Our longest journey of the year saw the group make an earlier than usual start to the day by leaving Hucknall at 8.30 am. After a journey of just over two hours we arrived to fine weather at the beautiful and very large Wimpole Estate.
The Estate is one of the jewels in the National Trust collection. There has been a dwelling on the site for over two thousand years and the site has evidence of Roman occupation. Many families have occupied the house over the years before the last owner Mrs Bambridge ,the daughter of Rudyard Kipling, bequeathed the property to the National Trust upon her death in 1976.
Unlike most National Trust properties the many rooms reflect different periods from history. A Roman bath contrasted, for example, with a 1770’s dining room.
Elsewhere in the grounds are a large walled garden, a working rare breeds farm including shire horses, pigs and sheep. The grounds which are set in beautiful countryside also had a range of well signed walks.
A courtyard with a large gift shop, cafe, an area selling plants and a nearby church all form part of a wonderful estate.
Everyone agreed that it was a lovely site and well worth the early start!! Leaving Wimpole promptly at 4.00 pm we were back in Hucknall for 6.20 pm.
Our next visit on July 31st takes us through the Peak District to Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire which still has a working mill and other buildings connected to the once thriving cotton trade.