Sunday 6 November 2016

A place called Baddesley Clinton

Another recent trip away and we stopped off at this National Trust property. Baddesley Clinton. This time of year a lot of the National Trust properties have closed for the season, some remaining open for weekends.  We were pleased to be in an area where this one remained open during the week and so made the most of it.  I didn't expect a house with a moat though...















































































The front of the building was made of stonework, but the sides were brick.  The stonework made for a grand entrance and statement.












17 comments:

Eileen H said...

What a stunning house to visit and most unusual to have a moat!

Marie Smith said...

Such a beautiful place. One can imagine how much it would cost to maintain it as a family home today.

CL Christian said...

What an amazing place! Love the moat & stain glass windows. They were certainly proud of their son & his marriage.

ann @ studiohyde said...

It was unusual. Can you imagine the insurance company asking is it near water! lol 😆

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thank goodness the National Trust have it to maintain, even they struggle to get the funds for these places. I'm glad I volunteer at my local property, it all helps.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Yes, they obviously were proud. Quite something having stained glass windows mentioning you isn't it.

ann @ studiohyde said...

I realised too late that I had initially spelt moat wrongly - where is spell check when you need it, lol!!!

CJ Kennedy said...

Moat and stained glass. How cool is that?

Christine said...

I love moats!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Oh they had it all there CJ ☺️

ann @ studiohyde said...

Was lovely to see it, they had ducks swimming around it too.

robin cox walsh said...

I wonder what a moat does to one's foundation???? Insurance indeed! :-/

Judy said...

Interesting! Most of Dutch old stately homes like this have moats, never wondered why.

ann @ studiohyde said...

I think they must have dug down deep for those foundations don't you. back in the day with no machinery like they have now as well!!! oh boy, I feel sorry for the poor workmen who had that job. ⛏

ann @ studiohyde said...

It was the first National Trust property we have seen with a moat, took me by surprise actually :)

Shammickite said...

That is a very grand old house. I bet it would be a bit chilly and damp to live there in the winter though. Established in the 13th century according to wikipedia. Also it says "In 1438, John Brome, Under-Treasurer of England, bought the manor, which passed to his son, Nicholas. Nicholas was responsible for the extensive rebuilding of the nearby parish church dedicated to Saint Michael, done as penance for killing the parish priest, a murder reputed to have taken place in the great house itself. The house from this period was equipped with gun-ports, and possibly a drawbridge." Quite a history!!!
The ducks were obviously enjoying the water.

ann @ studiohyde said...

You have been doing your homework Shammickite! 😆 The house certainly looked full of history and mystery. It had a hidden chamber in the floor in one room (not so hidden these days as it is pointed out to visitors) where the priests would hide down inside it, but then I think with the history there I would have hidden too! 🙁