After our breakfast, we had a wander around Shireoakes Hall which as you can see is in a very derelict state. I don't know if it is beyond repair - I hope not. This area in North Notts is known as "The Dukeries" so called because it contained 4 ducal seats close to each other. As well as the big houses, there are literaly dozens of other huge houses - some still lived in, others in ruin dotted around the area. When we are in France, we always notice how many Chateaux there are, we tend not to see whats under our nose here on our doorstep. This place would be great to live in. It has a huge walled garden that I could play in every day. It also has 2 wonderful French looking barns that Mum decided we could convert to house her ( I would never have to do any ironing ever again!! Worth thinking about!!). Fingers crossed for a lottery win.
The house has several fishing lakes surrounding it. All the geese were paired up and swimming around with their goslings. We spotted 3 families and I got as close as I dared. The babies were fluffy and gawky and comical to watch.
We then moved on to Welbeck where we had another walk, and more food, and dodged more showers. I think I wore her out - but we had a great day.
** Edited to add that Mum is not moving house - we were just "imagining" *****
17 comments:
So very sad that fine buildings are left to the elements. Every time I see a vintage building restored it lifts my heart.
The house looks so forlorn, it's really sad when places are neglected like that. The Dukeries is only a name to me, it'a an area that I don't know at all. It's odd really, I've hardly visited Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire both of which I've lived close to all my life yet counties like Suffolk and Sussex which are a good distance away I know really well.
You could have popped into the studio on Saturday I too was at Welbeck. Do you know Diane I have lived almost all my life around here and never seen the old ruined house and just yesterday I popped into Worksop and parked somewhere new and lo and behold Worksop has the site of a medieval castle right in the middle of town - you could have knocked me down with a feather! well actually a bulldozer cos although the diet is going well I am truly not skinny enough to be knocked over by a small light feather. Take care.
Oh just to say Thorpe Salvin not far from Shireoaks also has an old ruined hall (I think) but its on private land (I think) but Thorpe is a nice village to visit, little church, quaint houses and pub which serves excellent homemade food. Its called the Parish Oven.
You have given me another idea for one of our Sundays out Diane. Thanks for the info. Glad you had a good day. Leaving somewhere is always a wrench but hopefully your mum will be so busy when she moves not to dwell on it too much.
Jenny x
Your posts are always so interesting it amazes me how you find so much of interest close by. I can just imagine how lovely that house could be if you got hold of it and restored it. Your Mum in a restored barn sounds the perfect answer :-) Diane
The fishing lakes would sell the house to my hubby, he longs for a house with a lake to fish on, oh for that lottery win. Looks like you had a lovely day out, and the goslings are so cute.
I can see you as the lady of the manor!
I think we are not going to St Ives this year :O(
Ayr wont take long weekenders during the summer. So keep the treasure for next year!!
If we do get there in autumn I shall def leave you a treasure!
xx
I take it your Mum likes ironing then? My Mum used to iron everything including towels and knickers!
By the way, how's your bay doing? Mine has got new shoots coming up from the bottom, yay!
I'm same as Two Bones.. lived round there all my youth, and visit regularly, and yet I never knew about all these houses - it does look sad and it IS sad if its just left to rot! We need that win!
Shame about the house - but what a good restoration project for someone!
such a shame that great houses like that are left to the elements, it certainly would be an amazing house to restore (of course by that I mean get someone else to do the hard graft while looking on from afar in a hard hat with a cup of tea and a biscuit in hand...)
Hope your mums move goes well - I'm sure it will!
BH x
The geese and goslings are funny but what a lovely setting for them. Shame the house hasn't been restored. Hope you win the lottery and you and your mum can live there happily ever after. Hope her move goes well. Moving is a stressful time.
What a shame about the old hall it looks as if it has been very grand in its time. I do hope someone will rescue it - it looks roofless or maybe it has a hidden roof?. As you know I grew up close to the Dukeries nearest to Clumber but also Thoresby and Welbeck.I only know of the big well known houses - this one was new to me:)
Fingers crossed for the lottery win. You could convert the other barn for blog friends to stay in!
Lisa x
We like to dream too! I am at the moment dreaming about a little empty shop in the village....I was thinking crafty cafe sort of place! It would be sad if we couldn't dream!
xxx
Ironing ... wot's ironing?
Need to email re. visit. It's my birthday and I'm being whisked away for a couple of days right in the middle of your week, so need to arrange a day with you hun xx
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