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Monday 26 November 2018

Beaulieu















Palace House, once the gatehouse of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey, has been the Montagu family home since 1538.
In an idyllic New Forest setting, overlooking the picturesque Beaulieu River millpond, Palace House was remodeled and extended during the 1800s and is now a fine example of a Victorian country house. Inside, its ecclesiastical heritage sets the grand gothic tone for a home bristling with character and adorned with family trees.
Palace House was used as one of the primary locations in The Honourable Rebel, a feature film based on Elizabeth Montagu's life. The Dining Hall and Drawing Room are just two of the rooms you may
recognise in this fascinating true story of Edward 3rd Baron Montagu.









I copied the above from the website of 

Beaulieu.


It is rather clumsily copied, I'll give you that, but it's the intro you need for this post and there you go, that's me, clumsily techno.


The Accidental Phone-ist

And whilst we're talking clumsy, the reason I didn't post these shots earlier is because on my return, I dropped my phone down the toilet.  As one does.  There ensued a long period whilst my phone rested in a bag of rice before eventually I had to leave it to close for business with dignity, get a new superduper replacement and retrieve the pics from iCloud.   It's never a quick story with me eh?!

It was the second of my phone's to meet this accidental fate this year.  
I'm rather like this with tyre flatties too!




So, during my recent trip to Southampton I visited Beaulieu.  And what a pleasant surprise it was.  We decided to focus on the main house, the abbey, the monorail and a couple of the smaller museums, leaving the very large motor museum for another day.


Palace House


The arbor is tranquil.


This house and I are clearly MFEO!





I've said it before but as a tourist I make a good bag lady!




Bag lady status confirmed.  I call this look relaxed-messy!





Guest-ready.



The kitchen wouldn't look out of place in today's home.


Bag Lady to Lady Mary!  Here with the butler and housekeeper. ๐Ÿ˜Š



When asking permission to post their photo on the blog, I mentioned how some American readers are bowled over by Downton.  The housekeeper immediately whisked me away upstairs, telling me that the house had a strong connection to the U.S.  She showed me this portrait of the Earl of Southampton, a previous owner of the house.  He  travelled to America in the Elizabethan era and "discovered" The Hamptons, which are named after him!


And this is "his" study, obviously furnished a little differently today.



The dining table was laid out with an autumn setting.


The cook is planning what feast to put in m'lord's dining table.



Whilst the maid busies herself pressing m'lady's pantaloons!




The entertainment centre.



The  cute inner courtyard dressed for autumn.


Yes, this was one stately home that I could imagine Lady Mary actually living in!


The Monorail


I really enjoyed this little trip, travelling through the tree canopies of the estate.  I oohed and ahhed like a little child, but sadly after fact this shot leaving the station my phone battery closed for business!


The Abbey








Traditional harvest decoration.


And a sign of the times.


This was a great day out, with plenty to do, see and learn about and there was a happy, friendly vibe to the place right from the chirpy chappie on the ticket desk.   If you find yourself in the Southampton area, then Beaulieu is well worth a visit.

Find out more about the house, museums and attractions by following this link  https://www.beaulieu.co.uk.



A la perchoine, 
Lady Mary.










16 comments:

  1. What a fantastic day out Mary. I went there years ago with mum and step dad, only remember seeing the rows and rows of cars. Hope you had fun there. Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    1. Well Jacqui, if you're a car fan that would have been a fabulous day out. We found that the car museum entry was way too pricey for a group of girlies with little interest in cars! Hugs my sweet, x.

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  2. What a lovely place to visit and so interesting. Love the dining rooms in particular.

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    1. Oh you and me both on the dining rooms, Christy! I always gravitate to them. Next time you're visiting the old country you may just want to add it to your list of must-sees. Hugs my dear, x.

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  3. What a fabulous day you had. It must be more than 20 years since we last visited with our daughter. I think it's time Mr Mc and I thought about returning

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    1. Then dear Jill, if you live in day-out distance then do give it a try as you'll probably find lots of new things there. Hugs my sweet, x.

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  4. Oh Lady Mary, err, Lady Leoprint! What a wonderful experience. We are obsessed with Downton Abbey. In fact Brian and I are getting tickets to visit the Downton Abbey exhibit in West Palm Beach. Apparently they have recreated the whole place and we can tour every room! I may never leave!!!
    Hugs!
    Kellyann

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    Replies
    1. Well take your jammies and toothbrush cos the smart money is on you NOT leaving. It sounds an amazing experience and I'm holding my breath in anticipation of your post on it. Meatime, hugs to you sweet sista, x.

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  5. That does look a lovely place to visit, Mary. I absolutely loved the Gothic dining chairs - fantastic! You looked like a very smart tourist indeed - you suit the moniker 'Lady Mary' very well!

    Hope your week is going well.
    xxx

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    1. Vronni, the patina on the dining room furniture is sheer beauty.
      Thanks but I always find I'm draped messily in scarf, bag and flapping coat when I'm touristing.
      The day is unfolding with increasing winds so I've battened down the hatches today. Hope your weather isn't hindering your rambling.
      Keep warm, keep colourful, x.

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  6. What a wonderful tour you took us on!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it Jodie, and if I'd known you'd joined me I would have set a place for you at our cream tea afterwards!
      Hugs my lovely, x.

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  7. I rather like that kitchen haha as you say it's very on trend! I've been meaning to visit here (it's not too far from me). Great to see inside, thanks xx Maria
    https://www.passionfruitpawsandpeonies.com

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    1. Well, Maria, if it's in day-out distance then do go. It was a house I could actually imagine LIVING in, and who knows, you may feel the same and we'll be fighting for countertop space in that gorgeous kichen!
      Hugs, x.

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  8. Put a sign on the toilet door Mary! No phones aloud! You do make me giggle! It;s happened to me once though and most probably a lot of us. Lucky to get the photos and the day looks lovely. I love finding places like this xx

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    Replies
    1. Well, Laurie, TWO phones down the pan in six months, you've got to laugh! But yes, the Phone Police are out checking my pockets before every toilet visit! Especially as I now have a top of the range phone (= expensive!) to encourage me to respect them - but it's waterproof to 1 metre and I'm itching to test it!!
      You find the most gorgeous buildings in your area, Laurie.
      Hugs, x.

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