Newark Park

For the past few days we've been visiting sister Kirsty and her husband David in Yate and sister Sue joined us too. On Thursday morning we took a trip to Newark Park, the National Trust property where niece Katrina works. The weather forecast was for possible hail showers so we wrapped up warm. 

Newark Park is near Wotton-under-Edge in the Cotswolds. It stands proud on top of the Cotswold escarpment, looking down into the Ozleworth valley and to the Mendips beyond. 

The 'New Worke' was built in 1550 by Nicholas Poyntz, previously an influential English courtier to Henry VIII. The house, garden and estate would grow and develop over 350 years, followed by a short but grave period of decline, to then be lovingly restored by the Texan architect Robert Parsons in the 1970s and 80s, as described here. You can read more about the history of the place here.

Here are a few of my photos.

Oo look. Some snowdrops.

Local schoolchildren chose the name for the restored dragon weathervane - he's called Spike.

There are some lovely views from the house and terrace over the Ozleworth valley and beyond.

Katrina was able to come out for a couple of minutes to say hello.

This is the sham castle folly, which Robert restored.

There is a park next to the folly with lots of animal carvings. I liked the bats best.

This part of the wall by the pleasure ground was apparently a figgery.

The crinkle crankle wall is being restored. It was created by Robert Parsons and not original. Crinkle crankle walls are a feature of Suffolk, as described here. Hmm. I think I'm going to have to go and find some now.

Up above, the skies started to look threatening over the house....

...and sure enough, it started to hail.

Time to vis the house then.

The Clutterbuck windows are very impressive.

Outside in the garden again and about to head on... but not before another snowdrop photo.

What a lovely place. No wonder Katrina enjoys working there.

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr.