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Aristocratic travels Part 2

...arching - does anyone know where this might be? One of Emily's paintings The Meynell family abroad Soldiers marching Emily's schooner,  "Ariadne"   African farmers   I hope you have enjoyed looking at these old photos - more next week! If you would like to follow my blog from the beginning, click here and please feel free to share with your friends!        ...

The Haunting of Hoar Cross Hall #27

.... “How does she know what the house looks like already?” wondered Viv. “They only moved in a few days ago!” However, she didn't pursue it and the child did as she was told and ran off down the corridor towards the west wing. Viv followed to make sure she got back safely but when she reached the top of the spiral staircase Alice had disappeared. “Wow, she sure moves quick,” thought Viv and turned to go back along the corridor to the spiral staircase at the other end of the house.   The haunted attic corridor   A few days later Viv and Gavin were rummaging through the dressing up box trying to find Christmas outfits – they wanted to dres...

The origins of the stately home #43

...any rooms does your average stately home have? A manor house might typically have about 30 rooms whilst a Hall could have up to 100 rooms (including servants quarters). Hoar Cross Hall had 70 rooms although the kitchens had been knocked down so it would have had maybe another 10 rooms on top of that – a lot to keep clean! A Palace could have up to 300 or more rooms. Typical rooms in a stately home would be a Long Gallery (for promenading along during the winter months), a saloon, a library, a drawing room, a snooker room and master and guest bedrooms. Rooms on each floor were laid out as follows:-   The basement - kitchens and sculleries plus male servants'...

The Origins of the Stately Home #39

...any rooms does your average stately home have? A manor house might typically have about 30 rooms whilst a Hall could have up to 100 rooms (including servants quarters). Hoar Cross Hall had 70 rooms although the kitchens had been knocked down so it would have had maybe another 10 rooms on top of that – a lot to keep clean! A Palace could have up to 300 or more rooms. Typical rooms in a stately home would be a Long Gallery (for promenading along during the winter months), a saloon, a library, a drawing room, a snooker room and master and guest bedrooms. Rooms on each floor were laid out as follows:- The basement - kitchens and sculleries plus male servants' bed...

Hallowe'en Hauntings #100

...How scary does this attic look?   During those early years there were many strange things happening in the house causing the local press to do a story on it.  This led to a team of 'Ghostbusters' staying the night in the attic with lots of equipment to try and tune in to the paranormal activity.  However, my worst nightmare came true when one night, whilst saying goodnight to my boyfriend at the front door, I saw a man in a dark suit standing behind us. As I wondered aloud who it was, the man just faded away and disappeared!  Needless to say, we never 'celebrated' Hallowe'en ever again!   Don't miss next month's blog:  "Lest we Forget"   If you ar...