The home of George Washington's ancestors, Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire was built in 1539 by Lawrence Washington, a wealthy wool merchant. The Washington family lived there for over 100 years. The house is now jointly owned by the people of GB and the US, and both flags are flown outside the building.
There is a small exhibition on the history of George Washington.
Tags: Northamptonshire Sulgrave Manor Ancestors of George Washington George Washington medieval buildings
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The library in this early 18th century house has an impressive collection of books.
Antony House, near Torpoint in south-east Cornwall, was constructed for Sir William Carew between 1711 and 1721 and is believed to be one of the finest surviving Queen Anne buildings in the West Country. The house features some exceptional furnishings. There is a splendid collection of portraits including examples of works by Reynolds and a painting of Charles I at his trial. The house and gardens were donated to the National Trust in 1961, although the house is still the home of the Carew Pole family.
Tags: Cornwall Antony Antony House Queen Anne houses 18th century architecture country houses
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This is the main entrance to Rockingham Castle, set between two substantial medieval round towers. Rockingham Castle sits on a hilltop above the Welland Valley with a commanding view of five counties. Its earliest parts date from Norman times, though the castle was converted into a country house in the time of King Henry VIII. Open to the public, it has been in the Saunders-Watson family ever since.
Tags: Northamptonshire Rockingham Castle gateway entrance
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The great house stands in extensive grounds (360 hectares or 890 acres) above the River Fowey and it has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1953. Much of the present house dates back to Victorian times but some sections date from the 1620s. It is a Grade I-listed building and is set in gardens with formal areas. The hill behind the house is planted with a fine selection of shrubs and trees.
Lanhydrock estate belonged to the Augustinian priory of St Petroc at Bodmin but the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the 1530s saw it pass into private hands. In 1620 wealthy merchant Sir Richard Robartes acquired the estate and began building Lanhydrock House, designed to a four-sided layout around a central courtyard and constructed of grey granite. Robartes died in 1624 but work on the building was continued by his son John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor, a notable public figure who served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord President of the Council.
During the 18th century the east wing of the house was demolished leaving the U-shaped plan seen today. In 1881 a major fire destroyed the south wing and caused extensive damage to the central section. Of the main house only the north wing, with its 29m Long Gallery, and the front porch building survived intact, though the original gatehouse also dates back to the mid-17th century. New sections were built behind the south wing, including a kitchen block, in the style of the original building - which was unusual at the time.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Tags: Cornwall Lanhydrock House Landhydrock Victorian interiors country houses National Trust
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One of my favourite National Trust properties in Cornwall is the Cotehele Estate, with its medieval house with its Tudor additions, beautiful gardens and a Georgian quay down on the side of the River Tamar.
Situated near Calstock in east Cornwall and probably originating around 1300AD, the main phases of building appear to have been started by Sir Richard Edgcumbe from 1485–89 and followed by his son, Sir Piers Edgcumbe, from 1489-1520. This house is one of the least altered of the Tudor houses in the United Kingdom. The outbuildings include a stone dovecote in a remarkable state of preservation. For centuries the house belonged to the Edgcumbe family, which eventually moved to Mount Edgcumbe House on the Rame Peninsula, leaving Cotehele as virtually nothing more than a depository for tapestries and furniture. The Cotehele Estate was given to the National Trust in 1947 in lieu of death duties.
The gardens and parkland are listed as Grade II* on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.
Tags: Cornwall Cotehele Cotehele House medieval buildings National Trust
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