Arley Hall and Gardens

FLAG members set off on a beautifully sunny day to Arley Hall and Gardens. It's nestled in the centre of a triangle formed by Northwich, Knutsford and Warrington. Everyone seems to have had a fantastic time and the gardens were particularly beautiful.

Huge thanks to all our contributors. 

Here's Carolyn's photo and words about the visit. 

On a hot day made very pleasant by a strong breeze, we visited Arley Hall, which at first glance looks like a substantial Tudor house. In a style known as Jacobethan, it was actually built between 1832 and 1845, copying both styles and now very much blackened by soot, At least the fourth house built on the site, it was commissioned by Rowland Egerton-Warburton, but fell into disrepair so that parts were demolished and much altered. 

 

It’s now the home of Viscount Ashbrook and has extensive panelling, heavily ornate ceilings and a massive staircase and is well furnished. 

 

Its real distinction is its grounds – eight acres of formal gardens including the first herbaceous border planted in England, and a great quantity of well-trimmed yew hedges and topiary, all immaculate.

 

In the grounds is a 15th-century cruck barn with seven cruck trusses.

 

Also in the grounds is a Gothic Revival chapel built at the same time as the house. Designed by Anthony Salvin, it has plain brick walls above stone arches and a number of carved angels in best medieval style. There is also some fine metalwork, including a very elaborate hearse canopy of wrought iron that you expect to be protecting a monument. Beneath is a fine Victorian radiator.

 

And here's some more photos of the day from Cherry. 

 

 

 

And finally this one. It's a rootery! A rootery is apparently a collection of roots and soil with plants growing from it.