Welcome inside Seaton Delaval Hall
Early this year I first shared Northumberland’s Seaton Delaval Hall with you. At that time it was wholely encased in scaffolding and a woeful sight. I breathed a huge sigh of delighted relief to find it standing proud and unencumbered on my return this Summer.
Last week we had a wander in the beautiful gardens and I promised a look inside. I didn’t know then the theme of this week’s Thursday’s Special. My sun beaming in is as close as I get to the ‘gold inside’, but I hope you will join me anyway.
Let’s take a look. So much has been accomplished!
And then we step inside. The height of the hall is no longer a surprise to me but, looking up, I’m happy to see the Muses restored to their lofty niches. Sunlight illuminates the silent figures.
Solemn, and missing a limb or two
The conservation team have done an amazing job. The 30 foot high Central Hall was gutted by fire and left open to the elements for many years. Even in its fragile state there was a grace and a majesty to the building. The team have lifted and relaid the tiled marble floor, and the stucco statues have been strengthened, repaired and returned to their original niches.
The six statues represent the muses of sculpture, painting, architecture, astronomy, geography and music. Apparently they were made in situ, from an iron framework covered in tile, brick and plaster to produce a mannequin. Muslin beneath layers of stucco plaster created a very realistic appearance. Conservation enthusiasts might enjoy the Hall’s blog.
Mounting the West Staircase, I look out at the gardens
And down the elliptical stairwell
Finding myself up close and personal with the muses
It seems that the Hall was always graceful and beautiful
As it is again, today!
It was a glorious day and I strolled the gardens, and then was about to head for the tea rooms when I spied an open door, off the courtyard. I hadn’t noticed it before and curiosity impelled me inside. Be prepared for some serious treasure. I wasn’t!
Click on a photo to view in more detail
The Fairfax Jewel
The treasures never end!
The Delavals were great collectors and the evidence is everywhere. A complete treasure trove! Much of the history of the Hall is on my previous post, and you will find additional details (including how to get there) on this National Trust link to Seaton Delaval Hall.
I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit and hope that you did too. If you ask nicely you can have oozy cream on your hot chocolate fudge cake in the tea rooms. Very nice! Now I need to take you to Paula’s place for her interpretation of the gold inside. It’s beautiful- of course!
restlessjo 
Really terrific pics!
Love all of them , their composition , light and perspective…Wow!
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It’s a fabulous place and a real pleasure to share with you 🙂 Thanks!
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Oh my, breathtakingly beautiful! What a wonderful tour you took us on…thank you!
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A bit grand by beach house standards 🙂 I think we’d need a maid or two 🙂 Glad of your company!
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Looks a fascinating place!
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It’s beautiful, Sue, and there’s a lot more than I saw on my last visit. 🙂
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I’ll say it again…I need to take a journey ‘up North’!
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Such a lovely place. I love the photo of the spiral staircase with its delicate balustrade and I love the colour of the stonework – the grey and the cream columns – and of course the view of the formal rose garden. They have done a great job restoring this jewel and you have done a great job sharing it with us 🙂
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Thanks, Jude! 🙂 Bit fraught tonight. Got ‘the girls’ coming for supper soon. I’ll be fine once the food is on the table 🙂
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Just stunning, Jo!! I was particularly drawn to the exterior columns because the colors give them such a golden/brownish marbled effect. It’s all so hard to take in – these massive places that people actually inhabited!
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And boy did they have parties! 🙂 🙂 We could play ‘dressie ups’ 🙂
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And have ladies’ maids 😀. (As if I’d ever want a staff of help intruding on my solitude!!)
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Imagine- someone to pour the cornflakes, milk and sugar into your bowl at breakfast! (I know- that’s a disgusting breakfast, but it’s what my husband likes 😦 )
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what an great job in restoring this stately building! thanks for your great photos and wonderful history, Jo! love the spiral staircase 🙂
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It’s lovely, isn’t it? I really enjoyed my visit, LolaWi. Thanks for joining me 🙂
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Restoration of old beautiful buildings, amaze me! The time invested to restore them has to be painstaking work!
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I’ve watched documentaries on restoration work, Lynn, and I find it fascinating too. It would be amazing to be involved with something like this! 🙂
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There are some lovely golden tones in the area of treasures….golden yellow walls, a beautiful yellow vase and then the jewel container. What an enormous job it must have been to restore the Hall.
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Still ongoing, Ann, but they’ve done a tremendous job since I saw it last Summer. It’s a real credit to them. 🙂
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The conservation team has done a great job – the place looks wonderful. How exciting to find the unexpected treasures.
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Aren’t they wicked, Elaine! It must be fabulous to work on something like this and see the results 🙂
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It’s an impressive site, Jo. The ‘gold is inside’ indeed. Thanks for sharing so much detail and photos. You’re amazing.
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I was very happy to see it looking so good, Lucile. It was a little sorry for itself previously. 🙂 Thank you!
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I can imagine your happiness as the restoration looks impeccable.
Cheers!
🙂
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Excellent, Jo! Your photographs are fabulous! I love the garden shot.
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Those gardens were so nice on a summery day, Jill, but I loved the whole package. 🙂 Thanks a lot, hon!
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You’ve captured the grandeur and elegance of this house beautifully Jo. I enjoyed your lovely photos.
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It was such a pleasure to see it in use again, and people enjoying it. Thank you 🙂
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The gold for me inside the restoration is that staircase, unlike any staircase I’ve ever seen.
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It’s a beauty, Meg 🙂
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I like your photos, Jo and the renovated treasure you so generously share 🙂 Thank you.
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How very interesting. I was intrigued by the description of how the muses were made. The plaster over the muslin technique has got me curious. I just might have to try something like that when the weather is warmer.
You did find gold inside in the shape of a vase and a jewelled box.
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I thought you would be interested in that aspect, Suzanne. And yes- I knew there was a little gold to share 🙂
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great read and pictures too. Each person sees the same place in a different way. do read my blogs to see India through my eyes: http://www.travelwithmukul.wordpress.com and http://www.enchantedforests.wordpress.com.
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Thank you very much, Mukul Chand. I will be delighted to return your visit. 🙂
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that is interesting 🙂
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Thank you very much, Joshi 🙂 You will love Ron’s ‘gold inside’ post. Please do go and say hello. He’s a proper photographer, like yourself.
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Witam, dziękuję za mnóstwo wycieczek wirtualnych, pozdrawiam serdecznie 🙂
Zapraszam – https://www.flickr.com/photos/zzby/sets/
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Witam i dzienki, Zbyszek! 🙂 🙂
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🙂
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