Story Search Results

The country house in society #48

...ansion in England.  Built for the Duke of Marlborough in gratitude for his part in the war in Bavaria.  It was also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.   The political power exerted by owners and their association with music and the arts are all part of the contribution these country seats have made to our society. However, as their decline came towards the end of the 19th century different uses came to the fore in the 20th century as these great houses were opened to the public and saved by institutions such as The National Trust. My own parents bought our house, Hoar Cross Hall (see header picture) and saved it from further decline by opening it to t...

The Library #69

...may adorn England with monuments of books”. It seems that people started to collect large amounts of books, known as bibliomania, just to fill up their library shelves, often duplicating books to fill the space! The Library in the 1930s   Architectural libraries made their appearance around 1720 when the finest Palladian houses also had libraries placed alongside private rooms.  Robert Adam designed elegant neo-classical libraries in the later part of the century, although some of these were later converted to dining rooms due to lack of books – no bibliomania there then!  It is said that libraries were a good place for courting couples to meet up...

Meet the Neighbours - Shugborough Hall #80

...rewery is England’s only log-fired brewery that still produces beer commercially and is operated by Titanic Brewery.  So there is lots to see and do at this historic house and I know that we always enjoyed our visits there where the children would chase each other from folly to folly around the park and finish up with a visit to see the farm animals, while Mother and I would enjoy a much-needed cup of tea! Check out their website here   Don't miss next month's blog - 'Meet the Neighbours - Coombe Abbey'   If you would like to follow my story from the beginning, please click here and feel free to share with your friends.Join me on a Tour of the Hall - c...

Victorian Courtship - fans #91

...masses in England and some say this was done to boost sales rather than imparting the secret codes – I guess we’ll never know the answer to that!  Incidentally, the Duvelleroy fan company, started in 1827 is still going to this day – so fans couldn’t have lost their popularity that much if they’re still in demand nearly 200 years later!  Happy flirting!   If you’d like to follow my story from the beginning, please click here and feel free to share with your friends.Follow me around my childhood home in my 'Tour of the Hall' – click here to view and subscribe to my YouTube channel.   OUT NOW!!!  'My Dad Bought a Mansion' is out in book for...