20.4.13

At Last...
























































































































Finally, the wind dropped, the sun shone and it really felt like spring was here at long, long last. You could actually feel the sun's warmth on your skin and seeping into your bones. The breeze felt soft and refreshing rather than bitter and cruel and for the first time this year I had the confidence to leave my coat behind. We know there won't be many Saturdays like this in the whole year so with wall to wall sunshine we got the chores done quickly and headed out after lunch to play. 

This weekend is National Trust free weekend (thank you Froogs for the tip-off) so we headed off to nearby Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire. The hall is set in a charming village which was rebuilt in the 17th century when the hall was being built. There are no grand walls, drives or gates hiding this impressive Restoration mansion, it can seen easily from the main road leading through the village. The hall has an impressive staircase and long gallery which were used for some of the interior scenes of the BBC dramatisation of Pride and Prejudice. Outside there are formal gardens and a lake. In the nearby servant's wing is The National Trust Museum of Childhood which is full of interactive fun and fantastic archives.


We enjoyed the hall, gardens and museum and there was a lovely atmosphere outside with plenty of grass for picnicking on and for children to play freely. We sat outside and lingered over a cream tea. And do you know, we didn't want to leave because it felt so good to be relaxed, warm and outside. I could get used to that feeling. 



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13 comments

  1. It certainly was a warmer day today. I think we needed to make the most of it! Sudbury Hall looks spectacular, I'll have to add it to my list of places to visit. Take care. Chel x

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  2. Ooh, the Museum of Childhood sounds cool; I liked the ark picture!

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  3. We love Sudbury Hall, unfortunately too busy to take up the offer this time! We usually get a family ticket every other year and visit lots of NT places, it's good value for money, if you make sure you use it! There's an offer on at the moment, think you get 3 months free :) x

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  4. What a pretty place to visit! It looks like a lovely weekend around your place. :)

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  5. What a lovely weekend ... it is so great to feel sunshiney warmth on skin again ... you were just right to get out and enjoy it ... Bee xx

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  6. Wonderful. We had a similar time at Newark Park, another NT property. A beautiful weekend.

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  7. That's one we must visit when we are next over! Last time we went to Hanbury Hall and Wightwick.
    I noticed the Black Country Museum was used as a backdrop in Dancing on the Edge, recently ;) (actually I was squealing at the screen and home alone with nobody to tell...!)

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  8. What a lovely day out! That cream tea looks fantastic!

    Sft x

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  9. That sound like a real Saturday... We still had grey, grey weather and even a cool wind on Saturday... So basically we stayed inside... But it gave me the chance to declutter the house a bit more ;-)

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  10. It looks a lovely place to visit- such a great day out. The cream scone looks divine mmmm

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  11. I know just what you mean, it's wonderful to feel warm sun on the skin after this cold spring we've had. Glad you made the most of the sunshine. That place looks wonderful. x

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  12. What a fantastic building. Beautiful photos, I'm drooling over the scone!

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  13. That sounds like a great day out and a lovely property to visit.

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