-
Entangled Pasts at the Royal Academy
They say every picture tells a story so perhaps an art exhibition is an anthology of works with the objective of looking at a subject from many and varied perspectives. This is certainly true of the new ‘Entangled Pasts’ which…
-
An English Woman Abroad
In the 17th and 18th centuries young gentlemen were encouraged to take a tour of Europe in order to complete their education and broaden their horizons. It enabled them to discover the cultural wonders of Europe and perhaps to sow…
-
Interior Inspiration
We’ve been working on a house renovation project for some time now and have had to focus on all the necessary but less exciting tasks: roof repairs, rotten beams, new windows, new boiler etc. But FINALLY, this year, we can…
-
Barons Hall at Raby Castle
There are a few historic homes that we come back to time and time again, Raby Castle is one such place. Having visited on a number of occasions, exploring both the wonderful grounds and splendid interiors, we often think what…
-
Snowdrops
Yesterday’s finer weather has brought out more of the snowdrops in the garden. They are cultivars and we pick one bunch every year, to enjoy indoors. They have a very delicate scent and we have a few different varieties, including…
-
Beckford’s Tower
If you drive into Bath along the Lansdown Road you will pass Beckford’s Tower on the right. This extraordinary architectural folly was built in 1827 in the neoclassical style on Lansdown Hill. It was financed by an eccentric, wealthy local…
-
Weaving some magic
We’re looking back to North Norfolk today to view this stunning room at Blickling Hall. It was created to accommodate the large tapestry which depicts Peter the Great defeating the Swedes at the Battle of Poltswa in 1709. We believe…
-
The Society Beauty
Sophia Catherine Musters was a noted society beauty and here Sir Joshua Reynolds has portrayed her, at the age of 24, as Hebe. The latter was the Goddess of Youth and cupbearer of Mountain Olympus. This rather daring portrait at…
-
A moment of reflection
It’s the last day of January and already there is a feeling that Spring is on the way. The evenings are a little bit lighter and give us hope when too much of what is happening in the world at…
-
‘The season is so sharp’ – Charles 1
On the 30 January 1649, Charles I walked through St James Park. It was a cold morning and the King had chosen to wear two shirts as he did not want the watching crowds to think he was shivering through…
