Dodging the Showers

Had a very lucky day today.  DH and I went to the National Trust property Newark Park, near Wotton-under-Edge, to catch the Brunel Broderers exhibition there and managed to miss all the rain showers, some very heavy apparently which were round and about.We found the Tudor Hunting Lodge to be very interesting, it having survived many additions and transformations, virtual ruin and a time as a nursing home.  It has a very tranquil feeling to the house and grounds. There are also lovely walks through woodland along the old carriage drive. The lodge was originally built in 1550 and since then has had several additions over the decades that followed. A very pleasant day out.

 Beautiful stained glass on the landing which formed part of the original Hunting Lodge.

Lakeside Summer House and below the detail of one of the windows from inside looking out into the garden.

I was fascinated by the designs carved into these two gateposts which I guess must have formed part of the boundary of the parkland at one time. A wonderful source of inspiration for some quilting.