Tags
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge, country house, gardens, Lord Fairhaven, National Trust, snowdrops, winter aconites
Elinor had an interview at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge one Saturday at the beginning of February. Both Richard and I accompanied her there and waited in the Ruskin Gallery while she went on a tour of the art facilities and then had her interview. I admired the light fittings which, as with many functional buildings and their fittings designed pre WW2, were beautiful in their own right.
After Elinor had finished at the University we took the bus back to the park-and-ride car park and drove to nearby Anglesey Abbey. We had hoped for some lunch in the café and a quiet walk round the grounds in the sunshine. We hadn’t realised that the whole of Cambridgeshire would also have the same idea as us and the place was packed! We managed to buy some sandwiches and a drink each and fought our way to a table. After eating we escaped outside and walked about in the sunshine.
Anglesey Abbey is famous for its spring bulbs, especially its snowdrops, and I had wanted to visit for some years.
We were getting cold in the strong breeze so decided to look at the house.
We toured the house but I didn’t manage to get any photographs of the interior. It was so crowded it was difficult to see many of the rooms which were stuffed with objets d’arts, paintings and furniture as well as people. The library was wonderful as it not only contained the typical sets of required books that most large libraries have but also many books that were obviously bought to be read and had been read by the family. We were pleased to see all Lord Fairhaven’s boyhood adventure books on a top shelf.
The long gallery was being re-decorated and all the furniture and ornaments from there had been redistributed about the house. I must admit that most of the furniture and ornaments were not to my taste.
I had wished to see the garden with the silver birches but by the time we left the house we were running out of energy.
We left the garden without having seen all of it but with any luck we will return and finish our tour one day.
dobetteralways said:
It looks lovely there, with lots of history. Thanks for sharing your visit 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure and thank you. 🙂
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Retirement Reflections said:
Hi, Clare – Anglesey Abbey is beautiful with such rich history. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Donna and thank you. 🙂
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Liz said:
Such a lot of amazing things to see – no wonder you were exhausted! But that’s good isn’t it because it means there will still be plenty of not-yet-seen things to justify a return visit. I very much hope things are going well for Elinor with her interviews etc. X
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Liz. I do aim to return one day, preferably during the week and not during the school holidays! Things are going very well for Elinor; she did well in her interviews and has decided her University of choice is Norwich. A friend from college has also been accepted there and they will attend an applicant day in April, which I think is like a taster day. xx
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Liz said:
Oh that’s brilliant news – you must all be so pleased. Do pass on my congratulations (even though she has no idea who I am, I feel as if I know her lol)! X
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Liz! ❤
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margaret21 said:
We’ll, good luck to Elinor in her quest for the right place to study. And what a good day out, despite the frustrations. I’m sure you will go back.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Margaret. I am sure to return but maybe not on a Saturday or during the school holidays. Elinor has done well in her interviews and has made her choice of University for September.
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margaret21 said:
Brilliant! We mums with daughters called Elinor should stick together too!
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Clare Pooley said:
Yes! Very true!
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Annika Perry said:
Clare, it’s lovely to revisit this beautiful property and its garden from your post here! We went often as members of the NT. The grounds are delightful and I see the sun was shining for you! Ahh…the library is divine and I think we spent of our time there. Hope all went well with Elinor’s interview! 😀
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Annika. I would love to return and see all the things I missed and revisit places I liked. Elinor has done well and has chosen to go to Norwich University of the Arts in September. All she requires is a pass for the course she is on this year and she is sure to get that result.
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Annika Perry said:
Congratulations to Elinor!! 😀 What will she be studying there? My son is hoping to go to Nottingham University in September to study Computer Science … nerve-wrecking time with the A-levels soon but he seems on top of the work!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Annika. Elinor will be studying Illustration at Norwich. Best of luck to your son; I hope he gets all the grades he needs. xx
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susanpoozan said:
What a beautiful and interesting place to visit. You are a good tour guide thank you.
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Susan and thank you. I will definitely go back and find the things I missed first time round.
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Jill Weatherholt said:
Oh my! That library is incredible…I think I could live there! Thank you for sharing your amazing photos, Clare. I enjoyed the tour. I hope Elinor’s interview went well. xo
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Jill. The library was really inviting and next time I visit I will head there first! Elinor has done very well in her interviews and has chosen her University for September. 🙂 xo
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derrickjknight said:
A fine tour well described and photographed
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Derrick.
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Know-All said:
Wonderful post!!! I wish i had a library like that!!!!!
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Clare Pooley said:
Me too! Thank you so much, Know-All!
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Laurie Graves said:
Yes, best of luck to Elinor! That is quite a place. Hope you go back for another tour so that we can see more.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Laurie. I aim to get back there sometime and find all the things I missed on our last visit.
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Lavinia Ross said:
Best of luck to Elinor!
Thank you for the tour of buildings and grounds, Clare. I especially love that old library and all the spring flowers.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Lavinia. The spring flowers were lovely and I am sure by now there are more to see.
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quercuscommunity said:
Many years ago, when I used to work in that area, and was a member of NT, I used to pop in there just to use the tearoom. Lovely place. That photo of tulips and birch is superb.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Simon. I wish I had taken the photo of the tulips under the birch trees! The Abbey has a large restaurant now. it is well run and the staff did an amazing job with the crowds when we visited.
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quercuscommunity said:
Well, whoever took it, it’s a great photo.
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Clare Pooley said:
🙂
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Luanne said:
Love the combination of history and beauty!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Luanne.
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Lisa G. said:
Yes, go back when more things are blooming – I want to see it! 😀 Seriously, what a well-kept place. I admire the grounds and the interiors. Thanks!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Lisa. I will be going back sometime, I’m sure. The place was so well looked after. Visitors were recommended not to walk on the grass as they were trying to encourage growth before the main visitor season. The house was having a spring clean as well as being re-decorated in a couple of rooms so we couldn’t go everywhere. Staff were available to explain how they clean all the precious ornaments, pictures, pieces of furniture and books. Very interesting!
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tootlepedal said:
I love those winter aconites.
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Clare Pooley said:
Yes, so do I. Thank you, Tom.
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H.J. for avian101 said:
What a cool place! I love the Library and dining room. Thanks Clare. 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
It was fabulous, HJ! Thank you so much for commenting. 🙂
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KerryCan said:
Oh, you have to go back and share more photos with us–what a place! The gardens are already impressive–what will they be like at the height of the growing season!? The espaliered tree looks magnificent on that wall!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Kerry. I would love to see what the gardens look like all through the year. The pear tree was very old and is an old-fashioned eating variety. It must look wonderful covered in blossom!
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Elizabeth Melton Parsons said:
So beautiful, Clare. I absolutely love that pear tree against the Abbey wall. 🙂 I’m with Richard, that bench is just too adorable not to sit on.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Elizabeth. I really want a bench like that for my garden! The pear tree must look wonderful covered in blossom in the spring. 🙂
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I don’t blame you for wanting to visit such a beautiful place. It was great to see all the flowers but hard to imagine them blooming in January!
I worked for a few years pruning an espaliered pear tree much like that one but it was only about 7 feet tall. That one is huge.
The house is amazing. I’d love to spend a few years in that library!
Thanks for the tour.
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure and thank you, Allen. I was truly impressed by the pear tree and really want to see it when it is full of blossom and then see the fruit! I loved the library. It was a comfortable reader’s room with books on all sorts of subjects as well as so many novels.
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
The pear I pruned had full sized fruit that weighed down the branches, so I had to thin it out.
I love libraries and to have one like that in my own house would be like a dream come true!
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Clare Pooley said:
Oh,yes! I cannot bear to part with any of my books and I have them all over the house. What luxury to have them all together in one room and no limit on the numbers of books!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
Your house sounds just like mine!
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Clare Pooley said:
Haha!
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Jacqui Murray said:
There seems to be something quintessentially civilized about considering the gardening and architecture of the town where the college your child wants to attend resides. Kudos.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Jacqui. It was also meant to be a light relief after the tensions of the morning, though with the crowds and bustle it was hardly that! 🙂
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germac4 said:
What a beautiful Abby and the surrounding gardens would be glorious in the middle of spring. The library looks absolutely wonderful…..these are always my favourite rooms in historic buildings. I completely understand how you feel after walking around a building, it is very tiring, and we too, have often promised ourselves we will come back later to many interesting places.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Gerrie. That slow plodding one has to do in museums and galleries is so tiring! We had also had a very early start as my daughter’s interview was at 10.00 and it takes us some time to travel to Cambridge. I will definitely go back!
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Jane Sturgeon said:
I hope Elinor has welcome news from her interview. ❤ I love your pictures. My Mum has had a bad fall and my hands are full, as she was Dad's full time carer. i hold you in my heart, lovely Clare. Wrapping you all in much ❤ xXx ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Oh, Jane! My poor friend! Of course (typical excellent timing as usual!) I sent you a message and then found this kind comment from you which I should have read first! I’ll mail you with news etc. Hugs and love xx<3 ❤ xx
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Jane Sturgeon said:
Your timing is loving, as always. Wrapping you in love, lovely Clare. Xxx 😘 💗
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Clare Pooley said:
Sweetie! 🙂 ❤ ❤ XxxX
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Resa said:
Wow! Amazing sights, and I thank you, Clare! 😀 x
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure and thank you, too Resa!
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Oh, what a gorgeous, gorgeous post, with too many things to list! Anyway, that espalier tree is one of them. And that bench. and the trees casting shadows. And the library and dining-room. And the spring flowers, of course.
I hope Elinor enjoyed her interview!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Cynthia! She did enjoy her interview but won’t be going to Cambridge in September but has accepted an offer from Norwich University of the Arts. It is closer to home and the course is exactly suited to what she wants to do.
I am glad you enjoyed the post. I would like to return there on a quieter day when I can look round the house without getting elbowed out the way!
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Cynthia Reyes said:
That’s good news, Clare. Brava to Elinor.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Cynthia.
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Jolandi Steven said:
I love the starkness of the picture of the pear tree against the abbey wall. Stunning.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Jolandi. I too loved the extremely unnatural shape of the tree.
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Beckarooney said:
Wonderful photos, a beautiful garden – the silver birches are so iconic of Anglesey Abbey. Hope outcome from interview is positive, fingers crossed 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Becka. Elinor has accepted an offer from Norwich University of the Arts as it is closer to home and is the better course for her. I hope to return to Anglesey to see the silver birches. I hope your trip to S Africa went well.
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Andrea Stephenson said:
I’m glad that Elinor’s interviews have gone well Clare and good to see that there was a nice bonus for you of being able to explore somewhere you’ve wanted to see 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Andrea. It was so pleasant to be able to leave the college and do something completely different. Very relaxing!
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Ste J said:
What a gorgeous place, the dining room is gorgeous, and the library is a life goal if ever I saw one. The trees are delightful too. Great post!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Ste J. When I return I hope there will be fewer visitors so that I can get a little closer to the books in the library. One of my favourite things is to look to see what books people have on their shelves.
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Ste J said:
Books tell you a lot about a person, I love a good nosy. I also enjoy the fear in peiple’s eyes when I ask to borrow a book. I know I have the same look too.
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Clare Pooley said:
Yes! I have lent books and never seen them again.
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Ste J said:
Having the spines broken saddens me most.
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Clare Pooley said:
Oh yes! I hate that!
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maryannniemczura said:
I enjoyed your post and the walk especially in the outdoors. I am not a fan of crowds so can only imagine how difficult it was especially when your energy level was low. It is so interesting to view your corner of paradise. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos as well.
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Mary Ann and thank you.
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maryannniemczura said:
Such a delight connecting with you.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you; and with you.
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maryannniemczura said:
My pleasure. Enjoy nature’s views this week!
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navasolanature said:
Oh, I love snowdrops and have never managed to grow them. It looks a very interesting place to visit but we are not often Cambridge way. Hope your daughter enjoys her time there.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Georgina. The only way I’ve ever been able to grow snowdrops is transplanting clumps of them ‘in the green’.
In fact my daughter has decided to do her degree at Norwich University of the Arts. Much nearer home!
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navasolanature said:
Well, that’s great, Norwich is a very good university too. I was given some clumps once but…. Maybe London clay wasn’t good for them. Not sure I would try in Spain but we have lovely wild crocus.
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Clare Pooley said:
How beautiful!
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bitaboutbritain said:
Enjoyed that, Clare, thank you; Anglesey Abbey look my kind of place! Love the look of library.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Mike. It was a place I would like to return to some time and the library was such a comfortable room!
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Rachel Ball said:
Hi Clare, it looks so cold! Thank you for taking the tour for me 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Rachel. I hope you are well xx 🙂
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Ari said:
Beautiful. I love the pear tree up the wall. What a wonderful place to visit
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Ari. It was a fantastic place! I really like to see espaliered fruit trees but am reluctant to try one myself because (a) I’m sure to get it wrong and (b) there’s such a lot of work involved in it! 😀
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Ari said:
lol I feel like that with a lot of gardening 😀 I’d love to do it but then realise just how much work is involved to set it and then maintain it! lol
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Clare Pooley said:
Lol 😀
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Luanne said:
I’ve been thinking about what you wrote about long shadows. lately, shadows have fascinated me, and I feel that I am really ignorant about how to “read” them because I think they have a lot to say.
Gorgeous photos, as well!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Luanne. I’ve always loved shadows.
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(Kitty) Cat Strawberry - Meow! said:
Wow, what beautiful place and grounds! 🙂 I have to say I love the look of the pear tree and that stone architecture of the dining room is something I really love. I hope you all had a lovely day and your daughter enjoyed her interview at the university. Also apologies for visiting your post so very late.
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Clare Pooley said:
No need to apologise, Cat xx We did have a lovely day and my daughter found her interview scary but good. She has decided to go to Norwich University of the Arts.
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(Kitty) Cat Strawberry - Meow! said:
That sounds lovely, I hope she enjoys it when she beings there 🙂 ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Cat xx
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bowlandclimber said:
Catching up on posts and just seen your fabulous photos of the Abbey – what a wonderful place, another for the ‘to visit list’.
Thanks.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you! It is a fascinating place full of Lord Fairhaven’s collections. My daughter was too tired to stay long so next time I’ll try to visit Lode Mill and see more of the garden.
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