Collecting artwork through my photography is one of my long-running projects. My interest in Luke Jerram’s work began during the pandemic, when BBC Midlands, was filming his large-scale artwork In Memoriam. The installation, set next to Aston Hall, was the subject of one of my earlier blogs. Briefly, Luke used blue and white hospital bed sheets to create a circular medical logo that stretched across a field. I was fortunate not only to meet him but also to talk with him about how this work came about and even to take his portrait photograph.
Helios residing in the gardens of Charterhouse
Since then, whenever one of Jerram’s installations has come to the West Midlands, I have made a point of visiting and photographing the artwork. I have seen Gaia at Millennium Point, the Museum of the Moon in Lichfield Cathedral, and more recently, Helios at the historic Charterhouse in Coventry.
Enjoying the spectacleThe earth and Helios compared.
The Charterhouse, a former medieval monastic house with a long and varied history, is now run by the National Trust. On a hot sunny afternoon in August, we visited the property to view Helios. Jerram’s works are displayed against differing backdrops which provide a dramatic contrast to the art. This glowing sphere of the sun was set within the walled gardens, an ideal setting, as my photographs show.
Helios in the Garden
My grandson Noah suggested we lie down beneath Helios. This gave me an unusual perspective, and some striking photographs. After capturing several images, I paused to simply take in the artwork. Suspended within its metal frame, the sphere revealed breathtaking details of the sun’s surface. The inclusion of a scaled Earth nearby reminded viewers of just how vast the sun truly is.
Dramatic blue skies behind Helios
The Charterhouse itself is a place of calm beauty, with its tiered gardens and excellent coffee shop, a welcome stop after exploring. I doubt Richard II, who laid its foundations, could ever have imagined the many ways the property would be used over the centuries.
Noah with his football sphere.
Now, having photographed In Memoriam, Gaia, Museum of the Moon, and Helios, my next goal is to view Mars when it visits the West Midlands. That will complete my personal photographic record of Luke Jerram’s planetary installations.
These are my previous entries on Luke Jerram’s artwork.
We visited Gaia by Luke Jerram is in Millennium Point, Birmingham. This is adjacent to the ThinkTank Museum where the children had so much fun after visiting Gaia. The earth is something to see when you get up close and personal. Luke Jerram created the artwork which is 1.8 million times smaller than the real earth. The double exposure created in camera is of my daughter Natasha. My title of the picture is “Lost in her own world”. Interestingly my grandchildren cannot remember the visit so I am glad I have the pictures to show their enjoyment on the day.
My grandchildren together with Gaia in the background.Lost in her own world. A double exposure of my daughter with Gaia.
Druids Heath is just a place I pass through—a shortcut home and a fast route that I have taken many times after events at the University of Birmingham or in Selly Oak and Bournville. Passing through the area, I often wondered about the mix of tower blocks and green spaces. I remember passing a lively pub, although its name always escaped me. My drive through would last around five minutes, ending at the Maypole and onto the bypass leading to the motorway back home.
Bell’s lane. the main thoroughfare passing through Druids Heath
Druids Heath remained an enigma until I stumbled upon a National Trust post which led me to the National Trust’s Back to Backs website. There was an advert for a walking tour of the area, linked to the slum clearance projects of the 1960s, such as the Back to Backs. Sparkling new estates had sprung up during that era, with Druids Heath at the forefront. My family came from Manchester, so I never learnt about the clearance of Birmingham’s slums. However, I did have University friends who lived in the Hume crescents in the late seventies. I have many stories of visiting Hulme when a student in Manchester.
Jayne Murray, the resident artist of Place Prospectors.
The walk around Druids Heath was organised by Jayne Murray, the resident artist of Place Prospectors. We gathered at the terminus of the number 50 bus, where Jayne introduced herself and handed out a set of postcards. Each postcard was to act as a signpost for our journey around the estate. The first depicted a map and a picture of the bus stop. As we began our walk, we found ourselves on the border of the city with the green fields of Bromsgrove and Worcestershire on the other side of the road. There was a stark contrast between the green countryside and the houses and towers of Druids Heath. The houses were built in units—some with garages and living quarters above, others resembling small terraces. Tower blocks punctuated the landscape, standing over the lower-raised houses. As we moved along, these towers became an ever-present feature, imposing themselves on the scenery.
A typical example of low level housing in Druids Heath.
Despite the low-grade litter scattered around the estate, it was clear that many residents took pride in their homes, adding personal touches to make the place welcoming. Jayne shared background details about the area, and the postcards were a clever prompt, allowing us to see how the estate had changed over the years. For example, the land along Bells Lane was once used for farming, and remnants of its agricultural past were still visible in the bushes that had once formed natural borders.
An example of the concrete architecture on the estate.Empty dustbins
We stopped at several landmarks, including the former pub called the Gladiator. Now I remember its name! Jayne explained that where there were once three pubs, there are now none, and she lamented the loss of the community spirit that disappeared with their closure. We also heard about the Dell; a large area of heathland once earmarked for development. A determined community fightback led to the cancellation of these plans, and the area is now a haven for wildlife.
The heathland of the Dell overshadowed by electricity pylons.
The final stages of the walk focused on the towers. Some have been demolished, while others stand empty, deemed unsuitable for habitation. Hillcroft House, for instance, stands vacant next to a row of shops—some are still in use, others abandoned. We passed two demolition sites: Heath House and Moundsley House. Both towers are now gone, leaving only grass in their place, with no new structures having yet been built. The library has since been replaced by the Druids Heath neighbourhood office and the youth club was still there. Using postcards with images of the towers mid-demolition, we aligned our photos to capture the present-day view, a poignant reminder of what once stood there.
The towers impose themselves over the undelating landscape.Leading lines to the towersHillcroft House stands emptyWelcome to Druids Heath.The site where Moundsley House once stood.
Jayne then led us up a hill to a green metal fence enclosing a large empty space. She recounted the story of Baverstock School, once a jewel in the estate’s crown. Built in 1969, its headteacher, Mr Perks, was dedicated to giving pupils the chance for a brighter future, and the school gained numerous accolades. However, after his retirement, the school’s fortunes declined, plagued by financial mismanagement and poor governance. It closed in 2017, with bulldozers arriving in 2020. The story saddened me, and I struggled to understand how such a vibrant institution could fall into ruin. Today, all that remains is an empty space, a postcard, and memories cherished by former staff and pupils.
There is nothing to show that Baverstock School once proudly stood here.
As we neared the end of our walk, a short footpath brought us to Kimpton Close, surrounded by three tower blocks: Saxelby, Kingswood, and Barretts Houses. Concrete buffers lay uprooted and scattered around the area. These buildings, now empty, await their fate. The 13-storey towers—used as a backdrop for the BBC drama series This Town, which explored the birth of ska in Coventry—stand as imposing relics of the past. I took many photographs, drawn to their photogenic yet haunting presence, and reflected on the families who once lived there. The setting sun seemed to know that their time was coming to an end.
The silhouettes of the three tower blocks against the setting sun.Looking up at Barretts House. Empty except for a few remnants of previous habitation.Graffiti writing on the entrance doors
Our final stop was a surprising landmark. Druids Heath is one of the highest points in Birmingham, and surrounded by the towers there was a trig point. Jayne joked that if we looked east, the next highest place would be the Ural Mountains. With the cold wind picking up on that late Saturday afternoon, I had no reason to doubt her.
The trig point in Druids Heath with the towers forming a backdrop to the landscape.
In our pack was artwork inspired by Druids Heath residents. The final postcard bore the words I am not going to panic, from the Moving Stories project. This artwork, by Jayne and Jean, one of the last residents of the Brookpiece tower block overlooking the trig point, depicted the long-reach of the proposed demolition. The tower was in the jaws of a pincer which outlined the area. There is a lot of concern and uncertainty about what is planned to be demolished and what will replace the present buildings.
We concluded our walk with a group photograph and I departed for home. Jayne and others headed to the Outpost Arts Centre for a screening of the film The Great British Housing Disaster. I later watched the film on YouTube, finding it a harrowing yet informative background to the building expansion in the sixties. The mismanagement and misplaced decision making from Government and building contractors remains a major problem to this day. Will the future lead to better things? That is a difficult question to answer based on past history of the buildings on Druids Heath.
Taken from the Instagram account of @jaynemurrayartisThe lights on Pound road
On my way back to the car, I passed the mural for Druids Heath by Mohammed Ali. The golden light of the setting sun enhanced its vibrant colours. The mural’s theme of safety and compassion reflected the community’s spirit and the hope for togetherness.
The artwork by Mohammed Ali symbolising the community spirit.
At the number 50 bus stop, where two buses waited, I was reminded of the first postcard Jayne had handed out. Back home, I looked through my pack again, matching my photographs with the postcards. I would encourage anyone to visit the Moving Stories website and read about the residents’ experiences of life on the Druids Heath estate. Their words—flooding, cold, damp, frustration, and loss of hope—paint a poignant picture of the challenges they faced.
The number 50 bus terminus.
Though Druids Heath was once just a shortcut on my way to Birmingham, this walk gave me a glimpse into its rich history, its struggles, and its community spirit. It is no longer simply a place I pass through but one I now understand more deeply.
Thank you to Jayne and the team that organised the walk around Druids Heath. Jayne was accompanied by Clare, who is an artist and former architect. Clare provided background information as to how the houses and towers were built. I found this to be an excellent follow on from my visit to the National Trust Back to Backs property. I have written a blog about my visit there and there is a link below. I shall be visiting the exhibition “Moving Stories” that links with the walking tour that I described in this blog.
I have also added a link to “The Great British housing disaster” which is essential viewing. The documentary unravels the mismanagement and poor quality control of the building industry in the 1960s. The people who bore the brunt of this disaster were ordinary people many of whom lost their lives when buildings collapsed or caught fire such as the Grenfell Tower fire.
The dull and gloomy weather over Christmas has led to several fog-drenched mornings, which have lingered throughout the day. For photographers, such conditions are ideal for adding atmosphere to compositions. I set off towards Baddesley Clinton, where the presence of the canal network generally guarantees fog. I drove to Hay Wood but stopped by the entrance to Baddesley Clinton on the way to take a picture of the tree-lined entrance. Another good spot is the public footpath on Netherwood Lane. Here, the line-up of trees with a hedge is the perfect location for a sunset picture in the summer. In the winter, the branches add different shapes to the landscape. The fog provided an eerie landscape.
Windows in the fog. (Footpath off Netherwood Lane, near to Baddesley Clinton.)Entrance to Baddesley Clinton with dog walker.
Hay Wood has featured in my blog over the years. There are several places in the woods that I like to visit. In spring, there is one area with a carpet of bluebells, and I wondered how it would look in the fog. I brought my tripod with me, and most of the pictures were taken using a long exposure setting, especially in the woods where the light was poor. There was some colour from the remaining leaves. The last few pictures show the oranges and greens of the wood.
Dancing Branches in the foggy landscape.Trees standing in the fog.Colours of winter in Hay WoodOrange and green colours in the woodland.
I am pleased that the pictures worked out because I got a flat tyre on the way back and had to wait two hours for the recovery man to arrive. However, I was soon back home editing the pictures. You will see that I varied my black-and-white treatments, either adding a high-key effect or using lots of contrast.
The Escape route, Hay Wood.
These are my settings for each of the pictures, tripod used where stated:-
The Escape Route f/11, 0.4s, ISO 100 – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 70-200mm – Tripod Windows in the fog. f/11, 0.3s, ISO 100 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 70-200mm – Tripod Entrance to Baddesley Clinton F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 320 – Fujifilm x100vi Dancing branches. f/11, 1s, ISO 100 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm – Tripod Trees standing in the fog F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 320 – Fujifilm x100vi Colours of winter F/5.6, 1/100, ISO 2000 – Fujifilm x100vi Orange and green F/11, 0.5s, ISO 125 – Fujifilm x100vi – Tripod
As I mentioned Hay Wood has featured before in my blog and the landscape is transformed in Spring
The Cotswolds are practically on our doorstep, and over the years, we’ve taken many day trips to places such as Broadway or Bourton-on-the-Water. However, we’ve never considered staying there until now. With Thanksgiving at the end of November, my daughter arranged a two-night stay at the Cotswold Water Park, near the Wiltshire border. Our plan was to celebrate Thanksgiving and explore a few of the area’s well-known sights.
Directions to Arlington Row, Bibury
Six of us set off—or rather, six plus my four-month-old grandson—and we arranged to meet in Bibury before checking into our rented accommodation. I had added Bibury to our itinerary because it is said to be the most photographed village in England—a claim that seems tailor-made for Instagram enthusiasts. So, what makes Bibury so popular? It’s largely due to Arlington Row, a picturesque street that attracts visitors from all over the world. The row of cottages is owned by the National Trust and has Grade I listed status. Interestingly, Bibury is particularly popular with Japanese tourists because Emperor Hirohito visited the village as a young man in the early 20th century.
Signthe Queen at the window
– We arrived in Bibury and had lunch at The Catherine Wheel, a charming 15th-century pub. The food was delicious, the service excellent and attentive, and the company even better. After lunch, we set off to see Arlington Row. I chose to take the back route from The Catherine Wheel, down a hill aptly named Awkward Hill. This approach offered unparalleled views of the picturesque cottages. Since we were visiting off-season, there weren’t too many tourists, though it was still tricky to snap a photo without someone walking into the frame. The cottages were incredibly charming and photogenic, with their honey-coloured Cotswold stone further enhanced by the crystal-clear stream running in front of them.
The last rays of sun on the chimneys.
Bibury isn’t all about Arlington Row; there are one or two other landmarks, such as the Swan Hotel and the bridges over the River Coln. After exploring the village, we moved on to the Cotswold Water Park.
The early morning view from our house.A coot swims by the house.Just dropped by to say hello.
Our accommodation was a beautiful house overlooking Summer Lake, one of the many lakes in the area. The lake adjacent to our house was teeming with wildlife—ducks, coots, and swans—all of which made excellent photographic subjects. On our first morning, we were treated to a stunning sunrise over Spinnaker Lake. Unfortunately, like most of the lakes in the area, it is privately owned and fenced off, which made access difficult. However, I managed to poke my camera through gaps in the fence and capture some decent shots of the sunrise.
Sunrise over the Cotswolds Water Park.
Later that morning, I set off for a walk along the many footpaths in the area. Some of these trails follow old, disused railway lines. The paths were flanked by tall hedges that limited views of the lakes, though I caught glimpses here and there. I was able to see Spring Lake and take pictures of the reflections. Later, I learned that my daughter had booked a group meal at the Lakeside Brasserie, which is situated on Spring Lake. The restaurant was quiet, and we had a table overlooking the water. The food was excellent, and the sunlight streaming through the blinds while we ate added to the experience. After the meal, we took pictures from the lakeside veranda before heading back to the house.
The Lakeside Brasserie (diamond building) looking over Spring lake.The view from the restaruant veranda. A sign in the lake.
The next morning brought another stunning sunrise over Spinnaker Lake. Then, it was time to head home. On the way, I was particularly keen to visit St. Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold. Even out of season, the traffic in the villages was busy, and Stow, being a bustling market town, was no exception. Fortunately, we found a good parking spot, and I was able to visit the church. The iconic image of the gates flanked by two ancient yew trees is often said to have inspired Tolkien’s depiction of the Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings. There were few visitors, so I had the place to myself to photograph this iconic scene at the church’s North Entrance. While it is rumored that Tolkien drew inspiration from this site, this has never been confirmed. Nonetheless, the place has a mystical and mysterious feel.
The Doors of Durin.Looking up at the North entrance of St Edward’s church.
I also found Stow itself intriguing, with its “tures” (an old English word for alleyways) and its connection to the Monarch’s Way, which traces King Charles II’s escape from Cromwell at the end of the English Civil War.
Talbot Ture, one of several narrow alleyways in Stow in the Wold
Living just south of Stratford, the Cotswolds are practically in our backyard. I must admit, I have not visited them as much as I would like. This short trip, however, reminded me of the wonders of this stunning part of England.
If you liked this travel story in the Cotswolds then here is another one for you to read.
IgersbirminghamUK were contacted by the National Trust to ask if we were interested in holding an Instameet at Coughton Court. This approach is part of the National Trust’s summer campaign to bring people together to explore their properties and enjoy the outdoors. This aligns with the IgersbirminghamUK group which aims to organise photographic Instameets with the aim of photographing and enjoying a day out at different locations.
Scaffolding around the historic Tudor building.
Coughton Court is a historic Tudor House and is undergoing an extensive program of repairs to the roof of the building. The cost of these repairs is £3.3 million and the conservation project will finish in 2025. During the building work, parts of the house remain open to the public.
Hard hats and high visibility vests. IgersbirminghamUK photographers ready to go “Through the roof”.
We gathered at the property early on a Sunday morning in August. The often-photographed building looked so different with the scaffolding and plastic sheeting covering the brickwork. Our National Trust host, Gum, gave a warm welcome and outlined the plans for the day. After introductions and the obligatory picture, we split into two groups of 10. One group visited the house whilst the other climbed the scaffolding to review the restoration project. Both groups then swapped over.
Beautiful views from the top.Looking out towards the Birmingham Road.Dropping a penny from the viewing platform.Details of the repairs on the Tower roof.
There are 88 steps up to the Visitor Viewing Platform. We donned blue protective hats and hi-vis yellow jackets and then we made the journey to the top. On the way up, we began to see the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. There were many photographs to be taken of the unique views of the house and the surrounding estate. The view of the restoration work on the roof of the tower showed the extensive renovations being done. I have climbed the tower in previous years and this view was different to what has gone before. I have photographs taken before the restoration, but to see the stonework close up was very exciting. The drop penny shute was fun especially as James had a coin to drop into it. Whilst the views made it tempting to linger around the top of the tower, there was another group waiting to go up and there was still the house to visit.
A view of the ceiling in the entrance hall
The “Through the roof” project is highlighted throughout the house and we were shown around via the temporary entrance to the main hallway. Everything looks different to what I am normally used to as the restoration of Coughton Court is extensive and involves several areas. Some of the rooms are inaccessible and others have furniture stored away. There is a feel of a family house undergoing decoration, as items are cleared away, although this is on a much grander scale than your average family house! There are informative displays throughout the large room that normally has a grand table set out for dinner. One of the most impressive areas was the lounge. The National Trust has taken the opportunity to lower the chandeliers to allow cleaning of these intricate beautiful creations. There were a few more rooms to pass through and then it was out to the gardens. The house visit was a new experience and as photographers we were getting a feast of opportunities for pictures.
New displays of the different rooms undergoing restoration.Storage room with ceiling decorations and other items carefully stored away.Lego men helping with the work.The chandeliers are at ground level allowing detailed inspection and cleaning.Crystals and family photographs.ChandelierPiano and notices
The gardens were looking beautiful and the lime tree walks lead out to the large green space. Looking back there are views of the building, although this time it is covered up for the restoration work. As I made my way up to the river Arrow, I saw the stalls for Myton Hospice who have a summer display along the river. Along the west riverbank, there are numerous butterflies planted along the waterside as memorials to loved ones. These lead onto the footbridge and the riverwalk. There is so much to explore at Coughton Court and each visit is a different experience.
The rear view of the Tudor house under renovation.The butterfly display by Myton Hospice on the river banks.
There was still one more treat in store as we were given an early access to the walled garden. This was a wonderful opportunity to view the various ‘rooms’ of this extensive garden without too many people spoiling the picture. There are several picturesque views and the flowers were in full bloom. There were many bees out and about especially on the lavender borders. I took many pictures in the garden and I noticed that many other photographers were doing the same thing. I particularly liked the quirky growth on the Lysimachia flowers. They resembled ducks with their crooked growth. After taking our fill of the gardens, we retired to the outside courtyard for a well-deserved coffee break. There was a quick review of our pictures and the we said our goodbyes.
The water feature within the walled garden with St Peter’s church in the background.Bees on the lavenderLysimachia
The National Trust is highlighting the importance of take time out of our busy lives to reconnect with nature. This reminds us of how beautiful nature is and the joy and happiness that it can bring. This IgersbirminghamUK Instameet was an opportunity to do just this and we wish to thank the National Trust for allowing us to visit Coughton Court. Thanks to Nicky Warwickshire of the IgersbirminghamUK team for organising the Instameet.
Thanking Gum and her team for allowing us to spend time in Coughton Court. We loved our time and the opportunity to take photographs.
If you enjoyed this report on the IgersbirminghamUK meeting or wish to visit other National Trust properties I have put links to other blog entries below.
When visiting the Back to Backs in Birmingham, your booking includes an hour and a half tour of the premises. The buildings were built with speed and were cheap to both buy and live in. In 1870, Birmingham was undergoing tremendous change as people were coming into the city looking for work. The backs to backs were quickly put up to accommodate the increasing population. The buildings now blend into the modern landscape around this area of Birmingham known as Southside.
Back to backs entrance on Hurst Street.
Our National Trust guide was Dick, who met us outside on Hurst street and after an introductory talk of the background to the Back to Backs led us into the buildings. We started in the yard and this was followed by the inside tour of the Back to backs known as Court 15. The rooms are small and negotiating the staircases between the properties is challenging. As we progressed through the 4 houses that make up the Back to Backs, Dick kept us entertained and informed about how life would have been. Through his descriptions of the people, we began to understand what living in these cramped houses meant and learnt how these humble residences were much loved family homes.
Pictures from the Yard of Court 15
View of the yard looking towards the first two Back to backs.
– There is a bike, skateboard, a pram and other games that would be part of life.
There are four houses to visit and the first one is an early reproduction of life in the 1870’s. The second house exemplified life of a large family. There were 11 children and often a couple of lodgers were taken in. They all lived in the same place. Space was so scarce that the chest of drawers doubled up as a cot for the baby. Birmingham was known as the City of a 1,000 trades and in this house, the family were proficient at glass work and in particular glass eyes. The properties changed hands at a regular rate yet the occupants of the third property lived in the Back to Backs for most of their lives. This house illustrated how electricity was introduced and there were other comforts such as a radio.
Dinner table set up in the first house.A chamberpot tucked under a bed.Reproduction of elaborate stencilling patterns.The second house accommodated a family of 11 and lodgers. A bed for three youngsters and a curtain partition to the right.Space for the baby.Tools of a toymaker enabling them to make many different items.Fancy a glass eye?Assorted items from the third house.
Court 15 is unusual in that it survived the demolition that took place all around the area. The City removed the back to backs and replaced them with flats and other houses. The reason that these Back to backs survived, is likely to have been the businesses that were associated with them. The National Trust have recreated a tailor’s shop in the final property. George Saunders came from St Kitts and after a variety of jobs set up his tailor’s shop in Court 15. He was an enterprising man and his made to measure suits were sought after by the local clientele. The shop’s position near to the Hippodrome assisted with much of the business in this area.
The tailor’s shop notice the Roy Rodger’s wallpaper.
We started and finished in the communal yard where we visited the communal washhouse. At the end of the tour, I asked Dick if he would be part of my 100 strangers project and he agreed. The picture is taken around the outside toilets which gives an insight to the conditions that people had to endure in the Back to Backs.
The communal wash house.Dick who was our guide pictured holding open the door to one of the outside toilets.
There were many details in the Back to backs that caught my eye. The yard has many angles and props that bring the place to life. There are old prams, bottles, skittles to name a few. Each house is a treasure trove of differing objects including chamber pots and mini work tops where craftsmen worked. The living rooms contained items that would have been commonly used by the family. These rooms have been photographed many times before and I am adding to the many records. For myself the journey was fun as much of it reminded me of my own childhood when I was sitting in family houses around Manchester looking up at the pictures on the walls and the pieces of China on the mantlepiece.
A China miniature reminds me of my childhood view of my grandparent’s house.
The layout of the living quarters were not that dissimilar. The accompanying guidebook is a good companion to your visit to the Back to Backs and beings out more details about the life and times of the people who lived in these unassuming buildings. This year is the 20thanniversary of the renovation of the Back to Backs by the National Trust and I was pleased to be able to visit after passing them so many times in my walks through Birmingham.
A striking picture of what the unrestored rooms looked like in the Back to backs.
If you enjoyed this blog on the Back to backs then please visit my visits to other National Trust properties on my blog. Just search National Trust. I have added one link but there are many more.
I am very fortunate to live within a few miles of two outstanding National Trust properties. Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton are within walking distance of each other and during the summer I visit them on my bike. Both houses have different charms. Baddesley is a moated house in a picturesque setting. The gardens are well laid out and are fantastic to see in the summer months when they are in full bloom. Packwood house is charming and whilst it does not have a moat, there are other unique features. Packwood has the amazing topiary called the Sermon on the Mount and a walled kitchen garden where one can follow the changes in the vegetation during the year. There is little to choose between the two houses.
The moat around Baddesley Clinton.
This Christmas both houses have upped their game and have really gone to town with their decorations. You would almost think that there is a competition between the two properties on who could put on the better display. Looking on the web, I realise that the majority of the National Trust properties enjoy putting up their decorations. This story of Christmas between these two houses is reenacted up and down the country.
Visiting Packwood each December is a delight and this year the house looked very Christmassy inside. Each room of the house has a Christmas tree. The larger Christmas trees are naturally in the bigger rooms. The Entrance Hall Christmas tree is decorated with handmade decorations and has a commanding presence. The three adjacent rooms each with their own Christmas tree are set up for welcoming guests to dinner in the 1920s. The place settings and the arrangement of the food on the table is carefully choreographed.
The tree in the Entrance Hall at Packwood.The room is set for a 1920’s Christmas dinner.One of the many Christmas trees at Packwood.
When photographing National Trust properties, I always look for the small things and those details that you miss whilst looking around the room. I am naturally drawn to the bigger view and as I entered each room, your eyes quickly alight on the brightly lit Christmas trees. The polished wooden floors reflect the light from the trees. For inside photography, I use my iPhone15 as the sensor quickly picks up the colours in the low light. I did try and use a long exposure setting with my compact camera but there were too many people moving around in a small space. Plus the volunteers do become worried when you bring out the tripod even though it is a small travel one.
Hand made decorationsPretty paper wheels.Baubles Dinner table settingReady for the ball.Beautiful tree.
Packwood has one room off the Long Gallery, that is set up with a minature town scene with skaters on white icelike flooring. As the picture shows the lighting effect in the darkened room produces a magical effect.
A magical scene at the foot of this Christmas Tree.Details of the sceneThe Christmas Tree.
The Long Gallery has two more Christmas trees and the final room has a long narrow decorated table that leads to another impressive tree. I counted 8 trees in all (I could be wrong). Along the way there was a story being told as the place was set up for a Christmas masquerade ball.
Dressed for the ball.Some beads in your tea.Baby its cold outside.The Christmas Tree in the Long Hall.
I did enjoy visiting the house, however, the place I loved the most was the kitchen garden. Here the old tree near to the entrance was decorated with all types of decorations. The afternoon light shimmered on the shiny lanterns. Many of the decorations like those in the house were hand made. There was continuation of the skating theme on the potting shelves.
Entrance to the Kitchen Garden.Skates on the potting shelves.Lantern in the tree.A beautifully decorated tree.
My Verdict on Packwood. The house is amazing with the Christmas trees that enhanced the beauty of the old building. The best part of my visit was viewing the outside tree in the Kitchen Garden.
Baddesley Clinton is fully prepared for Christmas. As you pass through the shop into the courtyard you, a Christmas tree awaits you. Before entering the house, I walked along the garden paths and loved the large, big red ribbons and the decorations of the summer house with the story of the Holly and the Ivy.
Lovely red ribbons.
The larger sloping greenhouse on the garden wall had orange slices hung up as decorations and there were pomanders (oranges with cloves) adorning the ceiling. Recipes for making mulled wine and smoking Bishops were available. I love the name of Smoking Bishop for an alcoholic drink. The walled garden and the vegetable growing areas were being prepared for winter by the gardeners and my time slot for the house entrance was due.
Decorated Greenhouse.PomandersMulled wineHolly and the IvyThe decorated entrance.Entering the garden and house.
The walk through the house was a Christmas tour de force. The kitchen was getting ready for a grand feast. There was a Christmas card display to browse over before entering the grand Christmas tree by an open fire in the Great Hall. The downstairs rooms were a delight to visit with preparations for dinner and carols being many of the activities being featured.
Christmas time by the fireplace.DecorationsRed and white bowsGingerbread manTable set for a feast.
Upstairs the first two rooms were all ready for Christmas presents to be delivered. Lady Chatterton’s Bedroom on the corner room overlooking the orchid was beautifully laid out and included a decorated tree. The next room was the Great Parlour and there was a spectacular frieze of children skating. This had the wow factor. There were two Christmas trees, children skating on the ice and little owls watching the proceedings. The final room had a frieze of a family singing carols. In the room, the exhibit I found most interesting was of the glass ornament that had a model of the house in a large jar.
This display had the Wow factor.Hand made decorations.A snowy owl hidden in the tree.Christmas StockingLady Chatterton’s Bedroom
After such an exciting visit to the house, I retired to the cafe and had a Turkey Bap with trimmings. This was a Christmas dinner at a reasonable price. Another highlight of my visit to the property.
My delicious Turkey Bap in the Stables restaurant.
My Verdict on Baddesley Clinton. Great food, some wonderful ideas put into practice with the decoration of the rooms and a garden ready for Christmas.
So two houses, giving two versions of Christmas, lots of trees, decorations, and food. Which of the two properties is better prepared for Christmas? I would recommend visiting and if you read this at a later date, my answer is that they both have captured the Christmas Spirit in a brilliant manner.
Thanks must go the National Trust employees and the volunteers whose industry at Christmas and throughout the year make these properties such fun places to visit. If you enjoyed this blog then I do have other entries of my visits to National Trust properties around the area. Click on this link to find all my visits.
I visited Packwood House at Christmas in 2021 and if you want to see what they did back then, the blog is below.
Visiting popular National Trust destinations does have its challenges if you are a keen amateur photographer. Hanbury Hall is so photogenic and countless pictures have been taken over the years. I would guess each season throws up wonderful views not only of the house but the impeccable gardens as well. Usually, before I visit a well-known property, I check over the web sites and look at other people’s photographs to find out which are the best views. As it happens for this visit, I did not get myself organised, so I went to Hanbury Hall not knowing what to expect.
The commanding entrance to Hanbury Hall.
Arriving by car you pass the front façade of the house and catch a glimpse of the striking architecture. Walking back to the house from the carpark, the entrance approach provides post card picture views. The property is operating a timed ticket entrance which limits the amount of people. This favours the photographer as in this case there are only a few people and not the crowds that may interrupt the pictures.
Lots of tubs with tulips
First stop was the interior of the house, and I met a volunteer who in a few minutes gave me all the information I needed. Also, I found out that she was a good photographer and took a picture of me on the grand staircase with the beautiful paintings as a backdrop. The building is interesting and there was much activity happening in the house. The volunteers did not mind having their photographs taken included one dressed up as the former owner of the house, Thomas Vernon. The staircase is beautiful and the wall to ceiling painting by the English painter Sir James Thornhill has so much to see. I spent some time moving around using my iPhone for the pictures finding that the wide-angle lens was very useful.
The beautiful painting that highlights the staircase.An upward viewA volunteer dressed up as “Thomas Vernon” former owner of the house.Preparing the table with the silverware.There are some beautiful rooms in the house.Inside viewand outside
Following that important mid-morning coffee, it was time to set off and explore the grounds of the house. I am always amazed how the National Trust find gardeners to tend and cultivate their extensive properties. They are so creative and design wonderful garden designs. The apple orchard was symmetrically laid out and the trees were just beginning to blossom.
The beautiful apple orchard.
The Orangery was a particular favourite of mine. The sun was shining in through the large windows accentuating the orange glow of the brick paintwork. I leant that this grade II listed building has red Flemish bond ashlar brickwork which gives the characteristic colour. There is also a tiled floor. One of the tiles has a dog paw print caused by a disobedient pet wandering around before the cement had set 250 years ago.
The OrangeryThe inside of the OrangeryThe 250 year old footprint!A pheasant greeting
The symmetry of the Pareteer garden was beautifully coloured by yellow tulips. The Encyclopaedia Britannica describes “a Pareteer as the division of garden beds in such a way that the pattern is itself an ornament.” It is like an Elizabethan knot garden and was fun to photograph. Linking the gardens is Snob’s tunnel which returns you to the back of the house. The tunnel allowed servants to move around without being seen by guests of the house.
Love the symmetry in the gardensThe house in a lensball.Snob’s TunnelBeautiful walks surround the property.
On my way home I visited Hanbury Church which is adjacent to the Hall and has commanding views over the river seven valley.
My quest to discover new National Trust properties took me to Croome House and Gardens in the heart of Worcestershire countryside. The day was glorious for March and just the weather to go exploring a new place. Arriving right on opening time, I took my map and quickly planned my visit. I had an hour before the house doors opened so I made my way along to the lake with an island feature at the end of the property. The tag line for Croome is expect the unexpected. There is certainly lots of unexpected views and points of interest along the path. The photographs provide an insight into the different views that can be seen at Croome. There are several outhouses and statues along the way. The lake had the final mist of the morning lingering on the edges with views of main house. Following on from the lake, I soon found myself approaching the house and the wooden bridge over the river made a good feature for framing the house in the background. This picture is the main feature of my blog and also made the BBC Midlands weather bulletin for that day.
Starting out on the walk at Croome.A view of the Lake from inside the GrottoCoombe House in the morning mist.A close up of the footbridge.
The house was interesting. Whilst it initially looked bare there were several strategically placed objects including urns that I was reliably informed were rare and individual. The house was slowly unpacking furniture and other items that were being loaned by the Victoria and Albert Museum. The wooden boxes looked very surreal in several of the rooms. There was a range of boxes in various stages of unpacking. One part that I really loved was where the bone china was being displayed. It was a glass and mirrored display box that you could walk into. The reflection of the plates was surreal. I took the opportunity to take different photographs including lying on the floor looking upwards with my camera. The results were quite incredible.
Another imaginative display.Whilst much of the interior furnishings have long gone, this sofa remains.
Walking out of the house into the expanse of the grounds, I carried on the path discovering outbuildings that commanded great views of the surrounding countryside. The final delight was the beautifully simple church with the afternoon sun shinning into it. This made for some good picture opportunities.
In my opinion, the National Trust membership is a bargain. You are able to visit and enjoy different properties, many of which have beautiful gardens to photograph. I am very fortunate to have several properties near to me including Packwood House, Baddesley Clinton and Coughton Court. These have featured in my past blogs as the links show. One place where I have made a fleeting visit previously is Upton House and on that occasion the place was very busy with a Christmas Fayre.
The front face of Upton HouseSpring is starting around the reflecting pool.View of the countryside around the gardens
The opportunity arose to visit on a weekday in March 2021 and so Sandy and I drove down to Upton House which is near to Banbury. The approach is quite dramatic as you negotiate Edge Hill which gives dramatic views of the Warwickshire countryside that borders Oxfordshire. Upton House is not far from the village of Edge Hill. The house and gardens of Upton House have a connection with Shell, with past Chairman, Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted owning the property in the 1930s. During this time he remodelled the house and gardens. The gardens take advantage of the dramatic layout of the land and the reflecting pool is a feature at the lower levels of the property.
The spectacular long galleryThe Interior of the Church of St Catherine, Utrecht” by Pieter Jansz SaenredamBeautiful detail in the porcelain figures. L’Agréable Leçon (The Agreeable Lesson) by Joseph Willems
The House is a treasure trove of artwork and also holds a large collection of fine china. There is much to see and enjoy. Visiting this National Trust property is a feast for the photographer and I took many pictures especially favouring the reflecting pool. One of my pictures was featured on BBC South Lunchtime news. The National Trust website contains detailed information about the house and gardens and as a reader I direct you there for further information. I took many photographs and I have put several here for you to enjoy.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
