January is always a bleak month in England; it’s cold, everyone seems to be depressed and grumpy but the silver lining is that everyone stays at home meaning that you get to play tourist in England without every Tom, Dick and Harry getting in your photos. So last weekend I went on a mini tiki tour to Northamptonshire to visit the English Heritage Property, Kirby Hall and thought I would share the adventure as part of my Days Out in England series.
Jumping in the smurf mobile with a dodgy sat nav that I should really think about updating (7 years is a long time between updates!) I hit the icy road. I’d picked Kirby Hall as not many English Heritage properties are open during the winter months (same problem with the National Trust properties also) and it was close to home.
Arriving at Kirby Hall was pretty uneventful until I parked in the middle of a huge puddle which then I had to walk through (doh!). I was greeted by a lovely member of staff from English Heritage whom zapped my card and gave me the necessary map then directions to the toilets (which I then got lost walking too!).
Kirby Hall was once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, the Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I so I was expecting grand things and I wasn’t disappointed.
Part of the property is roofless as it fell into major disrepair many many years ago but it adds a certain romance to the property. I did feel a princess in my converse and did a merry little dance in the courtyard until I got caught out by a rather dashing young man!
There was still a light frost on the ground and this kiwi girl struggles with the cold so I decided to have a snoop inside Kirby Hall – the property has a small display on the history of the property and a limited amount of furniture so it’s very simple…
the large windows let the sunshine warm up the rooms to keep me toasty warm!
I just couldn’t get enough of the windows or fireplaces…
and the space, oh to be a princess! As the property was empty of visitors I could walk around on the creaky floorboards and bask in the sunshine (can you tell I’m craving Vitamin D at the moment).
After having my snoop inside it was time to get outside into the crisp winter air and wander through the gardens. Unfortunately January isn’t the best time for gardens in England however I could see that during the spring and summer months Kirby Hall would be stunning to visit.
Blue skies in January and gorgeous stately homes are good for the soul!
So I became an English Heritage member a few months back; it costs £49 per person and I’m hoping that I will be able to recoup the cost back by visiting a few properties over the year. The entrance fee for Kirby Hall is £6 pp and if you add my previous visit to Wrest Park I’ve only got £34 to go to recoup the total membership price!
What’s your favourite English Heritage Property?
xx
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