Ickworth

It's a bit of a shock at the moment to arrive at a property English summer and to find it a bit chilly in August ! So we have a bank holiday weekend and the weather is a bit naff.

I wandered to Ickworth for a stroll.

Blueberry & Lemon Drizzle scone.... rather nice

The Gardens of Easton Lodge

Easton Lodge was a Victorian Gothic building. Its most famous inhabitant was Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick who hosted many society parties often frequented by Edward Prince of Wales who happened to be her lover.

The House was largely destroyed by fire in 1918 and the gardens (designed by Harold Peto) fell into disrepair. There has been a long and slow restoration of the garden. Although if you've been visiting a while you can see definite progress.

The gardens were open much more often but now it is once a month (April to September) and for the snow drops. Every opening is an "event" today was a Pirate Day and there was music from Woodwind of Stortford. I guess this cuts costs and maximises revenue which makes sense.

The estate was requisitioned by the by the War Office during World War II and used by the 190 and 620 RAF (Stirling) Squadrons. Apparently 10,000 trees on the estate were destroyed for the building of RAF Great Dunnow. What was left of the house was largely demolished following its return. The West Wing was largely abandoned until it bought in 1971 and is now used as a private house.