Jo’s Monday walk : Spring at Crook Hall, Durham

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Stroll along the river bank with me, in the heart of Durham City, and let me take you to an idyllic garden.  I intended to visit a new exhibition at Durham Cathedral but, as luck would have it, it was closed that day.  I’m a firm believer in serendipity and, as the gentle sunshine warmed my cheeks, I suddenly knew where I wanted to go.

Crook Hall dates from 13th century and is a vision in golden ivy-clad stone.  It sits back a little from the footpath and the gently elevated position makes for majestic views over Durham. Crook is a Grade 1 listed Medieval hall with a rich and colourful history.  As all such places should, it has a resident ghost, ‘The White Lady’, and has been enjoyed by such luminaries as William Wordsworth and John Ruskin.  Today I’m going to focus on the garden rooms, described on the website as each having their own personality.

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It’s impossible to ignore the constant presence of the house.  It provides a benign backdrop, yet with an almost tangible air of mystery.

Close by the house, a secret garden has been in existence for more than 700 years.

Statuary is an integral part of the gardens.  Nymphs and maidens shake out their tresses, demurely lower their eyes, or gaze seductively out.  Monks perform solemn duties, urns cast playful shadows and a rather mischievous Puck plays his pan pipes, sheltered beneath a weathered tree.

The golden lady follows me with her eyes, and what of the lady reclining, neglected, on the bare earth?  She must have a story to tell. Ornate chairs and benches invite me to linger, admiring the pure white snowdrops.  Beyond the lake, fiery witch hazel brands the limpid blue sky.

I drift from ‘room to room’, each leading to the next, yet independent and sufficient in itself.  A mighty lion bench, breathing fire, gives me pause.

Through a gate, precisely trimmed hedges in the newest of these still evolving gardens, etched with remnants of winter shadows.

Leaving the house behind, I wander down towards the rusty maze, bereft of leaves this early in the year.  Did you glimpse the koala, dangling in the tree?  And yet another selfie!  One more surprise awaits- a softly slumbering giant!

And then I’m back at the entrance and The Garden Gate Cafe. (open all day, separately from the Hall, but there are Tea Rooms inside the Hall too) The Sparkling Afternoon Tea looked very inviting but my lift had arrived and so I’ll have to disappoint you yet again.  No cake!  How come you missed this place, Jude?  It would have been a natural for the Garden Challenge.

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Down at the river bank, this scene awaits, but if you turn and walk back towards the cathedral you might just be able to catch the exhibition, Open Treasure.  And if not, Durham Cathedral is always beautiful.

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Lots of walks to share this week and I hope you can spare time to visit as many as you can. Especially as I won’t be posting a walk next week.  I will, I hope, be skip, hop and jumping (or walking) in Florence.  I don’t want to schedule a walk in my absence because it’s too hard to catch up again afterwards.  So I hope you’ll forgive me if I hang on to any walks you share till the following week?  Details are all on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

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Eddy was close in my footsteps last week, but his were even cooler!

Do you want owt fromt’ shops?

There’s nothing nicer than a gentle stroll with Jude.  Treat yourself!

Historic Uphill Lincoln

Anabel ventured further up the coast from me, in some delightful villages :

Fife Coastal Path

Another coastal path for you, but Eunice is over on the other coast :

Anglesey Coastal Path- the White Arch and Tyger’s memorial

Two for the price of one from Eunice this week!

A long canal walk

Imagine my surprise on seeing Ana’s post!  Right on my very own doorstep :

Strolling along the River Wear in Durham

Quite a leap of the imagination from Durham to Buenos Aires, Ana :

Beloved Argentinian characters at Paseo de la Historieta

Jackie’s having fun down Mexico way- lovely bougainvillea!

A Mexican walk

I do love Woolly’s perspective on life!

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Lady Lee is completely at home in the Philippines :

What’s in Bohol?

And Liesbet is pretty good at balancing a budget!

Laguna Beach, CA- On a Shoestring

Amy’s back, and she’s chosen to ride, but who can blame her?

An Elephant Ride

I love Yvette’s take on life, but brrrh, those Falls look chilly!

Walk with Jo in Niagara, NY (doors and windows) 

Drake is always irrepressible.  Got to love him!

Warm feet and cold nose

Isn’t it always walking weather?  Well mostly, when you’re with Susan :

Walking, Weather or Not

And Carol has a most appropriate question :

When is a Walk not a Walk?

Rounding off with a highly informative walk from Denzil.  He’s doing a grand job promoting Belgium :

Walking from Tervuren to Bertem

And Cathy, beavering away in the States, but still found time to walk with me :

Philadelphia : the south mural arts walk 

Remember- no Monday walk next week!  But I’ll try to find you some cake in Florence.  Stay safe till the next time!

 

174 comments

  3. Pingback: Jo’s-Monday-Walk2017-Wk08_Rhineland-1 – WoollyMuses

  9. A lovely walk to share with you Jo. We were going to try and stay at the Crook Gardens, but the flat there is very expensive so we quashed that idea. Then I thought we’d park there and walk to the cathedral, but roadworks in the town put paid to that idea so we used the Park ‘n Ride into the city and that only really left us time to do the cathedral. Next time maybe 🙂

    More Lincoln for you: https://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2017/02/20/lincolns-minster-yard/

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    1. Pressed too soon! I saw the selfie and the koala – I bet someone is missing him! And I love the irises – always love to see them as my mum’s name was Iris and she had the bluest eyes too. I wonder what the poor monk thinks about sharing his space with those wanton fillies? All in all a pretty garden and one to see in all seasons I imagine. You are lucky having Durham on your doorstep, I liked the place a lot. 🙂

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      1. It is a nice city! The Open Treasure exhibition space looks interesting, though not cheap, of course! It opens off the cloisters. Have to bite the bullet and take a look some time. 🙂 🙂 I like irises too, especially the tiny damson coloured ones. Nice about your Mum 🙂

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      2. We left blue skies to do our usual go south and find the rain trick! 😦 Remember Burton Agnes? Phenomenal building, now that we’ve been inside to see an orchid show. It was the last day of their snowdrop walk. Better late than never. Haven’t even started my Monday walk yet so wish me luck- and thank you!

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  11. Lovely post as ever. Not sure I would have left the dragon as his fiery breath would have been perfect to sit beside in the cool air. Hope all is well with you despite the lack of cake.

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    1. That dragon was striking from a distance but a little strange close to. And it was surprisingly warm that afternoon! 🙂 🙂 The work situation for James has become increasingly difficult, but we met his new and very lovely lady for the first time at the weekend and he had a big smile on his face. How are things with you and Robert?

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      1. oh perhaps then I wouldn’t sit there. Sorry to hear that about James’ work but how fabulous you have met the new woman in his life.
        We well apart from I have picked up a cold, so not done much for a few days. Hoping to get a long walk in though tomorrow 🙂

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  14. It always astounds me to read of homes dating back more than 8 centuries. So many stories must have been seen by these walls and windows. If only they could talk, and what a beautiful garden. I hope you find lots of amazing cakes in Florence. Have a marvellous adventure.

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    1. Thank you very much, Carol! I think Mick will be keeping a lookout for cakes as a bit of a respite from walking. 🙂 There’s quite an interesting link in the post to the history of Crook Hall. I don’t tend to write much of it because not everyone is interested, and if they are it’s easy enough to follow the link.

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      1. No enthusiasm for the Minster sadly but we visited the coast at Hornsea where there was a wild sea on a windy day and then to Hull and the Museums which are well worth a visit!

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      3. Hull is a dreadful place to get to. Awful approach from both west or north but the city centre is really worth a visit. The Old Town and the Museum Quarter and then the old docks, the Aquarium and the modern marina are all worth a visit. If you consider a stay over try the Premier Inn, it is in a superb location and has free parking while you stay.

        As for Beverley, I don’t remember a pottery but it is a nice town, well worth a visit, especially on a Saturday when there is a really good market!

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  18. Enjoy your visit to Florence Jo. We all look forward to your return. This walk tells me how long ago I last visited Durham, 1974, oh I am guilty. 😥

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  19. Another lovely Monday morning with you, my friend. I hope the weekend was as pleasant. You really surpass yourself with your prose today, and the photos (as always) are great. That golden riverbank shot is particular balm for the soul.

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    1. Hello, darlin! It’s been a full on weekend and James lady was really lovely. Every little helps right now! 🙂 🙂 Thank you so much, Meg! How is the weather in Warsaw now? Farewells to beloved son today? Sending hugs to carry to Australia.

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      1. He leaves here eagerly – or at least as eager as you can be at the prospect of 30 hours travelling and transferring – at 10.30 for a 3.40 flight! He’s a good member of our paranoid travelling family. Hugs back to you, and I’m so glad you liked the lady.

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