Wednesday, 2 September 2009

Bowood House,Wiltshire Pt.10

Having spent a day enjoying Lacock we spent the next morning having a lazy day around the cottage, catching our breath before spending the afternoon at Bowood House which was very near to where we were staying.

Bowood is a stately home but also a family home. The Lansdowne family have lived at Bowwood since 1754, and while much has changed over time, the beauty of the house and gardens has not.Lying within 'Capability' Brown's glorious parklands, Bowood perfectly captures a bygone age. You are welcome to come on this tour with me and see it as we saw it.


The House

As we walk through the entrance we are immediately faced with the family chapel


We now look to the left


And to the right




Before making our way through the length of these inter-connecting hallways















We are only allowed into a few of the family rooms
I like the cameos on the ceiling of this library
which contains 5000 leather bound volumes









Dr. Joseph Priestly, who was working as a tutor to the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne's sons, discovered oxygen gas in this room in 1774. His laboratory in the house is a scientific time capsule. Joseph Priestley was also a Unitarian minister, teacher, author and natural philosopher and also the Earl of Shelburne's libarian and tutor to his sons.
Dr. Jan Ingen, pioneer of smallpox inoculation and the discoverer of the process of Photo Synthesis was a friend of the Marquess and a contemporary of Dr. Priestley and worked in this room in the 1790's.



We are now out on the Parterre but not planning to sit and rest as there is so much more to explore
























We are now leaving the formal gardens and exploring the grounds
walking around the lake









We eventually come to this woodland area which is a haven of fun for children
and me!





Lots of paths to circumnavigate




And a labyrinth of caves












And waterfalls








and stepping stones





We are now looking into the family's private walled garden





We have just enjoyed afternoon tea and cakes in the tearoom before leaving
and could not help but notice the interesting bark on this tree
Hope you enjoyed your visit
Still lots more to come on Wiltshire


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25 comments:

  1. Patsy2 September 2009 at 16:24

    I enjoyed the tour with you , it would be wonderful to live there.
    Patsy

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  2. Deanna2 September 2009 at 16:54

    Dearest Barb,
    Greetings to you from HomeHaven!
    Good to hear from you.

    This is a wonderful post on your blog. I enjoyed this tour of the Bowood House. It is fabulous.

    So glad to be able to see this special place with you in blogland.

    God Bless,
    d

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  3. Schnitzel and the Trout2 September 2009 at 16:58

    What a lovely tour. It makes me want to come to visit and see, smell and feel it in person. Thank you for sharing a beautiful part of your world. Susan

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  4. Vee2 September 2009 at 17:07

    A splendid home with gorgeous gardens. The flowers in England always look so fabulous. I had to take a closer look at the photo of the "cottage" by the water. It actually is a rather large home. That photo is so marvelous, Barbara, with the grazing sheep, the charming home, and the water. It would be beautiful framed or painted.

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  5. Needled Mom2 September 2009 at 17:19

    Imagine living there! It is wonderful that they make parts of the beautiful home available to visitors.

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  6. Lorrie2 September 2009 at 17:31

    Thank you, Barbara, for taking us on your tour. I do enjoy these peeks into the life of England through your eyes.

    Lorrie

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  7. Barbara2 September 2009 at 18:42

    Bowood House is such a very elegant place as well as its gardens. I wonder how many gardeners are necessary to keep everything so well...;-) !
    Greetings,
    Barbara

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  8. Tracy Golightly-Garcia2 September 2009 at 18:53

    Barbara
    Breathtaking!!! When I read your post and see your beautiful pictures I feel I am in England(oneday I will be there)
    Thank-You!
    Tracy :)

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  9. Mike's Travels 2 September 2009 at 19:56

    What a fantastic house & gardens. I love the lion rug, so real!!

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  10. Come Away With Me2 September 2009 at 21:51

    Fabulous, Barbara.

    Those pink roses along the stone wall with the lavender underneath were so pretty. Well, all the garden is lovely, but my favorite was when you got out a bit and that huge oak tree with the water in the background.

    I also could not help noticing how ancient the paving stones on the floor inside the house looked, and the lack of carpets covering them. Of course, stones wear better with all the foot traffic, and are easier to keep clean1

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  11. Betty3 September 2009 at 00:26

    Barbara,
    You've taken me to so many unique and interesting places...thank you.

    I suppose if a chapel in is in your home you'd have no excuse to worship...

    The rooms are beautiful and I liked the cameos as well...

    Betty

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  12. IngunnBW3 September 2009 at 08:17

    Thank you for your nice comment in my blog earlier, I really appreciate it :)

    A gorgeous post! When I read your blog, I agree 100% with myself to visit England next summer. Your blog is more interesting than any tourist brochure!

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  13. Adrienne3 September 2009 at 13:12

    What a beautiful place! And such history! Thank you for taking us along. I need my sweetheart to build a chapel and buy me a pipe organ like the one on this estate! ~Adrienne~

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  14. Willow3 September 2009 at 18:43

    Another wonderful art filled place! Thank you for sharing this house and its garden with us. Now if I could share the tea...

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  15. Aqeela3 September 2009 at 19:30

    Hello Barbara,
    Thanks for the tour! That Lion rug is just so vulgar though isnt it? I just cant imagine how people like to have something like that in their homes without feeling any shame. No matter what century or decade these things are from, having a heart shouldnt be something that just goes in and out of fashion! Still, i must say that when i come across stuffed animals in historic houses, i really do like a good look and am fascinated by them.
    Aqeela xx

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  16. Anonymous4 September 2009 at 00:23

    Barbara, thank you for the invitation to join you! There's so much beauty for the eyes. The rooms look like part movie set part homey comfort. Those gardens are fantastic -- I love that long walk with the blue flowers (lavender?).

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  17. Elizabeth4 September 2009 at 13:07

    This is one of the very loveliest country houses you have written about. How England is dotted with them!
    I loved the wild gardens but noted the gorgeous coral of the picture gallery walls.
    You really do a super job as a virtual guide to all things I most love about England.
    I don't think I wrote about how charming your grandchildren look. What a great joy.
    September in the US is an exceptionally pretty month.
    Remembering our happy day together last September and all best wishes to Alan.

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  18. Nancie5 September 2009 at 02:34

    Hi Barbara,

    Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments. It is a pleasure to know you. I love the pictures you posted here. So beautiful!

    It is so true that it is in the dark valleys that we learn most from our Saviour and grow most, and we know the joy of the mountain tops much more acutely. May God continue to bless and guide you as you live for Him. Blessings to you too!

    Warm regards,
    Nancie

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  19. Anonymous5 September 2009 at 11:03

    What a charming house but oh my those gardens are gorgeos. I could almost smell the lavender lining the gravel path. Ooo caves to explore and waterfalls to listen to. Lovely! Thanks for sharing Barbara.

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  20. Anonymous5 September 2009 at 20:00

    Hi

    My husband and I have been to Wiltshire a couple of times but never visited Bowood House. We certainly will after seeing your great blog with the wonderful photographs.

    Thank you for sharing, Jackie.

    http://jackieslifeinsurrey-1.blogspot.com/

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  21. Tea Time With Melody6 September 2009 at 16:25

    Oh my, if this is how a Marquess lives I am dying to see how a Duke lives. This place was gorgeous and the grounds were just lovely.

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  22. Knitting Mania6 September 2009 at 16:42

    I always love coming over to your blog and experiencing your world.

    I may never see these places in my life time, but through your eyes I am privileged to see the beauty that exsits beyond my world here in the states.

    Have a blessed day!

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  23. Pomona6 September 2009 at 21:36

    What a very beautiful place - you must have had a lovely day!

    Pomona x

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  24. Paula7 September 2009 at 05:40

    Wow, what an amazing place. The white tiger, the gardens, the flowers, just stunning!

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  25. Kate7 September 2009 at 15:31

    What a lovely place - its good to see houses like that preserved in all their glory!
    Must have been a nightmare to clean though!!

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