Jo’s Monday walk : Lotherton Hall

I’m still in garden mode today.  That’s what inevitably comes from a visit to England.  At the suggestion of two good friends a jaunt out to a rather wonderful Edwardian country estate took place.  Celebrating 50 years of being open to the public, Lotherton Hall is a pleasant ride out of Leeds City Centre on the number 64 bus.  Amazing how quickly you can leave the city behind and be surrounded by rolling English countryside and pretty villages.  And wonder of wonders, the sun was beaming down!  Gardens first, in case the weather changed its mind.

The hall was once owned by the Gascoigne family and the formal gardens were designed between 1893 and 1914.  The rose terrace is overlooked by a remarkable bronze sculpture, ‘Peony Priest’.  I didn’t take as many photos as I normally would because I was in excellent company, and there was much catching up to do.  As well as that, a Vintage Fair had taken pride of place in the gardens.  Stalls with all manner of garments, glassware, china and books filled the lawns.  A little browsing and, to save the contents of our purses, you understand, it was into the Coach House for coffee (and a scone with jam and cream  🙂  ).

A tiny chapel in the grounds is dedicated to St. James and dates back to 1170.  It was restored during the First World War for the use of soldiers recuperating at Lotherton.  The serenity must have seemed a boon to them.

Elsewhere in the grounds a Beatles Tribute Band was tuning up.  Serenity destroyed, but there were lots of toe tappers.  Our visit to the hall was accompanied by the familiar strains of ‘It’s been a Hard Day’s Night’.  It was all I could do not to join in the chorus as I looked through the window.

The hall itself truly captured my imagination.  It brings to life another era, and tells the stories of the Gascoignes and the families that worked for them, in an ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ fashion.  Sir Alvary Gascoigne had a highly successful diplomatic career and this is reflected in the exquisite furniture and fabulous chinoiserie throughout the house.

I’m sure that many people would enjoy this step back in time, but the Lotherton Hall experience doesn’t end there.  An enormous range of birds, many of which I have never seen before, inhabit the aviary.  Moving from one compound to the next presented continuous surprises.  I’m not a fan of zoos in general, but there were lots of happy children and their parents in the park.

We’d done a lot of wandering and it was time for a substantial meal.  My friend’s suggestion of the ‘Crooked Billet’ pub, just 1.6 miles away, was a huge success.  The proof of the pudding is in the eating, isn’t it?  And surely Eton Mess can’t be fattening!

Their only son is getting married this Friday.  I wish him and his bride a wonderful life together, and hope they’ll be as happy as his Mum and Dad.

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More walks to share this week.  Thank you all for contributing and for reading.  Join me any time you like, here on Jo’s Monday walk.

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I’m stealing from a master this week.  I’m sure most of you will know the work of Lignum Draco :

Le Mont Saint-Michel

And, just over the water, Jude focuses on what she does best- a Cornish garden :

Trelissick Garden in Summer

While Margaret does her best to cheer us, with a dash of ‘je ne sais quoi’ :

Le Jardin Extraordinaire : a late summer treat

This lady never ceases to amaze me with the places she goes, and the resulting photographs :

A stroll around a stadium

While Lady Lee has the best holidays ever :

Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion)

A challenging walk from Cheryl, but well worth it, I know you’ll agree :

Hyangiram Hermitage Hike in Summer

While Irene takes us to some stunning heights in Hawaii :

Top of Diamond Head

And Teabee reminds me of the beauty of English heather :

Randonée/Hike to High Rigg, St. John’s in the Vale, Cumbria

Alice’s turn to take us through some locks this week  :

Lockport Flight of Five

Drake shares another snippet of his fascinating life :

Not bad but Baden-Wurt..Berg

And Janet demonstrates her fondness for animals :

Jo’s Monday Walk…the dog days of summer

If you’re just feeling lazy, Sandra has the answer :

Afternoon Tea at the Empress, Victoria, BC

But Cathy strides on with determination in every step :

(Camino day 33) Hospital de Orbigo to Astorga

Nothing left to do but wish you all a great week.  See you soon!

117 comments

  2. What a lovely, lovely place, Jo! And so thoughtful of the sun to make an appearance. I can only imagine how wonderful the place must have seemed to recuperating soldiers, so much more so that even to today’s visitors. Eton Mess is such an unappealing name for something that looks so delicious. 🙂

    I’m back with more dogs today:

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2019/09/09/jos-monday-walk-going-to-the-dogs/

    janet

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  4. Pingback: Heligan – life at the edge

  5. Not a place I have heard of, but then when I lived in Yorkshire I never had the time nor money to go anywhere. Love the name of that pub! Must be some history attached to that one, and you have made me drool looking at that Eton mess. One of my favourite summer puddings. I have another English (well Cornish) garden for you again today. One of the famous ones 😀
    https://wp.me/s79zFr-heligan

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  6. Looks like a very interesting place Jo. The house looks amazing and I love that piano, it’s beautiful, as is that gorgeous black and red carriage in the gardens. The little chapel looks very peaceful but I’m not sure about a Beatles tribute band – not really in keeping with the house and it’s tranquil surroundings somehow. I must be showing my age! 🙂

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  10. Pingback: A dawdle down under – in Liverpool – Travel with Intent

      1. I did like him Jo, just wondered a bit more about the art work that’s all 🙂 Yes the eyes are good as I didn’t open the house at all and only went outside for small bits of time when it was very smoky. You having a good day so far? x

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      2. I imagine there’s a story linked to the diplomat but I didn’t have time for much research. 😕 Spent the morning litter picking and then coffee with the group. Collapsed on the roof now 😅

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  17. Eton Mess is definitely not fattening if you are out for the day, not a chance. Lotherton looks great, love the carriage and statues and a Beatles soundtrack is just the icing on the Eton Mess isn’t it?

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  19. My son just visited grandpa in Hull and sent us a pic of him eating Eton Mess. It looked rather yummy! Lotherton Hall looks gorgeous. I love the piano.

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