Hello friends, I'm continuing to share our time in Britain as we celebrated our Golden Anniversary. We spent our first two weeks in the Lake District and Scotland and now we are spending our second two weeks in Devon and Cornwall. Come along with us today as we visit Arlington Court. It is raining, but don't worry we have our brollies. I hope you have your rain gear for when we exit the car.
Driving along the roads in Devon is like a fairy tale. Lovely thatched roof cottages dot the lanes as we travel to visit Arlington Court.
We know the gentle rain showers provide the hill and dales with their lush green portrait.
Hurry along with your brolly as we check in to tour Arlington Court. The Chichester family has made this their home for 11 generations. The National Trust now takes care of this lovely property and its collections.
Looking down the path we get a view of this lovely home that was built in three phases. The neo-classical block was designed by Thomas Lee for Colonel John Chichester. It replaced a Tudor home that had major structural issues. Unfortunately the Colonel died before its completion in 1823.
His son John inherited the estate from his father. He was given the title of baronet and was therefore known as Sir John.
Sir John married Caroline Thistlethwayte in 1838. They soon began decorating the interior of the home. Join us as we go inside.
The entrance foyer is quite grand.
The lovely plastered ceilings get my attention right away in the dining room.
The table is set for dinner. Can you stay and join us?
The Copeland china certainly looks lovely on the table. As well as the Mappin and Webb LTD. silver.
Each generation of Chichesters left their mark on the interior. It's quite grand, but it has a comfortable feeling.
Gazing out the window it's still raining, but lovely.
There are always lovely flowers in all National Trust properties.
Perhaps you would like tea.
The Boudoir has beautiful old silk hangings in the back that are over 200 years old. They are now working on restoring them after removing the intricate woodwork that surround them.
There are extensive collections of the generations in a separate room. Very much like a museum.
Going upstairs we learn more about the Chichester family.
Francis Chichester was a sailor and an aviator.
Sir Francis Chichester was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for being the first person to sail alone around the world by clipper route in nine months and one day!
Arlington Court brings together 11 generations and collections.
The last person to live in Arlington Court was Rosalie Chichester born in 1865. She gave Arlington Court to the National Trust in 1948. She also gave land in Woolacombe and Mortehoe in 1908. She passed away in 1949 and in her will bequeathed the rest of her property to the National Trust.
Another wonderful tour you took us on, it as a pleasure to join you.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you join us, Lorraine. Have a happy weekend. ♥
DeleteWhat a contrast! Such a stark and bleak looking exterior of grey stone, and then all the beauty of luxurious furniture, fixtures and ornaments inside! What a pretty plate on the dining table, and that stand of sweetmeats and treats ~ oh, how the other half lived {I suppose they still do, but now we can buy into it}
ReplyDeleteI was a big follower of Sir Francis Chichester back in the 1960's when his around the world sailing captured the imagination of this small girl! I even named my two goldfish Sir Francis and Gypsy Moth!
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
The gray stone of the neo-classical block is quite a contrast to the buttery stone of the rest of the home- Especially on the rainy gray day we visited. I have seen old photos that appear this block was painted white at one time.
DeleteThe Copeland china in the dining room was lovely with each plate a different flower--ahh yes, the other half.
That's so neat you followed Sir Francis in the sixties! I'm glad to hear you had goldfish named after his clipper and him. That's so neat, Deb.
Sending you wishes for a nice weekend, my friend. xoxo ♥
Well that was enjoyable! That first home with the thatched roof and mustard colored exterior is quite something! The interior of of Arlington Court did not disappoint!
ReplyDeleteLiz, the thatched roof homes are darling, aren't they? Arlinton Court was full of so many collections, there is no way I could have included them all here. So much fun to revisit these places with all of you! ♥
DeleteThis is gorgeous but I think I would rather visit and learn than live here. (Whereas with the d'Oily (sp) Carte spot, I'd move in today! The appointments are beautiful and the family sounds like a fascinating one. I am so grateful for the National Trust. What they do is a treasure. Or saves treasures.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, one of the fun things about traveling is visiting so many different styles of homes. Coleton Fishacre was quite a contrast to Arlington Court to Greenway and so on. The National Trust is a treasure indeed. Thank you for visiting all the places with us. It's fun to relive it all, isn't it? ♥
DeleteBeautiful estate and I love those surnames: Chichester and Thistlethwaite! How nice that you were allowed to take pictures of the interior.
ReplyDeletePhotos are allowed in most National Trust properties, except when they have family pieces that a family does not wish to be photographed. We actually know the Chichester name (folks in our town) but not Thistlethwaite! Have a happy day, Vee. ♥
DeleteI can't either, Dee.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you could take photos inside. What a delightful place, and cozy, as you say, for such a big house! I can't get over how young Queen Elizabeth looks in the photo!
ReplyDeleteDotsie, I looked a lot younger 52 years ago, too. Lol. Arlington Court was a lovely home, though opulent.
DeleteYou sure are lucky to have gotten to visit so many wonderful places. I loved both the thatched cottage and the big manor home. I was so impressed with learning he was a sailor that singlehanded around the world.. that was a dream of mine at one time. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I can hardly believe all the places we went too! Sir Francis Chichester was quite the sailor! I'm not as adventuresome as you in thinking I could circumnavigate the globe in a small vessel.
DeleteThose roof cottages are something else. Yes, they look like fairytale cottages. This is such a grand home. I like the balcony from the entrance to the home. The dining room is lovely with the table setting. I always like to see the collections that people have. The view of the house from upstairs is amazing. You got to see so many interesting things here, Martha Ellen. And it's a pleasure to see them with you. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri, this home was like a museum, full of the collections of eleven generations of the Chichester family. I have a lot more photos of them, but felt this post was long enough. Thank you for coming along on our adventure. xo
DeleteIt would be fun to be a guest in a house like this, but give me the thatched cottage to live in!
ReplyDeleteA wee thatched cottage would suit me as well, Cathy!
DeleteWhat an amazing trip you had to celebrate that 50th! You found some wonderful places to explore!
ReplyDeleteNellie, there is so much to see in Britain. Just like here in the USA, there is so much to enjoy. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteOh wow! That grand home! and I love the photo of the knighting. Think of how much the Queen has lived through, always dutiful. Amazing woman. The tour was lovely, and the staircase and tapestry! Thistlethwayte. What a great name. :-)) Mine was Nelson. So boring by comparison. :-)
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth is so amazing to me. I have so much respect for her as you say so dutiful. Some surnames are really interesting. Thank you for stopping by, Judy.
DeleteI am envious. Love the pictures and post. I have always wanted to go to these areas.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, Chrissy T. I do hope your dream comes true to visit Britain. It took me a long time to realize my dream.
DeleteI do love Britain and all it’s history ... How very exciting to tour Arlington with you and Graydon... The mustard colored thatch cottage must be rare ... and the countryside is so charming ... It seems that the people of bygone days were such adventurers. They really worked their curiosity to it's highest level... I'd say sailing alone on a clipper ship is quite an accomplishment ... no wonder he was knighted by the Queen...AMAZING !!! It is hard to imagine living in such a huge mansion... no wonder they needed servants...but ..Oh how beautiful it is inside and out...The china and silverware are so grand ... and I loved the teatime setting . I often find the trinkets,books and memorabilia the most interesting ... It is so encouraging that Rosalie Chichester donated the mansion and land... for the restoration of the next historical generation to enjoy...It seems so sensible ... I truly enjoyed your post...Thank You for sharing... Hugs
ReplyDeleteZaa, you would fit right in at Arlington Court. It was so lovely and so interesting to view the collections of eleven generations! It would be lovely to enjoy tea with you in this beautiful home. Thank you so much for your kind words.
DeleteSo beautiful, eloquent doesn't do it justice, I do see the home feeling especially in the tea room. The red carpeted staircase reminds me of the one in "Gone With The Wind" movie. ~smile~ How generous of Rosalie Chichester to donate such a beautiful place for all to enjoy. Thanks for sharing, Martha, and thank you for visiting me and for all of your sweet comments.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue
Sue, you hit the nail on the head about "Gone With the Wind" staircase. The home and its property are taken care of so wonderfully by the National Trust. You are right that Rosalie Chichester was generous to bequeath her home to posterity. Thank you for your kind words and for visiting today.
DeleteME ENCANTA LA PRIMERA CASA!!!
ReplyDeleteES PRECIOSA.
SALUDITOS
Yo también amo la casa de techo de paja. Gracias por su visita. Espero que la traducción sea correcta.
DeleteThose big homes are always fascinating to me. Can't imagine living in one but love looking at them on tours. Great post Martha Ellen, thank you for sharing all these lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, Denise. It is fun to tour old homes and see the progression of the families styles. Thank you for stopping by and visiting with us.
DeleteA lovely post with your photographs and information.
ReplyDeleteIt took me back to the 60's … I can remember the news about Francis Chichester and his around the world sailing.
All the best Jan