Close to the end of my visit to Phil in Poole, he took me to see a lovely National Trust property called Kingston Lacy (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy), which is located near Wimborne just out of Poole itself. It was for many years the family seat of the Bankes family who lived nearby at Corfe Castle until its destruction in the English Civil War. A recent member of the family handed over the property to the National Trust in 1982, so most of it is now open to the public. Let's just say that it is a grand fully furnished home as my accompanying pictures show.
The family was Royalist in the civil War, which explains the statue of Charles 1 in the entrance hall
You'll notice in many of the photographs that the walls are covered in many fine paintings by leading artists of the day.
And the home has a great collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts 'borrowed' from archaeological sites in the Middle East.
The mansion is imposing ... along with the stables ... and it's surrounded by expansive and attractive formal gardens.
The visit had, however, a dark side in that in the mid-19th century an owner way gay and had to retreat overseas to Italy to keep clear of the hang-man's noose. Many people were hanged for their sexual deviation in Britain and the house had a display of nooses in the entrance! This is something not normally found in stately homes!
AS
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ps There was also a massive seashell collection by the last owners family. I picked up a couple of seashells and listened to the sea. Did you collect Seashells Uncle Tony?
Those photos of Kingston Lacey look lovely, Uncle Tony. I had the pleasure of going around Basildon Park in Tilehurst yesterday with a friend. Basildon Park has a link with Charles Dickens , the American army and was built in the 1780's. The last owners restored much of the property themselves and the tour was backwards and the curtains closed to help prevent damage to the walls, curtains and furniture.
From someone who had a Christian education I wouldn't know what sexual deviancy was I am afraid and I do not want to know. No offence taken I hope. The ropes hanging down do look frightening though.
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