As summer fades to autumn here are some sunny memories of Barrington Court, just a hop across the border into Somerset.
Barrington is an Elizathen pile constructed in the 1550s of glorious yellow hamstone. As the years passed it gradually fell into decay until purchased by the National Trust in the 1900s who then leased it to Colonel Lyle of the Tate and Lyle sugar family.
The colonel then spent many years restoring the house to its former glory lining the walls with his huge collection of Elizabethan panelling.
Barrington reverted to the Trust in 1986 but was partially used as a showroom for repro furniture until 2008.
Now at last visitors have complete run of the house, which, unusually for a country house is empty of all the overstuffed sofas and fading paraphernalia that usually fills a stately home making it far easier to appreciate the spaces and Colonel Lyle's panelled interiors.
The gardens, designed by Gertrude Jekyll are also something special; even I, who thinks that a philistine is related to a columbine was impressed by the colourful abundance and variety.
Study them at leisure sitting on the terrace enjoying coffee and cake (that's something I do know about...)
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| Tea on the terrace |
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