Packwood House

Packwood is well known for it's topiary garden which is breathtaking in the spring when the daffodils are up and the house and gardens look their best. Tradition has it that Charles II was given refreshment at Packwood after the defeat of his armies at Worcester in 1651. The property was donated to the National Trust in 1941 by Mr Graham Baron Ash in memory of his parents. The Ash family had spent many years restoring the property.

This really is an impressive property as a walk down the Long Gallery and through the Great Hall will reveal. What is often not known is that the Long Gallery was only built in 1931 to join up the Great Hall to the rest of the house. Some of the wonderful tapestries come from nearby Baddesley Clinton and several pieces of oak furniture date back to the sixteenth century.

Whilst the beauty of the house is impressive the garden is positively breathtaking and is what makes Packwood House so famous. The Yew Garden is entered by raised steps and a wrought iron gate. The garden slopes upwards and an avenue of trees lead the walker to a raised path which circles upwards and round until you reach a wooden seat beneath a yew tree from where you can admire the garden and its tranquility from a raised vangage point. Packwood House has a cafeteria, parking, a lake and plenty of countryside for a walk. Only two miles away is the National Trust property of Baddesley Clinton.

Packwood House, Lapworth, Solihull, B94 6AT. Tel: 01564 783294

Further information about Packwood House can be obtained by visiting their website at

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Charlecote Park

Charlecote Park dates back to the Norman Conquest. The names of Charlecote and Lucy (Luce) come from two families who travelled across with the conquest. The first Sir Thomas Lucy constructed the current house in 1551. Queen Elizabeth was entertained here in 1572. The house is in Elizabethan Revival style. 

Shakespeare is said to have been caught poaching in the grounds of the Deer Park. The grounds are by 'Capability Brown' and make for excellent walking.

Shop, Licenced orangery restaurant and Deer Park. This is a National Trust property.

For photographs of Charlecote Park click here or view on You Tube

Charlecote Park, Warwick, CV35 9ER. Tel:01789 470277

Chateau Impney

Quite how this could be described as an ugly building or even the second most ugly building in Britain does somewhat defy belief but there are some that think this building is anything but delightful.

The history behind this mansion is one of romance and shattered dreams. John Corbett, known as the 'Salt King' and the builder of this magnificent chateau fell in love with a French lady, or perhaps it is more appropriate to say French educated, as her name was - Ann Eliza O'Meara.

A condition of his marriage to her involved the building of a French Chateau - the Chateau Impney you see today. The marriage did not last long but the building remains as a reminder of that once romantic gesture that was responsible for its creation.

The Chateau is built in the style of Louis XIII and was completed in 1875. The Salt Industry of Droitwich was once the towns main income and John Corbett was a prominent figure in Drotiwich history. Born in 1817 he was the son of a Black Country barge owner.

The Chateau Impney stands in 130 acres of parkland and is now a hotel which provides modern and luxury accommodation and conference services. Considerable effort once went into the landscaped parkland which include lakes, waterfalls, tropical gardens and an extensive variety of trees and shrubs.

Chateau Impney is a well known local landmark near Droitwich and anyone entering from the North or from Junction 5 of the M5 motorway will pass by it. The website for the Chateau Impney can be found at: www.chateau-impney.com/

Malvern

Malvern watches over Worcestershire with its hills. An absolute must in the summer months is to take a walk across the Malvern Hills to take in the amazing views of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Malvern is full of green countryside, old buildings and specialist shops and restaurants, boasting some of the most spectacular views of the county. Every summer at the Three Counties Showground they hold their agricultural show, normally held in the middle of June. This show is renowned all over the country.

Malvern is also well known for its love of theatre.

For more photographs of Malvern click here

Witley Court

Only a hundred years ago and Witley Court was one of England's finest country houses. Unfortunately today it is a spectacular ruin. A visit to Witley Court gives the visitor a glance into a bygone age of prosperity. This house would have played host to many social events and royal weekend parties.

It was built by Thomas Foley in 1655 on the site of a former manor house near Great Witley. Subsequent additions were designed by John Nash in the early 1800s and the Court was subsequently bought by the Dudley family in 1837.

In the 1850s, the Earl of Dudley engaged the architect Samuel Daukes, who had already altered his London house and the church at Great Witley, to remodel the house in Italianate style using ashlar stone. He also commissioned the garden designer W. A. Nesfield to transform the gardens. This was Nesfield's 'Monster Work'.

In 1920 Witley Court was sold by the 2nd Earl to Sir Herbert Smith, a Kidderminster carpet manufacturer. The property was sold again following an accidental fire in 1938. Thereafter the estate was broken up and, with the exception of the church, allowed to fall into ruin.

In 1972 the remnants of the house and garden were acquired by the government. Almost 70 years after the devastation, its ruins are still spectacular, and today the property is in the care of English Heritage. Great Witley Church, which is attached to the ruins, survived the fire, and so visitors can still view the paintings.

The immense fountains created by Nesfield have survived. The largest, the Poseidon Fountain has been restored to working order by English Heritage. The grounds are extensive and ideal for picnics and leisurely walks around the beautiful gardens, lake and woodlands. The ornate parish church of Great Witney and the tea rooms are definately worth a visit.

Great Witley, Worcestershire, WR6 6JT. Tel: 01299 896636

For more photographs of Witley Court click here or view on You Tube