Packwood House

Packwood House, a National Trust property, is an ancient manor house with a long history. It was owned and developed over the centuries by aspirational people: gentleman farmers, Black Country industrialists. In the 1920s and 1930s it was remodelled with an eye for glamour, quality and conservation.

 

The sundial wing

 



 

 

 

The oldest part of the house

 



 

 

During our last visit we walked through the Carolean garden heading for the yew garden

two gazebos on either side of the entrance of the new garden

looking back at the house

 

 

 

 



and then we entered the yew garden. Some of the yew trees are over 200 years old and they are immaculately clipped

 

 

they look majestic

During the 1920s and 1930s the owner of the house liked to host a series of 'Follies': theatrical entertainments and plays in architectural structures in the gardens. These have now been given a contemporary re-working by artist Hilary Jack who has been commissioned to make three artworks for the new Packwood Follies. All three are to be found in the yew garden.

 

 

 

The day was sunny and the light quite amazing. The shades of green in the yew garden were vibrant

and the shadows cast by these giant, manicured hedges added to the drama of the place

The modern 'follies' have been named Hive as it is hoped that they will eventually provide shelter and homes for bees, insects and other small creatures.

There is Ken in the background, dwarfed by the gigantic yews

Children particularly like playing here as they can run around, play hide-and-seek or chase each other

Our whole time there was punctuated by their shrieks of delight as they run around

 

The yew trees look like giants marching on the immaculate lawn

 

 

We then came to the end of the yew garden, passed through these two 'columns'

 

and started walking round and round the winding path

 



 

 

stopping to admire the views of the yews

until we reached the centre which featured a bench for those who wanted a rest

 

 

 

as we left that small enclosure we could see all the way down the yew garden with the house at the end

and started making our way back towards the house.

We then came across the last folly. These hollies have been constructed from the remnants of discarded reproduction furniture and found wood collected from around the estate.

On our way to the lake we looked back at the yew garden

 

and to our left, we had a different view of the house

 

 

 

The lake was magnificent - it was a very still day, nothing moved

 

not even the Canada geese 

 

 

 

 

To the left we could see the causeway, a walk or drive along the dam of the pool leading from the gardens to the park 



 

 

 

By the lake we found another folly: Embedded, a giant, hand carved, four-poster bed made from a felled oak.

the kids enjoyed playing in it

 

 

 

 a gorgeous day, wonderful autumn colours,

 

 

 

 

and having retraced our steps, we had another look at the house, and headed for home.