When we study some thing, we like to "see" it in the flesh if possible. We've studied to Tudors a bit and Od was quite taken with the whole era - although not quite so the bloodthirstiness of it.
We toyed with Hampton Court, but it is the Summer Holidays and it is Grand, and it would be packed. Instead we went for the less well known but still stunning Tudor house known as "The Vyne". The grounds were very romantic, with weeping willows trailing in the pond. Od started imagining Anne Boleyn being courted by Henry VIII at that very spot - I didn't have the heart to read out from the guide book that he had only visited it three times.
We also indulged in some chicken petting in the immaculate Kitchen Garden - which made every one decide that we had to have chickens for pets, now.
I was pleasantly surprised by the volunteers who were friendly, helpful and rather pleased to be asked questions. They especially liked Shrek who introduced himself to several marble statues and asked what their names were.When we started our tour of the house, we realised early on that some pieces of furniture looked very out of place - they were beautiful and some times a little odd - but not your normal antique...turns out The Vyne had been chosen to show case some of the best contemporary design in an exhibition called "Bling meets Baroque". Mb *loved* it, and caused many an elderly lady in the cafe to smile into her tea cup when he declared in a loud voice, over and over that the pink chaise long was his "very best thing of the whole entire day - even better than the ice cream"
There was this rather large plant - no idea what it was but it made Mb look teeny!
Summer house, any one?
So, if you're looking for a romantic location, with chickens, tudors, fancy furniture and a good tea room - I can recommend The Vyne.*
*The National Trust have not paid me for this review, but if they want to they could send me a free ticket to their next open air play.
4 comments:
Oh this is lovely. Thank you for posting it. it looks like you all had a wonderful time. Take care.
oh this looks like a lovely place to visit and the gardens look very enticing. where abouts is this please?
Pipx
i stare, wistful! i think it's a rheum; rhubarb related, non edible variety, likes boggy or wet conditions? i grew one once because it reminded me of jungles. the kids saw it off with a bicycle, den, plastic chair and - the final blow - a form of attentive gardening which requires it to be hosed down and painted. looks like that particular plant has had a better lot in life.
Hi Kelly! I was thinking about this post when we stopped by the Vyne today! We've been before, but it was ages since we went into the house so decided to pop in while in the area. The staff there are really top-notch! We almost ran out of time to see the whole house as every guide stopped and chatted with us, and they really engage with the children there. One of the better places. I'd recommend the Basing House in Basingstoke if you haven't been--mostly a ruin--but very informative and goes back to Norman times. And all the Tudors were visitors there.
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