We recently made another visit to Stoneleigh Abbey, very near where we live in Warwick: a stately home that has been beautifully restored since it was devastated by fire in 1960. Originally home to an order of Cistercian monks granted land by Henry II in 1145, this later evolved into a gracious seventeenth century residence,Continue reading “Stoneleigh Abbey – a Glorious Restoration and a Fascinating Historical Tour”
Category Archives: architecture
A Special Place in Warwickshire to Reflect Upon Our Wills and Fates: St Peter’s Church Wootton Wawen – Saxon Sanctuary
Our wills and fates do so contrary run That our devices still are overthrown; Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own. Shakespeare: Hamlet, III, 2, 602 Surely the best places to reflect upon the universal truths that lie behind Shakespeare’s words above, are the many historical sites to be found in hisContinue reading “A Special Place in Warwickshire to Reflect Upon Our Wills and Fates: St Peter’s Church Wootton Wawen – Saxon Sanctuary”
Stoneleigh Abbey: A Setting to Inspire Jane Austen for Her Novels
If this be error and upon me proved I never writ nor no man ever loved. Shakespeare: Sonnet 116 Certainly, among novelists living and working in the centuries following Shakespeare’s outpourings of genius, it can most truly be said of Jane Austen that if anything she wrote be error and upon her proved, then sheContinue reading “Stoneleigh Abbey: A Setting to Inspire Jane Austen for Her Novels”
The Throckmortons of Coughton Court, Warwickshire: A Family Forever Linked to those Who Conspired to Murder their King
Approaching Coughton Court, the ancestral seat of the Throckmortons, near Alcester in Warwickshire, we may admire the mellow sandstone sixteenth century house with its dramatic battlemented gatehouse tower and lovely timbered north and south wings. In front is the most exquisitely laid-out garden packed with abundant lavenders. Everything about this house and its surrounding groundsContinue reading “The Throckmortons of Coughton Court, Warwickshire: A Family Forever Linked to those Who Conspired to Murder their King”
Inspiration from JRR Tolkien in Oxford
My recent visit to Oxford to see the exhibition of Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth was a revelation to me and full of inspiration. You may find the exhibition in the ST Lee Gallery, Weston Library, next to Blackwell’s Bookshop on Broad Street. It’s packed with fascinating objects and letters, and drawings: Tolkien’s own exquisite illustrations forContinue reading “Inspiration from JRR Tolkien in Oxford”
Oxfordshire Place of Inspiration: Castle Inn, Edgehill
A place of inspiration is any place which arouses strong emotions, or perhaps memories, dreams, or reflections. The Castle Inn at Edgehill Oxfordshire is one such place. A tavern was first built in this high location in 1742 – one hundred years after the date of the Battle of Edgehill which took place in the valleyContinue reading “Oxfordshire Place of Inspiration: Castle Inn, Edgehill”
Christmas Is Coming – “Enchanted Kenilworth” at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
On Friday 15 December we went to an Enchanted Kenilworth event at our local English Heritage castle in Kenilworth. As English Heritage members we’ve visited this castle many times but it was so beautiful to see the trees, castle ruins and grounds illuminated with imaginative light displays. We particularly enjoyed the large projected image ofContinue reading “Christmas Is Coming – “Enchanted Kenilworth” at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire”
Mountains, Castles and Inspiration in Bavaria
We are just back from Bavaria where we were inspired by King Ludwig II’s castles, delighted by glorious mountain views, enjoyed delicious apple strudels and slipped into Austria where we had a lot of fun on the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg. But the most outstanding feature of our holiday was our discovery ofContinue reading “Mountains, Castles and Inspiration in Bavaria”
The Fatal Flaw in Human Nature, Castles in the Air, and Dreams and Visions
My recent visit to an English Heritage castle, Goodrich Castle in Herefordshire, stirred up some reflections on life. A visit to a medieval castle cannot help remind you that this great pile represents in stone the major themes in human nature: war, power, wealth, moral and economic hierarchies, social injustice and religion. Of course whatContinue reading “The Fatal Flaw in Human Nature, Castles in the Air, and Dreams and Visions”
The Joys of a Great Building, and its Healing Power to Relieve the Stresses of Our Lives: Beautiful Pershore Abbey
As the mother of a son with autism, I have throughout his life acted as an advocate, carer, companion, supporter. One of his difficulties is taking unfamiliar journeys alone. Now aged 18, he has just started a new course in Horticulture at Pershore College in Worcestershire. Yesterday we met what was, for both of us,Continue reading “The Joys of a Great Building, and its Healing Power to Relieve the Stresses of Our Lives: Beautiful Pershore Abbey”
scskillman.com 