Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Belton House




When we visited Belton House, we both looked at each other and said- "They call this a house!  It's more like a palace."  Today I'd like to show you what I mean and you tell me what you think!


Come along now as we park our car and go inside to visit a property owned by The National Trust in Belton, Grantham, Lincolnshire.  In 1984 the family decided to give up ownership.  One can imagine the enormous cost of keeping up such a mansion and its grounds.


It's a lovely afternoon to explore the property that was built for Sir John Brownlow in the 1680's.  




Come along quickly through the courtyard gate, as I do believe we are about to be poured upon.  Make sure you always bring your brolly when touring Britain as one minute it's beautiful and then not! 


Stepping inside of Belton House we immediately realize the enormous wealth the Brownlow family had through the generations. 


We enter into Marble Hall so named for the black and white marble tiles.


We are lucky to be visiting on a day that is not crowded.  I understand now that they have gone to timed ticket entrances because Belton House is quite popular.


We are directed up the staircase and notice the beautiful woodwork as we ascend.



The canopy bed coverings and wallpapers were stunning.  This bedroom has the original hand painted 18th century wallpaper. 


This is the Queen's Room.  Maybe you can see the embroidered AR (Adelaide Regina) on the bed head.  When Queen Adelaide (widow of William IV) visited in 1841 this room was renovated for her.  Remember Victoria became Queen when William IV died.



I love to look out the windows to see the garden that is teasing me to enter.  Most of the shades were drawn so as not to fade any of the fabrics or paint, but this shade was open a wee bit.



The lovely library has the most extraordinary collection of books in the house. 



Over the course of 300 years, 11,000 books have been amassed by the families that lived in Belton House.  There are rare maps from the 18th and 19th century that were hand colored.



Can you spot the hidden door in this photo?  Many grand old homes and castles had these.  This one is obvious, but others are quite difficult to find.







This 1725 piece of art captured my attention.  It's titled:  The Belton Conversation Piece by Philippe Mercier
As I was researching more about this painting I learned that the Tyrconnel family is featured.  Lord Tyrconnel on the left with his wife in the wheel chair, and Lady Tyrconnel's cousin and her husband, in front of the south facade.  The figure of the artist is on the bottom left. This piece is considered one of the first conversation pieces of art in Britain.


Another peek out the window!  My goodness...how lovely. 



Another beautiful collection of antique volumes.


Belton House is home to many amazing tapestries.  In the Tapestry room the 3rd Earl of Brownlow wanted to feature his Diogenes collection.  This room was remodeled for him in 1890.


The Mortlake tapestries were made of silk and wool in London.


There is a lovely chapel at Belton House. The gallery level looks down on the floor level of the house.  A place that allowed both servants and owners to worship.


Leaving the interior of the home we want to take a peek at the gardens.


The Italian Garden is so lovely with the Orangery in view.  The church you see holds the tombs of the family members (the Brownlows and the Custs) that lived in Belton House.

The property at Belton House is enormous and covers many acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and follies.  
I do hope you enjoyed your visit.  I think we need to stop for tea in the tea room.  But, I must ask, do you think of this as a house or a palace? ♥










28 comments:

  1. I see what you mean about the palace aspects, but I would continue to think of it as Belton House. I recently read a wonderful novel by Anthony Trollope titled "The Belton Estate", written in 1865. I wonder if he thought of this house when he wrote the book. I love the library of old books; I am a retired librarian and map cataloger.

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    1. Terra, I must look up that novel. How interesting it sounds. Since you are a librarian you must go online and look at the books that are in the collection. http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/results?SearchTerms=books+at+belton+house
      Of course Belton House is the given name and I respect that, but was quite surprised. ♥

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  2. Wow, I just think of it as a Mansion I guess. It's huge no matter what. I love the wallpaper in the rooms and now thinking about wallpapering a room in my home. The tapestries and paintings are amazing. The bed chamber drapes (not sure what you call them) I am sure must have been in much need on many a cold night.
    The gardens are fabulous. The gardener must be constantly tending them. betsy

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    1. Betsy, Belton House was so enormous inside and out. A mansion is a good description. The wallpapers in most of these properties were so lovely. And the gardens make me sigh. Wouldn't it be fun to work alongside one of the gardeners? Thank you for stopping by Belton House with us! ♥

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  3. OMG ..You are so fortunate to have visited so many beautiful homes... You are right, this one is more like a palace...the bedroom elegance outstanding, with all the beautiful draperies... and I do adore tapestries...I brought quite a few from France... but I imagine the Belton displays would be so much more luxurious and enormous . The gardens are to die for ... Heavens, just the window views take my breath away . One could spend hours, week and years going through that fabulous library of books... I can smell them from here... ( SIGH) I do love everything old and all the little secrets that are hidden within the walls and pages.... Thank You for the lovely tour...Hugs

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    1. Zaa, you sound like me! Belton House could take years to really enjoy. It's really like a museum you want to go back to again and again. If I ever get a chance to return it would be to spend it only in the gardens. They were never ending! Have a lovely afternoon. ♥

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  4. Goodness that is the most beautiful of places you've shown! I adore that marvelous staircase and the large pictures. The bedrooms are amazing. The fabrics and trim are fantastic. Love the gardens- always happy to see that you took time to take pictures of them!

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    1. Liz, the staircase in Belton House was so lovely. But the gardens would bring me back! We loved this property for so many reasons and we are so glad you enjoyed it. Have a nice evening. ♥

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  5. It is beautifully cared for and has a fascinating history...Adelaide...never had heard of her. Anyway, it is not a home I’d enjoy living in, but I am sure that a lot of living has gone on through the centuries. Too much to care for and too much to be responsible for, though that blue bedroom is wonderful and the gardens...

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    1. Vee, the folks that lived at Belton House were in a financial situation that I know nothing about! The reason the National Trust was able to acquire this property was the family could no longer keep up with it. That's true with many of the places we toured. We are glad they did so we could get a peek into the past. ♥

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  6. I think it's definitely a palace and if I had all the money to run it I'd gladly take ownership. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it via your camera images, thank you so much! What a garden! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, Belton House will always be a palace in my mind as well. Thank you for coming along with us. The gardens in England hold a special place in my heart and Belton was spectacular. Have a nice day. ♥

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  7. This is most definitely a palace, not a house. Thank you for the tour, Martha Ellen. It's a gorgeous property! Hope you are keeping well. xoxo

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    1. Thank you for visiting today, Rosinda. We are doing well and I hope you are as well. Enjoy your day, my friend. xoxo ♥

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  8. I'd say that Belton House is palatial!! What an amazing place! The original hand-painted wallpaper. Those libraries with their huge collections of books. Beautiful artwork and tapestries. So much to see and love!

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    1. Palatial indeed is Belton House. So many lovely pieces to view, Cheryl. I'm so glad so many treasures from so long ago have been preserved. ♥

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  9. It sure looks like a palace to me. Those silk and wool tapestries, the library, and that magnificent staircase would be wonderful to see! Thanks for the tour and great photos! I'm glad I don't have to weed that garden.

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    1. It is a palace to me as well, Judy. The gardens that surround Belton House require many gardeners working full time. As lovely as the flowers grow there, I'm sure the weeds are just as plentiful. ♥

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  10. Dear Martha Ellen.
    Most assuredly a palace, not a house. What beautiful photos. Love the formal garden too.
    Thank you so much for your kind words and visit. It is always so nice to see you there. I have been away much too long.
    blessings,
    Penny

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    1. Thank you for visiting my little corner, Penny. It's nice to have you here. I do hope you have a speedy recovery. ♥

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  11. What a grand house, Martha Ellen. Yes, it looks like a palace! I really liked the black and white checkered marble floors. And the stairway has beautiful woodwork. I like how the beds are covered with the canopies. The one with the hanging jewels is gorgeous (or are they pearls?) Nel would love this library. Wow, such a collection of fine books. And the garden is lovely.

    Thanks for the tour and some interesting facts about this unique house, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, I'm not sure what the tassels were made of on the bed canopy. I do believe they are made of embroidered threads. I do hope Nel can visit Belton House on her travels one day. All of the grand estates in Britain have the most wonderful libraries. Have a wonderful evening, my friend. ♥

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  12. Oh, that is definitely more a palace. The last time I checked, houses didn't have chapels or orangeries!

    I have mixed feelings about all these beautiful four poster beds ~ so snug and cosy to pull the drapes around you in winter, but I can't help wondering what might lurk in the pleats?

    ~~~Waving~~~from Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. As I've been thinking on the House word used at Belton, I remember the "cottages" of Rhode Island. If you are familiar, they are no more cottages than Belton is a house. Good point on the chapel and orangeries!
      Yikes, I hadn't thought about the critters that might occupy the canopy bedding, Deb. Now I'll try to get that out of my head. xoxo ♥

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  13. Quite grand, indeed! But give me a wee cottage in a wee village with a wee garden and I'd be just as happy.

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    1. I agree, but it was fun to have a peek inside how the gentry lived. Very similar to visiting a museum. ♥

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  14. Such a lovely post.
    I love these houses and gardens, so lovely to visit.
    Thanks for sharing your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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