Farleigh Hungerford Castle, The Courts Garden and Great Chalfield Manor

I hadn't intend going to Farleigh Hungerford Castle but I was out too early for the first NT property and I saw the sign so off I toddled.

Farleigh Hungerford Castle was built between 1377 and 1383 by Sir Thomas Hungerford who was a steward of John of Gaunt. The castle survived the Civil War but it became unlived in during the 18th century and fell into disrepair.

This is the priests house which is now a nice small museum,

You may have noticed a church above. This was the parish church but when the castle was extended it was incorporated into the Castle and became the chapel, the family built the village a new chapel. I don't know (nor did the EH chap) if it is still consecrated. It is well worth a visit. The painting of St George is very rare.

This is the arms of when the family were barons. But by the time this was painted they lost the title!

Well worth a visit, as usual a good audio tour. It tells you about the families tumultuous life.

So off to the Courts a small, but lovely, garden in Holt just north of Bradford Avon. It was, I believe, created in the first part of the 20th century.

The tearoom is excellent (the cakes looked lovely) but this blueberry scone was disappointing.

About a mile or so from the Courts is Great Chalfield Manor. Which is a rare example of an occupied pre-Tudor mansion. The setting with the church is fabulous. the manor was built by Thomas Tropnell around 1470, the current church was built by Tropnell around 1480. The house was repaired by Major Robert Fuller between 1905-1911. The house is still lived in by the Fuller's who manage it for the Trust. The house is visited by guided tour and there is no photography.

All Saints church (in the book for its setting really, I've been before).

Great Chalfield along with the Courts are two of my favourite NT properties. I often prefer the small properties.