May 2005
We managed two days of touring this past May, mainly in our own neighbourhood with the exception of Sudbury Hall located in Derbyshire.
Sudbury Hall
Sudbury Hall combines two attractions in one: it is a late 17th-century Jacobean house with apparently the most sumptuous interiors of its time among English country houses; and in its 19th-century service wing is located the National Trust Museum of Childhood, which contains fascinating displays about children from the 18th century onwards.
Biddulph Grange Garden
The Victorian masterpiece Biddulph Grange Garden is but a short drive away in near Congleton but it took us a long time to make the trip, precisely because it is so close. It was well worth the wait, as even Kassie will attest. She thoroughly enjoyed discovering the various gardens, many inspired by countries of the world, accessed through tunnels, pathways and seemingly secret passageways.
Gawsworth Hall
Near Macclesfield we happened upon Gawsworth Hall and its Crafts Fair, run by the Creative Craft Association, which is dedicated to the promotion of handmade British Crafts. We didn't manage a tour of the ancient manor house (pictured bottom left), renowed for both intrigue and romance. Apparently in 1712, it was the subject of the most famous duel in English history, between Lord Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton who both perished duelling over the estates. The Hall was also home to Mary Fitton who some contend to be the Dark Lady of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. She is believed to haunt not only the house but the church and surrounding roads as well. Sadly, we saw no evidence of poor Mary whose career as Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I was cut short in 1602 when Mary was thrown in the Tower for falling pregnant after an affair with the Earl of Pembroke.