Monday 31 August 2009

Dorset Delights

Mr Custard announced at breakfast.. put your walking boots on.. we are off on a 'Jolly' today. Who was I to object and so clambered into the 'mighty Honda' having just scraped through it's M.O.T, to be driven to unknown destination. How I love an adventure.. truly. I would like to think I was one of the 'Famous Five' in a previous incarnation.. never happier than embarking on journey to unknown pastures and discovering treasures.
The treasure I was taken to in the folds of the Dorset hills, is a real jewel.. bright and shiny (the sun did just about manage to emerge) and rare.. particularly as we were just about the only visitors.
The place I talk of is Mapperton House.. a very special place in my heart.. discovered on one of our past rambles to this corner of Dorset. Without a need for 'Charmiane' our opiniated Sat Nav, our motor seemed instinctively to know which turning to take, along winding lanes until we arrived at the impressive entrance to the house ...What a beautiful house it is too.. though sadly we had missed the date for entrance to the house but were very content to wander around the gardens as these had made a great impression on our first visit a few years ago.Notice the small alcoves carved in to the gate posts.. I suppose these were for footmen to rest as they certainly provided a comfy seat in which to tarry a while..
On to the garden.. a masterpiece of landscaping and design.. I hardly know where to begin this tour.. so I first I will tempt you with some flowering abundance.. Japanese Anemones..There are so many little nooks and crannies in the garden..little corners to sit in seclusion To take tea... Or just to admire the stunning vista..What I love so much about this garden is the romance of it.. It would be the perfect place for a party of decadence and frivolity.. I can just see the ladies in their silk flapper dresses perched demurely on the stone benches, of which there are many, whilst being wooed by men in sharp dark suits and pencil thin moustaches.. What a fertile imagination.. as fertile as this gorgeous terraced garden.. Herbaceous border..Imagine sipping cocktails in the Orangery.. dressed in your finery...I would have to take a pair of secateurs in my little beaded bag to snip away at the plentiful topiary.. It was getting a little unruly in places..There is very much an air of 'The Draughtsman's Contract' about this place.. lots of places to conjure up clandestine trysts..Not too sure I could cope with those cobwebs..The more I think about it... I suspect that I was a woman of a certain repute (!) in a former life.. much less of a wholesome Enid Blyton character..
This place brings out the devil in me..Just as well I had Mr Custard with me to keep me in check!

16 comments:

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Wow Michele, I too have been on a Dorset Jolly! Mine splilled over into Devon too.
What a beautiful House and Gardens, a lovely gem to aim for on a future visit.
Gorgeous pictures, the orangery looks magnificent, I would be more than happy to sip champagne in all my finery in such a place! I think you are absoloutely right about the romance that is intrinsic in special places like this, sigh........

Have a lovely week, Sarah x

hens teeth said...

It is a crime Michele, that this beautiful house does not belong to you.

sassytrash said...

It was really fun to visit Mapperton House through your photos! The gardens are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your "jolly" day trip.

Ragged Roses said...

Oh well how about a Bright Young Thing by night and A Famous Five during the day (I could by Aunt Fanny...). What a wonderful place, truly perfect. Cocktails in the orangery sounds fab, meet you there at 7pm? As for the gardens, love the nook (or is it a cranny) sitting on the bench.
Mxxx
I'll email you about tips on trimming topiary.

Chelle said...

Those pictures are just gorgeous. I would have a heyday walking around and looking at all of that in person. It is so much fun to think of the former owners enjoying all of its beauty. Thanks for sharing!

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Oh yes! I'll name that pub in one!

You are absoloutely right it was the Masons Arms!

We have been on an invisible thread haven't we! And yes Stamp as Troy is the way forward :D

lOVE S-J,DTL x

Teena Vallerine said...

Wonderful - although didn't the draughtsman meet a rather sticky end? Wasn't there a clue in the laundry? t.xxx

Clare said...

It just looks stunning...we may have to visit sometime soon!thanks for sharing those photos.

Renaissance Grace said...

Hi Michele,
I'm at Brympton D'Evercy in Somerset this coming weekend we are finalizing the details of the Interior Design residential courses I'd love to show you and your hubby round.
Susan

Renaissance Grace said...

Hi Thanks for visiting my blog I can't believe how addictive this is!
Unfortunately Brympton is not open to the public I'm just an unofficial guide!
Susan

jane and the happy crow said...

What a beautiful place to visit, really dreamy and romantic and weren't you lucky to have it mostly to yourselves. Did you finish off with bags of lettuce, heaps of tomatoes and lashings of ginger beer?! Jane xxx

Unknown said...

Lovely house, wonderful garden. Back to blogging now that summer is almost over. Hope you had a great summer.
Rosie x

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures... that house is stunning and the garden is definitely very romantic. What a lovely jolly indeed!

Alexandria ♥ said...

Hi Michele,
Ah, a road trip!!
Your photos transport me to foreign lands, and time:)
~finds~

Pretty Practicals said...

What a beautiful garden, it's given me lots of inspiration, all I need now is an army of gardeners to tackle the jungle outside my back door!
Chat soon, Liz

Kate said...

Whenever I read a blog from England where all the old architecture and country lanes are displayed I am expecting to see women in long gowns and men in tophats in the pictures. I am always a little nonplussed to see modern day people doing modern day things. England is such a wonderful country and I love to read blogs from there.