Autumn in Upton House

 

A visit to Upton House, the country home of a millionaire in the 1930s and a National Trust property today.

 

 

The battle of Edgehill was fought just 1 mile from Upton, so a Civil War Camp was established in the grounds, just for this weekend.

 

 



 

The battle of Edgehill was the first pitched battle of the First English Civil War - its inconclusive result prevented either faction gaining a quick victory in the war which eventually lasted four years.

The smells coming out of the cauldron were enticing

 

and lots more food was being prepared.

 



 

 

 

 

Basket weaving was in progress

 

 

 

and there's always time for a well-deserved rest and for pipe smoking

 

 

 

 

 

and a hold and cuddle are always welcome.

 



 

 

We walked along the big avenue, got to the back of the house and reached the big lawn at the end of which is the ha ha

 

the house

We stood on the bricks at the edge of the ha ha and looked down the big drop to the vegetable garden and the mirror pool beyond



 

zooming in

 

 

I suddenly heard gun shots and dogs barking. My heart sank. I looked across the mirror pool to the field that borders the grounds and my suspicions were confirmed. A hunt. The folly, selfishness and sense of entitlement of these arrogant, cruel people made my blood boil and I felt so sorry for the poor fox ...

By the mirror pool is a beautifully trimmed hedge that is so perfect it looks unreal

 

A last look at the honey-coloured, mellow stone of the house

 

 

 

 

before taking the path down to the small pool and the bog garden

 



 

 

wonderful roots of this old tree - and what about the luminous colour of the grass?

 

looking closer.

 

 

 

 



 

The small pool

 

 

 



with lots of golden carp

The bog garden area was closed to visitors

 a sign said 'stop and admire', so we did

 

 

 

the richness of autumn colours is such a joy at this time of year

 



 

 

 

looking back at the path we had just taken

Looking up at the steps that lead to the ha ha and eventually the house

 

 



 

 

 

lots to see in the vegetable garden

 



 

 

The mirror pool is not at its best at the moment. It's in the process of being drained at the moment.