Victoria's Regencies
  • Welcome
  • About Me
  • News and Events
  • Victoria's Vibes -- a blog
  • My Books
    • An Ideal Match
    • Ask Jane
    • Cordelia's Corinthian
    • Miss Milford's Mistake
    • Miss Parker's Ponies
    • The Eligible Miss Elliott
    • The Fontainebleau Fan
    • The Tables Turned
    • BirthRights: a Dangerous Brew, Chapter One

A Day at Bramall Hall, Cheshire

6/16/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
On my first visit to Manchester, after dozens of trips around England, I was eager to see some of the nearby Stately Homes. With two friends, we set off for Bramall Hall and were warmly rewarded with a spectacular house. 
Picture
Bramall Hall in Stockport is a stunning example of the black-and-white style so admired in this region.  Perhaps the look owes more to Victorian alterations and embellishments than to its Tudor origins, but why quibble? Portions of the house date to the medieval era, and others were renovated in the 1880's and subsequently brought up to date in some wings. 
Picture
The tall Tudor Chimneys bear a resemblance to those at Hampton Court Palace. Below, the entrance in the rear.
Picture
Picture
 The Great Hall has evolved from the original one room that housed all the family and servants at the beginning. Of special note are the windows, definitely a Victorian design, no doubt meant to improve on the small-paned Tudor precedents.
Picture
Picture
In the Banqueting Room, the Solar, and the Chapel, some of the original walls and wall paintings have survived.
The sign at right reads "Please do not touch the Wattle and Daub wall. It is extremely old and very fragile."
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Chapel is still in use. The Neville Room, below, was a Victorian remake of several smaller rooms for Mr. Neville to enjoy his hobbies and entertain his friends at billiards.
Picture
Below, the Paradise Room was designed for the previous family, the Davenports, who owned the property from the 1300's until the late 1800's.  It is named for the embroidered bed hangings showing scenes of Eden, as completed by Dorothy, wife of William Davenport V.  She also produced a family of eleven children in the late 16th century.
Picture
Picture
The Withdrawing Room occupies the upper portion of the Great Hall, dividing it into two levels in the 1570's. The ceiling is an excellent example of Elizabethan design; over the fireplace is the Royal Coat of Arms of Elizabeth I.
Picture
Picture
The Dining Room, below, has many Victorian features interpreting the Tudor originals.
Picture
Picture
We were unable to see one of the rooms -- as the sign below warned us!
Picture
I love the way in which the British always apologize for such "inconveniences." Below, views of the kitchen, laundry, and servants' rooms.
It can't be forgotten how much hard work had to be done to allow families to live in these great houses by both men and women in service. And finally, everyone's favorite spot: the Gift Shop! 
Picture
1 Comment
Donna Bartlett
6/18/2018 07:16:10 am

I would really like country house tour.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Victoria Hinshaw, Author


    Here I will share some of my articles on favorite topics, such as English Country Houses, the Regency Royals, Jane Austen, and the like. Some of these articles have been published elsewhere, probably on the blog I share with Kristine Hughes and Louisa
    ​Cornell:  numberonelondon.net

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Photo used under Creative Commons from amandabhslater