Visiting Upton House

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 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 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.

Further reading
Upton House on the National Trust Website
The National Trust Collections website with further details of the painting by Pieter Jansz Saenredam and the porcelain figures by Joseph Willems.