11 May Wimpole Estate

Since we have wheels, we're taking advantage of them by visiting another National Trust property, Wimpole Estate, which is about 5 miles from the cottage. The Trust describes it as

"A living working estate, guided by the seasons with an impressive mansion, parkland, gardens and rare breed farm."

It has an interesting history, which you can read about here. (It's far to long to try to summarize.)

There's a stately home, a walled garden, a working farm and acres of landscaped parkland. The staff member working the welcome desk was lovely, giving us the lowdown on the must-sees. We headed first to the walled garden.

It is vast and perfectly maintained; my back started to ache just looking at it. There are espalier fruit trees dividing many of the areas and against some of the walls, wonderful borders of perennials, a greenhouse, and areas planted to, or about to be planted to vegetables.

We were a week or two early for the peonies. I'll wager this border will be glorious!

The high walls of the garden spare the plants the wind and reflect the heat off the bricks. This creates a sort of micro-climate within the walls.

Next it was off to the farm. Since it's spring, there are lots of baby animals about. The ewes and newborn lambs were kept in an enclosure away from the public, but there were certainly plenty of little piggies around.

They had cows, ponies, donkeys, goats

and a very special breed of horse, the Shire horse, which is listed as "at risk" meaning there are fewer than 1500 breeding females left in the world.

They're huge, and the tallest at Wimpole farm measures 24 hands!

From the farm, we walked along the parklands to the house.

There is a wonderful collection of 18th century portraits which, due to the glare from the windows, photograph badly.

The rooms are beautiful and the plasterwork is remarkable.

One thing I found very interesting was the displays of the finer points of restoration.

I could be happy entertaining in this drawing room.

Or hosting guests in this dining room.

The house features its own private chapel.

But, as always, there's lots of interest in the servants' areas.

St. Andrew's Parish Church is also located on the Wimpole Estate. Though not owned by the National Trust, it is located within the estate. The original building dates to the medieval era, but only a small side chapel remains, and that restored almost beyond recognition. The rest of the building dates to 1749.

Such a lovely day out!