52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 11 - A walk around Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (5th April 2010)

Todays walk took us to one of our favourite places - Wrest Park at Silsoe, Bedfordshire. Apologies to any of you who followed my blog last year if I bore you with yet more photos of the park. I decided this visit to focus on taking photos of some of the buildings within the park.

The garden at Wrest Park are considered by some to be the most magnificent gardens in England, yet one of the least well known. Wrest Park was the home of the De Grey family from the 13th century until 1917. The old manor house was demolished when the present house designed by Thomas, Earl de Grey, an enthusiast for 18th-century French architecture, was completed by 1839.




The domed pavilion (originally called the Banqueting House) which stands at one end of a long canal was designed in by Thomas Archer in 1709. It is hexagonal on the outside and circular inside with winding stairs going up to tiny rooms.




The impressive Bowling Green House built in the 18th century unsurprisingly stands in front of the bowling green with hedges surrounding it.



It is difficult to photograph the Orangery which dates from the 1830s as it is approached through an avenue of trees which prevent getting a photo of the whole of the building from the front.




My favourite building I think is the Bath House with its pool, and pebble and knucklebone floor.



Last year, after visiting Wrest Park many, many times we stumbled across this little wooden house near the old orchard. Everytime I see it I think is Hansel and Gretel or the children's song 'Little Cottage in the Woods'.