Nick and Els took me on a lovely drive to Cliveden Estate, a stately home run by the National Trust in Buckinghamshire. It was once the home of the Duke of Buckinghamshire.
This is a part of the UK I did not know anything about so it was a special day out because we also passed Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed back in by King John on the 15 June 1215.
Nick took us on to have a look at the site and we were able to walk over to the installation of bronze chairs to represent the signing. It is set on a beautiful field framed by trees and next to the Thames River. The National Trust look after the site and the area has been signposted and upgraded recently to celebrate an anniversary of the signing. It is a popular picnic site today and many families were walking and picnicking on the grounds.
These surprises and special areas of history make the UK so interesting. Who knows what you will see next?
We drove on towards Maidenhead and Cliveden Estate. Els used to live here many years ago which is how she knew about the estate although she had never been there before.
There is a hotel here,400 pounds a night to stay here!!! Nick and Els thought it might be a nice place to have a weekend break until Els looked it up online and saw the costs involved.
The grounds are extensive and beautifully maintained by the trust who are upgrading and working on the restoration of the front terrace overlooking the Buckinghamshire countryside.
We visited the little chapel overlooking the countryside called the Oriental Chapel,
featuring glass mosiacs panels depicting the apostles and paintings of the virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity etc.
We walked along to the partarre and admired the colourful plantings of gladiolus, begonias and salvias etc in triangular box hedge gardens. A formal design with views out over the countryside and back up to the house.
The walk ended with a statue of Greek classical origins set in a half moon shaped planting of colourful bedding begonias.
We walked back up to see the perennial borders which were really striking and superbly planted with graduating heights of reds,yellows and bronze colours.
After we explored Cliveden gardens we drove to Bray where we had a drink at a 15th Century pub called the Hinds Head. The famous chef Heston Blumnental owns this place and it is cooky like his cooking.
This town has two Michelin starred restaurants in a small village. The Fat Duck and Riverside so all you foodies will know where to go for a dining experience.
After our drink we drove to Windsor and walked around the town and castle walks. The Queen was in residence so flags were flying. I did not realise that she could walk out the gates and pick up a pizza!!!
It was a lovely strolling around the castle walls and into the Royal railway station now a shopping mall. Surprising to see the beggars on the street here outside the palace. We saw The leaning house and the gate the Queen drove through. Unfortunately the light was not good for photos so it was hard to get a good perspective but it is an impressive castle.
We left about seven and drove back to London for tea. It was warm enough to sit outside and eat our dinner. We had lots of delicious left overs from our barbecue last night with Jenny Durling. Such a good night that was too. We missed Lou and Jonathon but hopefully they are having a great holiday in Spain,swimming and relaxing in the sun.😎😎😎😎
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