We visted Doddington Hall in May 2004. Here are two excerpts from their website: -
"Doddington Hall is a much loved family home and has never been sold since it was built in 1595 by Robert Smythson, one of England?s foremost Elizabethan architects. The mellow brick exterior with its walled courtyards has barely changed while the interior was redecorated in Georgian times in a light and elegant style. The original walled courtyards now enclose fabulous formal gardens whilst beyond the walls you will discover romantic wild gardens and nature walks. Over 400 years of unbroken family occupation has resulted in fascinating collections of furniture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, porcelain, household objects along with a wealth of amusing stories. A visit to Doddington offers a unique insight into family life through the ages and the challenges of looking after such a house in the 21st Century."
"The mellow Elizabethan walls provide the framework for the formal East and West gardens which are faithful to the original Elizabethan layout. The West garden, reorganised with the help of Kew in 1900, is a riot of colour from April through to September, with luxuriant, wide borders filled with some botanical surprises such as naturalised Crown Imperials and the Handkerchief Tree. There is a tapestry of box-edged parterres bursting with a glorious display of Bearded Irises in May/June and sumptuous herbaceous borders."
Here are a few of my photos: -
Eric H
