Gretna GIG trip to Wallington Hall Thursday 16th July 2015

After a pleasant ride on the minibus we arrived at Wallington Hall at 10.30am. The weather had gradually improved on the way and was looking good. Margaret had brought facilities to make tea/coffee on arrival and a delicious home made cake to refresh everyone after our  journey. A good start to the day! Even better - some members of the National Trust had vouchers for guest entries - so we had no entry fees to pay for anyone! One member of the group was even offered free access to a motorised scooter, meaning she wouldn't have to walk everywhere! Even before we got inside the grounds the day was a success.

  

After arranging our departure time, we were free to wander. Entry was through a very stately clock tower, opening out onto a huge grassy courtyard. Visitors are allowed to wander across the grass and explore the lakes, woods and grounds of the house. We decided to head for the Walled Garden, but others headed for the River walk, the wildlife hide, the plant stall, the shop or the café. There are many things for the whole family to do at Wallington.

 

 

 

We walked through the wood and past the lake.

 

Neptune overlooks the gate (and holds the key!) to the Walled Garden.



Inside is a real treat - a pool at the top with a staircase leading down through the garden. The borders are full of flowers looking, and smelling, beautiful. An Edwardian conservatory lies against one wall and is open for visitors to wander through. Everywhere looks well cared for, a real credit to the gardeners and volunteers.

 

Walled Garden

 

 

Conservatory

 

Among the plants are many statues and features. 

 

Here are some of the individual flowers, of which there were a great variety - far too many to record here. There was much repetition of "oh, look at that", "I'd like one of those" and "smell that!"

 

 

 

We could have spent more time in the tranquil garden but there was so much else to see! After a delicious lunch in the Clocktower café we moved on to explore Wallington house. It was gifted to the National Trust by Sir Charles Trevelyan, a Socialist MP. His family was rather unconventional and loved being outdoors and close to nature, hence the informal grounds. However the house is full of beautiful furniture, amazing collections and curiosities in every room. The National Trust have taken a new approach to visitors in the house in that they have removed many of the ropes that keep people away from the exhibits. You can now wander around each room and get close to the treasures within. Informative volunteers acting as guides were all over the house to answer questions and give information about individual items.

There was so much to see in the house that we used up the rest of our time inside.

Friezes in some of the rooms

 

Beautiful painted walls

 

There are lots of toy soldiers and dolls houses in the house

 



We didn't see many of our group after going our separate ways but here are just a few snapshots we managed to take during the day!

 

 

 

A quick visit to the shop and the plant stall concluded our visit - but there was just one more photo to take before we set off home....... 

 

 

 

A brilliant day- but there was so much we didn't see that another visit is  definitely needed!