My parents came for a quick visit this weekend so we decided to do something touristy and visit Sizergh Castle.
I’ve looked at it on the drive home along the A591, you get a glimpse of it through the trees, and I’ve often thought it would be an interesting place to visit. But being an active sort, and hardly having enough time to be in my own house and garden, when would I find the time to visit someone else’s house and garden?
A sunny sunday afternoon, when the parents visit, was the perfect opportunity.
It is quite an amazing place. We started out with a walk around the gardens passing a large pond.
The kitchen garden is inspiring.
The rock garden was beautiful, with limestone walkways winding over small streams and around acers of all colours. There were beehives, an orchard, a wooded walkway, a croquet lawn, topiary, chickens, and another huge pond. Many areas were left untended to allow the wild flowers to grow.
After the gardens we went indoors. I’m not usually that bothered about ancient houses, but this one was really interesting. It could have been the National Trust volunteers that brought the house to life, or perhaps because the family still live there and there are family photos mixed up amongst the ancient portraits, but it was fascinating.
Anyway, is was a good afternoon, and I’d like to go back to see the gardens later in summer. Thankfully I do have National Trust membership, otherwise I wouldn’t be willing to pay the entrance fee which is quite a lot.