At the start of the May Day Bank Holiday we had a trip to Highclere Castle. In perfect weather we arrived early and were able to enjoy the sight of the castle in wonderful light as we parked the car.
Highclere Castle was built in 1679 and largely renovated
during the 1840s, with a park designed by Capability Brown in the
18th century. The 5,000-acre (2,000-hectare) estate is in Highclere, Hampshire,
England,
The 19th-century renovation is in a Jacobethan and Italianate style
produced by architect Charles Barry. It is the country seat of the Earls
of Carnarvon, a branch of the Anglo-Welsh Herbert family.
Highclere Castle has been used as a filming location for
several films and television series, including the 1990s comedy series Jeeves
and Wooster. It achieved international fame as the main location for the ITV
historical drama series Downton Abbey
We were here to tour the castle because of Downtown Abbey, unfortunately photography was not allowed in the castle, although one or two did try. We toured the castle first and then spent the afternoon walking through the extensive gardens.
Looking south across the lawns in front of the house.
The intricate designs all around the house and the family flag.
We were so lucky with the weather and walking around the grounds was a real pleasure.
The colours of the trees at their very best.
Wild flowers with a background of cowslips.
Everywhere there were views of the castle.
A trail leading down to the grazing pasture for cattle, again some lovely different greens highlighted in the distant trees.
There are several gardens, some looked after and a few just left which was a shame, however the good out did the bad today.
The flag tower just showing above the trees.
A field full of Cowslips leading up to the castle lawns.
Plenty of bird life around the gardens, Blackcaps, Blackbirds and Robins all singing, while above there were Red Kite circling and Jackdaws around the buildings. Butterflies were also about with at least two Painted Ladies flying through and Orange Tip, Green-veined Whites and Peacocks.
The castle framed by two Ceder trees.
A lovely time walking around the gardens.
Later on in the weekend it was a trip to Hillier Gardens just outside Romsey. It was a familiar drive for me and we arrived in overcast conditions, but it was due to clear out later on in the day.
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is an arboretum covering 180
acres and accommodating over 42,000 trees and shrubs - most notably an almost
unparalleled collection of oaks, camellia, magnolia and rhododendron. At this time of year the star attraction are the rhododendrons and they didn't fail to deliver.
Many different varieties all stemming from the wild species that grows in the foothills of the Himalayas.
The walk around the rest of the grounds was pleasant, again plenty of bird song, Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, Song Thrush, Blackbirds and Robins all in song. Plus what could only have been a Tawny Owl that flew from the ground to a tree, we never managed to locate ite it, but from the size and the fact that the Blackbirds were mobbing suggests it was probably a Tawny Owl.
Another lovely day.
