Before we left for Yorkshire we were invited for drinks at The Hall in Bradford-on-Avon, which was the home of Dr Alex Moulton, the creator of Moulton bicycles. The Hall is an Elizabethan mansion, built around 1610 on an older building; some of the walls at the rear of the property are from the medieval period. The property was bought by the Moulton family in 1848 and the fancy renaissance south front was rebuilt in the 1850's. A number of stone fragments are now dotted about the garden.
Possibly a rather spooky place to wander around alone at dusk!
Something altogether more modern was on display on the terrace, an eye-wateringly expensive Moulton bicycle. It was surrounded by a small group of men looking like children in a sweet shop.
Come on, boys, get a grip!
Did we want to see the workshop? Yes, please!
It is housed in the stable block. Sadly, no photography was allowed, but I can tell you that these state of the art, of the moment bicycles are created in the most old-fashioned, positively Dickensian environment. Some of the tools looked as though they had been made during the Industrial Revolution, others had been created or adapted in Heath-Robinson fashion. I loved it!
Back at the house I had a little wander around. Can you see the wall decoration?
Lovely murals depicting The Hall and it's occupants.
When we went home to our little cottage it seemed to have shrunk. But on the plus side it's cozy and warm and there's nothing scary in the garden!
Loved the tour. No matter where I go it is always grand to return home.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly, Bonnie.
DeleteIt is a very beautiful hall, inside and out. The garden looks very interesting, I like the walls, and the different levels. I can imagine you would be looking over your shoulder when walking around in the half-light though.
ReplyDeleteThe garden was rather austere for my taste. I don't know anything about garden history but suspect that It's planted to be fairly true to the Jacobean period of the house. (I'd be a real scaredy-cat walking round it after dark!)
DeleteThe gardens were set out by John Moulton circa 1900. Lots of changes since then of course, but I believe there are plans to try to bring some of the detail back. The Dutch Garden for example, which no longer exists at all is due to be restored.
DeleteWhat a place! Thanks for taking us with you :o). Would have loved to see the garden.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day
Alex
My pictures give a fairly comprehensive picture of the garden, Alex. Not much impact on the flower front!
DeleteOh my gosh - I love this place - spectacular!
ReplyDeleteGreat to take a peek around but I have no wish to live there. I've been to several 'grand' homes where the occupants huddle in the corner of a vast room around an electric fire and often the house seems to own them rather than the other way about.
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DeleteSuch a shame, but it is rather like that these days. Having spent many a Christmas there, and attended many parties, I can tell you, the house is for entertaining and it is absolutely amazing when used like that. The formal rooms downstairs are designed for that purpose and the upstairs is where it is homely, whilst still stunning. Sad to see it empty like this, let's hope the future can bring it back to past glories. Absolutely my favourite place... when we were kids we thought it was the house from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
DeleteWhat a place, and so many impressions.
ReplyDeleteSigrun
There is certainly a real sense of history to a place like this. I had a look in the kitchen at the rear of the house and it was very basic indeed. A house much more for display than for comfort.
DeleteWonderful tour and have to agree with you about cozy cottage compared to upkeep on something of that size. Can you imagine the cleaning bill on all those windows? I will never complain again about the price for our thirty two windows.
ReplyDeleteWhat!! Are you supposed to clean windows? (I hate that job, I'm always left with smears.)
DeleteOh My. Look at this place! Thank you for the tour. I love plunking around in big houses. And I know what you mean. When I get home I often feel as if I'm being put back into my kennel. So sweet of you to check in with me. Sometimes my health slows me down...sometimes I'm just plain lazy. Connie*
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