Ightham is a superb moated manor house, nestling in a sunken valley and it dates from 1320 AD. The American business man Charles Henry Robinson left the property to the National Trust in 1985. The main features of the house span many centuries and include the Great Hall,Old Chapel and Crypt, Tudor Chapel with painted ceiling, drawing room with Jacobean fireplace, frieze and 18th century wallpaper,Billiards Room and the Robinson apartments. There is also an extensive garden and interesting walks in the surrounding woodland of the estate.
What I like particularly about this residence is it looks and feels very livable in. The many rooms are cosy and small with nooks and crannies and many interesting stairways.
Sorry I cannot take you in (as always photos not allowed) but I can take you around the outside of the house and into the inner courtyard before we take a look at the gardens.
If Charles Henry Robinson had not handed this property to the National Trust it was going to be demolished because of the cost of renovation and upkeep.
We will also do a fabulous walk around the perimeter of the estate but that's another post.
We are now walking down the slope deeper into the valley
We will walk clockwise around the outside of the house and mote
The entrance is over the bridge seen here in the centre
Over the bridge and into the cobbled inner courtyard we go
Here we see a Grade I listed dog kennel
Sorry you did not see inside but at least you can see the garden
See the duck half way up the steps
Private cottages in the grounds
Kitchen garden
Part of the cottage complex used as an exhibition area
Hope you enjoyed the visit - do come back and join me on the estate walk
My daughter Janie has not posted for a while. She has just put up a post explaining why, so here is a link if you wish to visit her. You will also see a picture of my second grandchild and one of Oliver.
15 comments:
I'm always amazed at the beauty of the building and grounds you show us.
Thanks so very much for your phone call yesterday. I was sincerely touched :o)
Susan
Barbara,
Comgratulations on another little gift from God. I so enjoy your posts, I doubt if I ever have the opportunity to visit the land of my ancestors but I treasure the view I receive from you. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs, Barbara
You are right, I really enjoyed this post. What stories that manor could tell! I loved enlarging and studying all the photos...all those mullioned windows and half-timbered walls, and the moat and all of it . How interesting they have a dovecote above the main entryway in that exhibition area photo. And I like that parts of the building lean a bit off kilter.
I notice the wisteria is still very green. Mine is getting a bit yellow here and starting to lose a few leaves.
Thank you for the lovely visit...I wish we could have seen inside too. Maybe I'll look online.
Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate the prayers.
I always love to visit your blog. You have the most amazing pictures. I feel like I am right there with you.
Have a wonderful weekend.
hugs,
Barb
I love your blog!
Lovely home...and I would've loved seeing the cozy inside rooms, but understand that you are not allowed to take photos. The duck I would've mistaken for a chicken...my eyes! That's not Alan that you took of a picture of taking a picture...no, I don't think so.
Off to visit Janie!
Congratulations to Janie and family on the expected arrival of their second baby. And congrats to you on becoming a grandmother again. I truly hope everything goes well for everyone. I'll be keeping a closer eye on your blog for news.
Congratulations on your second granchild. May your family be always blessed with so much happiness!
x
Beautiful building Barbara. Congratulations on your soon to see 2nd grandchild.
How sad that this beauty could've been demolished. It should be made illegal to do such things.
Thanks for the visit and congratulations on baby grand, My grand daughter is 4 months I think it is due 1st of Feb.
Patsy
Oh, to have access to such a glorious kitchen garden would be so wonderful! Lovely tour, as always. And warm congratulations on your new grandbaby!
I'm always delighted to see the pieces of history that are in your part of the world. I love how you capture your tour with enough photos to really give one a sense of actually visiting.
That kitchen garden is just amazing. I'd love to have room for one that size!
xo
What a lovely tour as always Barbara. I am glad that they kept the grounds open for people to see. I am glad too that you can have such a nice time visiting gardens and homes and then share them with us. Thank you!
P.S. If you get a chance to visit, I'm having a special guest share tips on my blog today on how to simplify the holidays.
I hope you're having a wonderful, joy-filled day, Barbara.
I've left an award for you on my blog.
Lorrie
Another beautiful visit, Barbara. It always reminds me of the fairy tales we have read over the years.
Great picture of the baby. I'll bet they can't wait, but all that morning sickness must be so tiring.
Hope you have a great visit.
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