Wollaton Hall
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Wollaton Hall
Sunday, 1st July 2012
Yesterday's trip to Wollaton Hall near Nottingham was not one of the best attended visits this year. The rain in East Yorkshire did not follow us south and the weather was, for the most part bright and sunny.
Our visit coincided with Armed Forces day and there were a number of World War Two themed events taking place around the house and grounds. In the afternoon a Dakota painted in D-Day colours made three passes over the park.
The interiors of the house date from various periods. The Elizabethan great Hall survives almost intact; above it is the Prospect Room which has what appears to be late eighteenth century decoration. The staircase walls and ceilings were painted with allegorical scenes by Sir James Thornhill in the 1700s. Much of the house was redecorated in Regency style by Jeffry Wyatville in the 1820s.
In the stable courtyard is an industrial museum preserving a wide range of machinery including lace making equipment. Deer roam the park and seem remarkably at ease with their human visitors.
Photographs from the day may be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/6rlmxzx
Wollaton Hall, Nottinghamshire
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Built between 1580 and 1588 for Sir Francis Willoughby, Wollaton Hall is a fine example of an Elizabethan 'Prodigy House'. The architect was Robert Smythson, who also designed Hardwick Hall and Longleat. Apart from the great hall, most of the original interiors were remodelled by Sir Jeffrey Wyattville in 1801. Sir Thomas Willoughby was created 1st Baron Middleton in ... (read more...)
