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Kedleston Hall, a grand house, parkland and pleasure grounds built to impress: another ‘jolly.’ Part One revisiting my post during lockdown.

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Drawing on the monuments of ancient Rome and the designs of the 16th century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, Robert Adam was chosen to be the architect 'resolved to spare no Expence, with £10,000 a year, Good Temper'd & having taste himself for the Arts.'

Adam set out to build a house that would rival Chatsworth.

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A new Jolly: Sissinghurst Castle Garden – Vita Sackville-West, Virginia Woolf, and Violet Trefusis come to mind. Sharing this again…

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Sissinghurst and Vita Sackville-West...
Deep in the countryside with views over a lush valley at one side of the cottage and in the distance, views to the sea on a clear day from the front.

The fields directly behind the cottage host a large herd of very inquisitive cows, who love to pop their heads over the fence when they spy anyone in the garden, and 'moo' their greetings whilst their heads turn this way and that, watching what's going on with the humans.

Family garden (c) Jane Risdon 2015

The garden was full of colour still, shimmering in the heat of the day - we had two glorious days -  with the scent of Honeysuckle and Roses drifting on the air early mornings, and late evenings, mingled with the aroma of mown hay, and the sweet smell of the cattle.

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