Tuesday 19 August 2008

Belton House, Gardens and Church

We have not arrived in Yorkshire yet - this was the second visit we made on the way there, just 15 miles north of Isaac Newton's home. I think I will post in the order that we visited places and then you can come along and enjoy visiting with me.

Why did we stop here? Well mainly because this was the house that was used in the BBC adaption of Jane Eyre. We will have lunch and then visit around the house, (no pics allowed), and the gardens between the showers, before finishing in the family church that dates back to 1200.

Belton was built in 1685-88 for Sir John Brownlow. The house has stunning interiors with rooms displayed in the 17th century, Regency and Victorian styles.

There are 36 acres of delightful gardens, lakeside walks and a magnificant landscaped park. The church of St. Paul and St. Peter's in the grounds dates from 1200. It is filled with monuments of the Brownlow and Crust families.

We will not have time to tour the whole place as we want to continue our journey, but we will see as much as we can. Yorkshire beckons!



















The Orangery and church


This looked like it was perched on top but the shrub was grown around it





Family tomb stones


Click to read the writing










36 comments:

Willow said...

I recognized the house from the movie! The garden with its lavender border is lovely. I shall wander around there in my dreams today.

Anonymous said...

Hia Barbara, thanks for visiting my blog- ooo Yorkshire! We were there in York yesterday, so I just blogged the first post about it.

Thanks for the reading tips- I tend to read a lot so am always on the look out for more. I've not read 25 from that list, so I'll make a note of them to keep in my purse. Thank you so much.

Totally beautiful gardens in your pics. I do love the tranquil green of formal gardens probably because I can't have it at home what with children and 3 hounds. LOL

Anonymous said...

Your country because of its diversity, long and famous past is always with me, caused me great interest - although so far I have not had a chance to see live is about but I taught her a lot of those blog is an excellent! Greeting!!! Steven

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Wow! That is something else. the grounds are amazing as well as the house.

Jeanne said...

So lovely and divine is all that you share. Your photographs are amazing.
Love you
Jeanne ^j^

Patsy said...

Longing to be there. Lovely, Thanks for sharing.
Patsy

Flower said...

My mind takes me to the work that is involved in keeping the gardens!! (I should not stress over my little plot!!)
I enjoy seeing anything from England and things I've seen in films! You are so blessed to have the history and amazing architechture! Each garden is lovely!! Have a wonderful time!!

duopastorale said...

I love the little chapels in these places.

I passed by Leonardslee the other day but only had a short time so I visited Nyman's Gardens instead but I will definitely be returning. Thanks again for the tour!

Aqeela said...

Im back! I will commence blogging soon God willing, for now though i am catching up with everybody.

You visit some lovely & interesting places, and take a million photos! Its always good to see where else youve been.

Dorothy said...

Hi Barbara...such a lovely house and beautiful gardens....I especially liked the cemetary and the writings on the tombs.. The lavender reminds me of my purple Mexican sage that is thriving this time of year...I love that they use these grand old places in productions such as Jane Eyre..very nice tour...thank you for bringing us along.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

How perfectly lovely. Was this the house used as Thornfield?

Tess Kincaid said...

Beautiful. And such an incredibly ancient tree! I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Barbara.

And thanks so much for stopping by my place. It was fun to see your lovely pic in my guest book this morning! :)

Willow x o

Barb said...

Hi Barbara,

Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. They were truly appreciated.

Beautiful pictures Barbara.

hugs,
Barb

Lavinia said...

I have always wanted an orangery! I am trying to decide which of these lovely photos I should use as my new monitor background...

I have been away from blogland and am now back, catching up....

Marie Louise said...

What a wonderful trip you're taking. You take excellent photos by the way - really lovely. I lived in London years ago but because I traveled for a living, I never wanted to go anywhere when I got home and unfortunately missed seeing much of the U.K. I'll check back with you and try to make up for that!

Paula said...

That place is AWESOME. Yes, it totally reminds me of an estate from a Jane Austen movie. I love the masses of lavender, that has got to be one of my favorite shrubs.

Lisa said...

Oh Barbara, these pictures are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing them with us.

Sue Seibert said...

This is beautiful. Wasn't it featured in "Treasures of the Trust"?

Wright Family said...

Hi Barbara! I've been checking our your blog. The photos make me a bit homesick. There is nothing quite like the english countryside. I miss it. Hope you and Alan are well.
Sarah

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

Barbara, thank you so much for posting this. I love the amazing gardens and grounds. I know you must have thoroughly enjoyed your visit. It looks peaceful and elegant.

Linda said...

Wow, what a place! Can you imagine what it was like to live there? Boggles the mind.

Vee said...

(Just lost my comment... Okay, trying again.)

That house does look so "Jane Eyre- ish"! I love the story so must look for the movie!

debbie bailey said...

Hi Barbara,

Did you know that an American author, Sarah Ban Breathnach, lives in Sir Isaac Newton's chapel? I think it's his chapel. It's somewhere on his estate. Two years ago my husband and I visited York. The Viking exhibit underground was really interesting. Four years ago we stayed in Haworth at the Apothecary Shop which is a B&B now. I love the Brontes but found the spirit of Haworth oppressive. Maybe they did too! I read Jane Eyre while traveling in Yorkshire. I love to match what I'm reading with where I'm traveling.

Visit my blog for a sample of Georgia and the South of America. I don't mean South America but the southern states of America. Love your blog! Debbie

Anonymous said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Paz

Susan said...

Such beauty you have there near you without having to drive miles and miles.
Susan

Annie Jeffries said...

Hi B - More lovely wanderings for me. I especially like the cemetary.

I also wanted to let you know that I'm leaving blogging for a short while. I have a lot on my plate and creativity is taking over so nothing bad. I'll still be visiting around and commenting. I expect to be returning from time to time as I complete my writing and art projects. But for now, I need to focus only on this.

Blessings,
Annie

Kristen said...

lovely pics. someday I'll go back to England to see such beautiful scenery...

Mmm said...

Another incredible manor and tour. Thanks for letting us come along.

Tina said...

Wonderful pictures as always, dear Barbara. I am a fan of old churches and love to photograph them. The gardens are gorgeous!
x

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

I'll have to look at the movie more closely next time I see it!

I can't imagine having the family name of Crust! But I have seen the strangest names (working for a university system, I've seen lots and lots of names and student records. "Matthew Mark Luke" and "Mary Christmas" come to mind...also someone who's last name was "Lasagna")...

The gardens and house are both very grand; and that lavender is so pretty too. Loved the urn atop the topiary! Very whimsical.

I was fascinated to learn that you were on the HMS Bounty in the middle of the Thames, that you knew the captain, and so got to visit when Marlon Brandow was aboard! It makes my own brief stroll on deck much more interesting!

Susan Skitt said...

You do have the most lovely gardens in your country! Stunning!

Looks like you're having a nice summer!

God bless,
Susan

Betty said...

Barbara,
Thank you for sharing the pictures....what a privilege to visit such a beautiful, famous place.....

Elizabeth Goudge has become one of my favorite authors...the library has gotten many for me....thanks for the tip.......

Thanks for visiting with me....I'm always pleased to see that you've been by....Betty

Anonymous said...

Barbara you could easily write "the perfect guide to touring England" book. Yet another beautiful home and what about the gardens, stunning.

zetor said...

Lovely photos and interesting post Barbara.

zetor said...

Hello Barbara, please check my bog as I have nominated you for an award.

Needled Mom said...

Oh my, those formal gardens are just stunning. It is so nice to see such beautiful old buildings so well taken care of over the years. Nowadays it seems like people want to tear old things down instead of maintaining them.