IgoUgo

Cambridge Journals

Wimpole Hall

Best of IgoUgo

A June 2008 trip to Cambridge by MichaelJM

Wimpole Hall Photo - Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust), Cambridge, England More Photos
Quote: We grabbed the chance to spend a day at the national Property of Wimpole Hall where despite the rain we enjoyed the trip.
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Wimpole Hall Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Wimpole Hall Photo - Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust), Cambridge, England
Quote:
Wimpole Hall is always said to the the finest and "most majestic" of Cambridgeshire houses and when the original house was built in the late 1630’s it was strategically close to two Roman roads giving its owners easy access to London. Over the years it, like many houses of its genre, has seen a great deal of changes since its original design as a four-gabled manor house, which was then surrounded by a rectangular moat. So a total overhaul over the generations emanating from the absolute demolishment of that original dwelling. I’ve viewed many a "stately home" and I always find the social history attached to them of real interest and the Wimpole estate had laid in the ownership ...Read More

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust) Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "A Stroll around the Gardens"

Wimpole Hall Estate Photo - Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust), Cambridge, England
Quote:
Despite the light rain we decided to at least make a cursory tour of the grounds (there are 60 acres in total). On a good day I’d have liked to take the stroll from the Hall to the gothic tower, a ruin that was designed in 1751 by Sanderson Miller to create a focal point on the estate’s landscape. It’s really an enlarged garden ornament that has no other purpose than to create an atmosphere. It was finally built in 1772 and I guess it must have amused Philip Yorke, the 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, as he sat in his dining room folly that had been built to create a feel of history about the estate. Other than the fact that on closer inspection we would have seen that the "medieval remains" had no realm substa...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 18, 2008

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust)
Arrington
Cambridgeshire, England SG8 0BW
+44 1223 207257

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust) Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Checking Out the Bedrooms"

Wimpole Hall Photo - Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust), Cambridge, England
Quote:
Having explored the ground floor we leave the Trompel'œil work of the ante-room and climb the low banistered highly ornate staircase to the first floor. Here the first room that we visit is the "Chancellor’s Bedroom" named after the 1st lord of Hardwicke who was the longest serving Chancellor of the 18th century. Centrepiece to this room is a 1780’s "Prince of Wales bed". Despite it’s age it is not original to the house and was acquired by Elsie Bambridge to be in keeping with the room and although the "knitted hanging" is "perfectly right" for the style of the bed this accessory was made in 1842 and again was matched by Elsie.Next to the bedroom was the Lord Chancellor’s dressing ro...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 19, 2008

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust)
Arrington
Cambridgeshire, England SG8 0BW
+44 1223 207257

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust) Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Checking Out the Reception Rooms"

Wimpole Hall Photo - Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust), Cambridge, England
Quote:
We entered Wimpole hall by the grand external staircase, the same entrance used by Queen Victoria when she visited the hall back in the 1840’s.Imagine the excitement as the royal guests were received in the Ante room before settling down for some post journey relaxation in the South Drawing Room. From here they could enjoy a superb view across the estate and relax in the comfort of this grand indoor terrace.A step or two away and we are in the Long Gallery which was originally three rooms, with a long adjoining corridor, until it was "opened up" in 1742. There’s a mightily impressive fireplace with a sculpture of Bacchus (perhaps an indication of the occupants preferred t...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 24, 2008

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust)
Arrington
Cambridgeshire, England SG8 0BW
+44 1223 207257

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust) Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Below Stairs"

Wimpole Hall Photo - Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust), Cambridge, England
Quote:
Although much lowlier in terms of architecture and design the servant’s quarters are, in my view always a fascinating part of my visit to a stately home. They give the real insight into how things were for the aristocracy and give a sharp contrast to the public face of the family and the opulence of living life upstairs. But before we reached them we called in at the 1720’s chapel. This was created by James Gibbs and the side walls are decorated with gold gilded statues set inside Corinthian columns. But all is not as it seems, as this is indeed a mural painted trompel'œil, but still a rather grand affair. Above the altar in this small chapel is an oil on canvas of the Adoration of the Mag...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 24, 2008

Wimpole Hall Estate (National Trust)
Arrington
Cambridgeshire, England SG8 0BW
+44 1223 207257

About the Writer

MichaelJM

MichaelJM
Nottingham, England

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