Godophin House, near Helston in Cornwall, began life as a 15th. century, Tudor manorhouse, and has been added to over the centuries by various owners. It's become almost derelict and has now been bought by the National Trust who are gradually restoring it. The garden is one of the oldest in the country, being around seven hundred years old. I took loads of photos so will start with some of the house and *do* the garden later in the week.
Approaching the house and passing the stable block.
The main house. The restoration work is quite obvious.
A sideview of the house.
These next four are of the inner courtyard which you get to through that centre opening in the main house.
A back view of the house.
A pretty cottage attached to one of the side wings.
More soon.
10 comments:
ok when can we move in? hehehe.. of course we do need a gardner though.. I don't do lawns anymore! lol..
I think 'inner courtyards' are just about my favorite, favorite thing. I just want to be there. It's like a secret garden. I've read about them in Italy and France - how you open a door on a main street, and enter this marvelous green space that seems a world away from the outside of the door. Do you know who lived there?
I love looking round old houses. It's best when there are no other visitors, which doesn't often happen. It looks as though you were there on your own?
I think we'd need about six gardeners, Pat. lol. But honestly? It would be an idyllic place to live.
The original owners were the Godolphin family, Nan. Not sure who's owned it in more recent years, though I'd like to think it was descendants of the same family. I know exactly what you mean about courtyards and secret gardens. I've always fancied visiting an arab country where they specialise in doors that open onto wonderful hidden courtyards.
More or less completely on our own, Margaret. There were just a couple of other people wandering around. The time of year I think - it was the end of Oct. But also you can't really go into the house, just one or two empty rooms, so I think most people think there's nothing to see there. I found it wonderfully quiet and peaceful.
Great photos! Is that the same Godolphin family as the Arabian horse one, do you know? I'm thinking Marguerite Henry's King of the Wind, which I read when I was a girl, so maybe I'm misremembering. Sounds like you had a fun trip!
You know, Darla, I have absolutely no idea. It could be as it's a surname that's rather peculiar to Cornwall and I don't imagine there are that many of them. Of course, a quick check on Google could prove me completely wrong. LOL!
Gorgeous pictures! And wow, a 700-year-old garden...that's impressive. I look forward to more pictures!
Thanks, Nymeth. Will try to get more pics up tomorrow.
I agree, I want to see the garden too! Since I love gardening, flowers, and English gardens gone wild, 700 years old.I think I'm drooling here.....lovely photos, can I move in too? I'll take a room overlooking the courtyard, please! lol...I'll even work in the garden for you!!!
And yes, I do think we have the same taste in books, now that I'm here I'm adding you to my blogroll too! *thanks, DesLily* for introducing us....
Susan, I've just put the garden pics up in my latest post. Sorry it's taken a while - I've been ill for a week.
Oh yes, I definitely think we can find a nice room for you in the house too. We could start a commune! lol.
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