, leading down to an 18th century lake.

The House
Upton House was begun in 1695, and the external appearance of the main house is much as it appeared then. It is approached by a long tree-lined drive leading to a small courtyard where the front entry presents a classical outline. It is when you enter the house that you see the major transition at Upton House, for the interiors were heavily remodelled in the 1930s in Art Deco style by the Bearsted family, who made their money with the Shell Oil company.

House Highlights include:

Old Masters Collection
The jewel in the crown of Upton House is the quite superlative collection of Old Master paintings, with both British and European artists represented. These include works by Hogarth, Stubbs, Romney, Canaletto, Brueghel and El Greco. Many are housed on the lower floors, in very simple surroundings, so that the visitor is not distracted from the art. The effect is in some ways more reminiscent of a museum than a stately home, but this is no bad thing, for the superb paintings are well worth appreciation for their own merits.

Porcelain collection
The Bearsted family had interests beyond art; they also collected china, and Upton House displays superb Derby and Chelsea figurines in a range of fine display cabinets. In addition to these English figurines there is also an excellent collection of French Sevres porcelain.

Shell Oil memorabilia collection
Located on the top floor is this fascinating collection of Shell Oil advertising posters and other memorabilia of decades of motoring. Lord Bearsted was chairman of the powerful oil company for many yers, and was responsible for commissioning many of the advertising posters on display.

Art Deco bathroom
Most striking of the interior decoration is reserved for the astonishing Art Deco bathroom, the work of Lady Bearsted, on the first floor. This red and silver bathroom is one of the more astonishing rooms I've ever seen in a historic house. Though not to everyone's taste, it gives a glimpse into the ideals of the Art Deco movement, and remains one of the more memorable decorating schemes I have witnessed.

The Gardens
There are two garden areas at Upton House; the first is composed of level lawns to the rear (south) aspect, stretching away to a area of informal borders bounding a small, formal pool. Just beyond the pool is a ha-ha, a deep drop to walled, terraced gardens, with turf paths running across the hillside, and a winding stair leading down to a large lake at the bottom of the hill. The terraces are further divided into smaller gardens, with a rose garden, a small secret garden, and vegetable garden among other highlights. The overall effect is superb, making the terraces and pool a delight to stroll about.

Upton House for Families
Probably not the most appealing place for children to visit; the major focus of the house interior is the large art and porcelain collections, which most children would find a bit tedious. The lawns and gardens offer plenty of space to roam around, but there are not really any facilities specifically for the younger generation.

Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, is steeped in tradition and royal connections. The home of Lord and Lady Ashcombe, the manor of Sudeley once belonged to King Ethelred the Unready. But Ethelred was only the first of a long series of monarchs and other royalty to visit Sudeley. Here Queen Katherine Parr lived and died. She is buried in the lovely chapel within the grounds that bears her name. Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Charles I, all stayed here. But the history of Sudeley is more interesting than just a collection of royal visitors.
HISTORY
The first mention of the Sudeley estate is in a 10th century charter. At that time it was part of a larger estate at Hawling. It later passed to Ethelred, who kept a royal deer park in the oak woods there. Remains of the deer park boundaries can be seen today, though nothing of Ethelred's manor has survived.
Ethelred granted Sudeley to Goda, sister of Edward the Confessor. It was Goda who prevented Sudeley from being confiscated after the Norman invasion, as she was distantly related to William of Normandy. Her descendents held Sudeley through the early Norman period until 1368 when the property passed to William Boteler. It was Boteler's descendant Thomas Boteler who was created the first Baron Sudeley in 1441. Thomas Boteler was a successful admiral who served under Henry V and Henry VI in the wars against France. With the riches he acquired from his service, Boteler rebuilt Sudeley into a comfortable country house.

The church at Sudeley Castle

Much of the building work begun by Thomas Boteler can still be appreciated today, including the Tithe Barn, St. Mary's Church, and the Banqueting Hall. Boteler also built Portmare Tower, said to be named after a captured French Admiral whose ransom money paid for the tower's construction.
The powerful Boteler was forced to sell Sudeley to Edward IV when that Yorkist monarch ascended the throne. In 1469 Edward granted Sudeley to his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III). Richard later traded Sudeley back to the king in exchange for Richmond Castle. The castle was later owned by Jasper Tudor before reverting to the crown. Henry VIII seems to have neglected Sudeley, though he did visit here in 1532 with Anne Boleyn.
Edward VI gave Sudeley to his uncle, Thomas Seymour, and Seymour promptly married Edward's step-mother, Queen Katherine Parr. Seymour (now Lord of Sudeley) came to Sudeley with Katherine Parr in 1548, but their brief stay ended in tragedy when Katherine died in childbirth the following year. She was buried in the chapel with Lady Jane Grey acting as Chief Mourner. Lady Grey stayed at Sudeley until her marriage and subsequent 9 days on the throne.
Mementoes of Katherine Parr are featured at Sudeley, including a portrait and a love letter written by her to Thomas Seymour. She rests below a marble tomb in designed by Sir Gilbert Scott.
Elizabeth I is known to have visied Sudeley on three separate occassions, when she was lavishly entertained in the Banqueting Hall. The robe worn by Elizabeth at her christening is on display in the Castle.
THE CIVIL WAR
During the Civil War the 6th Lord Chandos of Sudeley allied himself with the royalist cause and allowed the castle to be used by Prince Rupert, commander of the king's forces, as his command post. Charles I himself stayed here after his failed attempt to take Gloucester. The castle was taken briefly by Parliamentary forces, who plundered the house and wrecked havoc on the estate.
After the Roundheads left, the king once again took control. An amusing - and perhaps apocryphal - tale is told that King Charles was supposed to lead a cavalry charge against his foe. The troops were ready, but no king was to be found. Prince Rupert went in search of Charles at Sudeley, only to find the king calmly playing picquet!
The castle was taken again by Parliament in 1644 after a concerted attack. The Octagon Tower still displays the marks of cannon balls used in the assault. Although Lord Chandos was allowed to ransom Sudeley after the Civil War, it was slighted (made undefendable) by Parliament in 1649. Chandos himself died of smallpox in 1655.
The slighting of Sudeley destroyed much of the old house. The roof was removed and the buildings left at the mercy of the elements. For two hundred years the castle and chapel were left to rot. Local people used stone from Sudeley for their own building projects. King George II visited Sudeley in 1788 to see the ruins - and promptly fell down a flight of stairs!
RESTORATION
In the early 19th century the castles was used as a stable and pub. Finally the house and estate were purchased by the brothers John and William Dent, and it is to their intervention that we owe the present Sudeley Castle. The Dents called in architect Sir Gilbert Scott to restore the chapel, they stengthened the walls and restored the interior of large sections of the castle. The final restoration was carried out by the remarkable Lady Emma Dent, who, over a span of 45 years at Sudeley managed to fill the interior with fine art and objects associated with the long history of the estate.
Some of the treasures on display at Sudeley include paintings by Rubens, Van Dyke, and JMW Turner, Civil War memorabilia, Tudor miniatures, and Jabobean embroidery. William Morris stained glass windows highlight the staircase. In the Rupert Room is a bed believed to have been made for Charles I. The Lace Bedroom features a canopy made by Anne Boleyn for her daughter Elizabeth.
THE GARDENS
There is more to Sudeley Castle than the superb interiors and the ruined walls! The castle is surrounded by very enjoyable landscaped gardens, primarily the result of the 19th century restoration. The Queen's Garden is a model of the original Tudor parterre, and is designed to look as it would have during the time of Katherine Parr. The gardens boast over 100 varieties of old roses, and a well-stocked garen centre is attached to the castle. Massive yew hedges give shape to the gardens.
To the north-west stand the impressive remains of the imposing medieval tithe barn, destroyed in the Civil War.
In summary, Sudeley is a wonderfully atmospheric place to visit, and makes for a very enjoyable day out. I've had the pleasure of visiting on numerous occasions and always find it enjoyable. For a selection of photos from a recent trip, see our .

Snowshill Manor

Summary
A Tudor manor house of Cotswold stone, Snowshill houses Charles Paget Wade's collections of design and craftsmanship.

The House
Snowshill is a typically charming Cotswold manor, built in the Tudor period, but based on an even earlier medieval monastery. The manor now boasts a Georgian front on one side of the exterior.

The appeal of Snowshill is not in the architecture but the interior furnishings. Within the house is a maze of rooms crammed full of the decidedly eclectic (and eccentric) collections of Charles Paget Wade, who rebuilt the ruined manor beginning in 1919.

Wade spent a lifetime acquiring items of the highest workmanship and design quality from around the world, in accord with his Arts and Crafts Movement philosophy of the value of the individual artisan.

Several guests have reported seeing a ghost at Snowshill. The spectre is that of a monk, presumably one who lived here when the house served as part of a monastery before the Reformation.

It is almost impossible to categorize the collection at Snowshill. Cheek by jowl are bicycles, clocks, toys, musical instruments, masks, spinning wheels, weaving and spinning tools, Japanese armour, and on and on. All items are examples of the finest craftsmanship.

In addition there is a very enjoyable Arts and Crafts style garden composed of distinct garden rooms with an emphasis on blue and purple colours in the planting. This emphasis is accentuated by the number of garden ornaments painted "Wade blue" to accent the plantings.

Mr. Wade did not live in the house himself, preferring the peculiar cottage in the garden. One story goes that he took refuge in the cottage after being unnerved by the ghostly monk in the main house. Of course it could also be the case that the house was simply too full of his collections to allow for habitation.

The most unusual feature of the cottage is the galleried bedroom, which can only be reached by an outside stair. One note for people considering a visit to Snowshill; the manor is reached by a 10 minute walk along a path with undulations. A buggy is available for those who require assistance with the path. Snowshill is now administered by the National Trust.

Location
Snowshill, 3 m S Broadway, Worcestershire, off A44.

Lacock Abbey

It is hard, if not impossible, to select any one place as the birthplace of photography, but Lacock Abbey, nestled in water meadows beside the meandering River Avon, comes as close any. It was here in the early 1830s that William Fox-Talbot performed his experiments into the properties of light, and it was here that Fox-Talbot took his first "photograph", a rather unremarkable composition of an oriel window, The window can be seen, looking much the same as it did when posing for its history-making photo.

Lacock began life as an Augustinian nunnery, and many of the underpinnings of the house show its monastic origins. It was the very last religious house disbanded during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.

You can walk the (rather chilly) cloister surrounding a green square, and delve into the old chapter house and warming room. This part of the house tour is bleak, if interesting for the glimpse it provides into the lives of the nuns who made Lacock their home for three centuries.

Rather more comfortable are the "modern" Tudor rooms, begun by Sir William Sharington in 1539. Sharington was a bit of a scoundrel, and nearly lost his life when it came to light that he had been involved in debasing coins. When Sherington took over Lacock he destroyed the church, and built his new house out of the nun's dormitory, refectory, and ranges.

The most remarkable of the interior furnishings is a massive stone table in the tower strong room. The table is supported by leering satyrs while the Sherington scorpions gambol about the base.

The hall is notable for the whimsical terracotta statues decorating niches around its perimeter. These were commissioned by John Ivory Talbot in 1754 as part of his attempt to transform the hall into a mock-Gothic fantasy. Judge for yourself the aesthetic success of his efforts.

Lacock is worth visiting as much for the village that surrounds it as for the house. The entire village has been purchased by the National Trust, and preserved intact from the ravages of modern civilization.Here you will find no television aerials or other blatant signs of the modern world.

It is easy to imagine yourself transported back several centuries in time as you walk through this relaxed village. The cottages are built of wonderful honey-toned Cotswold stone, and the whole village exudes an aura of charm and relaxed timelessness. Movie-makers have recognized its charms, and Lacock was featured in the recent film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

There is an excellent museum of photography at the gates of the Abbey, and a fine stone tithe barn in a nearby alley. Lacock boasts several good bed and breakfasts and pubs. It is a popular destination for tour buses, but overall, Lacock Abbey repays a visit many times over. Highly recommended.

Dyrham Park

Summary
Begun 1692 on older foundations by William Blathwayte, Secretary of State to William III. Dyrham is an odd mix of French and Italianate styles with a large hall bestrewn with portraits. Wood paneling, a state bed, and an extensive collection of Dutch paintings and furnishings complete this classic English stately home.

The House
Dyrham was designed in two stages on the remains of a Tudor house. The first stage, designed by Samuel Hauduroy in French style, is best seen on the west front, facing the garden. Here the efect is understated, with two stories, and a central balcony. But Blathwayte's career was in the ascendancy, and by 1698 he could afford to hire William Talman, assistant to Sir Christopher Wren to design the east front. Talman's work is reminiscent of an Italian palace, with a rusticated lower floor supporting two further stories, and a piano nobile on the first floor.

Blathwayte was much taken with Dutch art and style, and had the wherewithal to indulge in his passion. Dyrham became a showcase for Dutch decorative arts, including furniture, paintings, and delftware. The interior rooms are arranged around a high hall, the only remaining part of the original Tudor house. The panelling of the rooms is superb; a mix of lustrous walnut and cedar, with painted panels.

The Park and Gardens
The extensive formal gardens laid out at the time Dyrham was built must have been quite remarkable; excavations have shown traces of striking water features, including fountains, a canal, and a jet rising 20 feet above a mound in front of the house. There was also a cascade comprising 224 separate steps, said to be second only to that at Chatsworth House.

However, styles change, and by the late 18th century these formal garden features were no longer considered the height of fashion; the gardens were made over in the more informal style then prevalent, and many of the water features filled in. Humphrey Repton and Charles Masters laid out a new park, comprising gentle vistas and groupings of trees and shrubs.

The area around Dyrham Park shows traces of Iron Age or Roman field systems, and there are remains of a hill fort at Hinton , just to the north of Dyrham.

Dyrham Park was used as the setting for the film Remains of the Day.

Buscot Park

Summary
A late 18th-century neo-classical house, set in lovely landscape gardens and parkland. Within the house, owned by the National Trust but administered by Lord Faringdon, are displayed fine furniture and art of the very highest order, including the Faringdon Collection, a superlative collection of Old Master paintings and Pre-Raphaelite artwork. In the grounds is a lovely 20th century water garden composed of canals and classical bridges.

The House
Buscot house was built in 1779 by Edward Loveden Loveden, using the services of architect James Darley. Darley built in the then popular Palladian style, drawing on Italian influence to create a building that is surprisingly understated yet elegant in appearance. The south frontage looks out across parkland, and the north offers magnificent views across a 20 acre lake.

Loveden was an interesting character, who earned the moniker 'Old Father Thames' for his role in improving navigation upon the River Thames. His work was largely tinged with self interest, for the fees from vessels using Buscot Lock earned him a hefty income. Despite this income, and further wealth accrued from marriage to three wealthy heiresses, Loveden was heavily in debt, partly because of the money he spent on Buscot Park.

Buscot eventually passed to the Henderson family, in the person of Alexander Henderson, a financier who was later made the 1st Lord Farngdon. The house is still in the Henderson family, though now owned by the National Trust.

The house interior is magnificently ornate, with classical decorative elements and gilding throughout. Pride of place in the interior goes to The Faringdon Collection. This is largely the work of Gavin Henderson, grandson of the 1st Lord Faringdon, who was an avid art collector. Henderson amassed a superlative collection of paintings, including works by Rembrandt, Joshua Reynolds, Rubens, and Edward Burne-Jones, among many others. This artwork was augmented with a 19th and 20th century British paintings and drawings, making the Faringdon Collection one of the finest in Britain.

Heritage Highlight

In 1859 Buscot was purchased by Robert Campbell. Campbells eldest daughter, Florence, married Charles Bravo. In 1876 Bravo died of antimony poisoning, and Florence was charged with his murder. The court case that followed was one of the most sensational of the Victorian period, with revelations of Florence's illicit affair with a prominent physician. After 5 weeks of courtroom drama the jury was unable to reach a find sufficient evidence to name a murderer, and Florence was released. The case has been the subject of numerous books, including one by mystery writer Agatha Christie, and much speculation.

The Gardens
There are several distinct gardens at Buscot. The earliest gardens were begun just as the house was being finished. The design was English landscape garden with the 20 acre lake being the most prominent feature. A classical bridge was built at the far end of the lake to provide a focal point.

The most prominent is the 20th century water gardens, one of the finest in England, laid out on a sloping lawn below the 18th century stately home. This is the work of Harold Peto, who was greatly influenced by Italian Renaissance design. Peto joined the north terrace, where the house was built, to the lake, using a series of small canals crossed by footbridges. Beside the canals are garden rooms formed by clipped hedges. The effect is surprisingly peaceful; the symmetry of the formal canals softened by the greenery. There are classical garden ornaments at every turn, and a variety of flowering plants and shrubs providing colour and shelter.

There is also an extensive landscape garden, formal Italianate gardens, and modern walled gardens.

Buscot for Families
The National Trust does offer a children's quiz for the house interior. Beyond that, there is plenty of open space outside in the parks and gardens for children to run around, but no special children's amenities. Our children, aged 5 and 11, really enjoyed the water gardens, especially the small footbridges across the canals. They also enjoyed a swinging garden seat in the lower gardens.

Broughton Castle

Summary
The family seat of the Fiennes family since 1377, Broughton Castle is a fortified manor house surrounded by a wide moat, and set in idyllic parkland.

History
Broughton Castle was built by Sir John de Broughton in 1300 at this peaceful location where the confluence of three streams created a natural site for a moated manor. The house was sold in 1377 to William Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and one of the most powerful men in medieval England. A subsequent Wykeham married into the Fiennes family, in whose hands the castle still rests.

The original house, of which much still remains, was remodeled extensively in 1554 and again in the 17th and 19th centuries. The original house was crenellated (battlements were added) by Sir Thomas Wykeham in 1406. Beginning in 1550 Richard Fiennes transformed the medieval manor into the Tudor house that you see today. Sir Richard added the west wing, with the Great Parlour and the Oak Room. It was left to Sir Richard's son, also named Richard, to complete the Great Parlour with the addition of the quite wonderful plaster ceiling.

The great drama in the history of Broughton Castle was to follow in the 17th century. Sir William Fiennes was one of the leading activists against Charles I. He allowed Broughton to be used as a meeting place for those plotting against the king, and later raised troops to fight against the king at the Battle of Edgehill in 1642. The battle was lost, and Royalist troops later besieged the castle, overcoming the defenders and occupying the castle for a time.

Broughton fell into decay in the 19th century, but was eventually rescued from a descent into decrepitude by Frederick Fiennes, 16th Lord Saye and Sele, who brought in prominent Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott to rescue Broughton.

Moviegoers will recognize Broughton Castle from the blockbuster film Shakespeare in Love (1998). It was also featured in The Madness of King George (1994), Three Men and a Little Lady (1990), and The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982).

Visiting Broughton Castle - Highlights

The Gatehouse and Moat
The castle is approached over a bridge across the moat and through the imposing crenellated Gatehouse, built in 1405 by Sir Thomas Wykeham. The moat itself is six feet deep and encircles an area of 3 acres. Pass through the gatehouse and enter the courtyard. To your left is the shop and tea room, and ahead across an expanse of lawn is the Tudor frontage of Broughton Castle.

Great Hall
The Great Hall incorporates the original hall built in 1300. Above the fireplace in the Great Hall is a portrait of William of Wykeham, copied from an original portrait of c 1400. About the hall are arranged suits of armour in high niches, while swords and guns, halberds, pikes, and other weapons (most medieval) from around the world hang upon the wall. The ceiling is ornately plastered with large pendants hanging down in 18th century style. A passage beside the entry leads to ...

Dining Room
Superb "Double linen fold" paneling rings this rectangular chamber, which was originally the undercroft of the medieval house. To the left of the main window the paneling has been carved into a depiction of Broughton Castle itself, beside the likenesses of two sheep, and indication of the source of the family's wealth.

From the Dining Room the Groined Passage leads to stairs to the first floor. The passage is worth taking your time over, as it features some very fine medieval vaulting with fancifully caved corbel heads supporting the vaulting. .

The Long Gallery
The stairs from the Groined Passage on the ground floor lead to the Long Gallery. This was a common feature in Tudor manor houses, being a place where you could exercise on days when the weather did not permit you go outside. It was also a place to showcase family portraits and art objects. At one end of the Long Gallery is...

Queen Anne's Room
So named because Queen Anne of Denmark, wife of James I, slept here in 1604. A contemporary portrait of the queen hangs above the fireplace. The four poster bed is 18th century Hepplewhite, and the Chinese silk bed covers date from the same period. A small hagioscope (window with space to kneel and observe the interior of a church) in the corner of the room looks down into the family chapel. The chapel was consecrated in 1337, and the tiles and the altar are also early 14th century.

The Kings Room
Two kings have stayed in this room; King James I in 1604 and Edward VII in 1901. Hand painted 18th century Chinese wallpaper graces the chamber as well as the small antechamber leading off the main room. The ornate fireplace is in the French style and dates to 1554. The richly carved stucco overmantle depicts a scene from the works of the Roman poet Ovid, with dryads dancing about an oak tree.

The Great Parlour
At the opposite end of the Long Gallery from Queen Anne's Room is the Great Parlour. The most striking feature of this room is the quite remarkable plastered ceiling. One end of the ceiling shows the date 1559, and the other has the initials of Richard and Elizabeth Fiennes. The wallpaper has been designed to resemble leather. Two Coronation chairs can be found here; from the coronations of George V and Elizabeth II. The chairs were used during the coronation ceremony and then purchased by Lord Saye and Sele as mementoes of the occasions. In one corner of the room is the Coronation Robe worn by Lord Saye and Sele to the coronation of Elizabeth . Family mementoes are dotted about the chamber, including a top hat given to Cecil Fiennes in 1859 for dismissing three batsmen with successive balls while playing cricket. This is one of the earliest known cases of a cricket "hat trick".

Now take the stairs up to ...

The Council Chamber
Used in the 1630s for secret meetings by William Fiennes and his friends plotting against King Charles I. Sir William was a founder of the Providence Island Company , whose avowed purpose was to encourage settlement in the Caribbean. Fiennes and his associates used the Providence Island Company as a cover for their illicit meeting to organize resistance against Charles I. Fiennes and men like Pym, Hampden, Lord Warwick, Lord Brooke, and Sir Henry Vane met in what they called "the room that hath no ears", which is believed to be this chamber.

In the centre of the chamber is a small table upon which are several cannon balls. These were found in the moat in 1768 and are believed to have come from the siege of Broughton Castle by Royalist troops following the Battle of Edgehill in October 1642. The Royalists eventually forced the castle defenders to surrender.

Descend once more to the ground floor and the ...

Oak Room
The Oak Room is built upon the foundations of the 14th century kitchens. This chamber is named for the oak paneling that covers much of the wall area. The most notable aspect of the Oak Room is the ornate porch, a very unusual interior feature. Above the porch is the Latin inscription 'Quod olim fuit meminisse minime iuvat' (there is no pleasure in the memory of the past). It seems likely that this inscription was added by William, the 8th Lord Saye and Sele, upon the restoration of the monarchy. Perhaps Sir William intended to draw a line under his family's past support for Parliament during the Civil War, and show appropriate gratitude to King Charles II for pardoning the family upon his return to the throne.

Gardens and Grounds
The gardens at Broughton are a lovely mix of formal and informal. The formal part is the Ladies Garden at the rear of the house, enclosed by low walls. This garden of low hedges and gravelled walks was built upon the site of the 16th century kitchens. The roses are a particularly lovely aspect of this garden, and are at their best in July.

Church
The parish church of St Mary's stands only a few yards from the moat at Broughton Castle. It is well worth a visit, for the elaborate family tombs of the Wykeham and Fiennes family who are buried here, as well as the quite lovely medieval wall paintings. These latter, though reasonable well preserved, pale in splendour beside the richly painted tomb of Sir John de Broughton, founder of the castle (d. 1315). Sir John's tomb, on the south wall of the south aisle, is quite remarkable for its rich ornamentation.