Uppark House and grounds were our destination on what turned out to be
a fine October day.
Here on the South Downs in beautiful English countryside
An estate of distinction where even the servants and stewards enjoyed splendid views as you can see from the location of the services building that originally housed the conservatories and the laundry. Today it is the restaurant and shop so important to the survival of any National Trust property.
The modest ornamental garden is in balance with all the other features of this perfect example of the age of enlightenment when they were designed.
The Gothic Seat was very welcome and provided a splendid view to the South.
The subterranean system of tunnels meets here and must have been a busy junction where servants scurried from the dairy to the laundry and to the main building while protected from the elements and of course out of sight of the gentry.
The meat larder is open to the attack of insects these days, when the mesh was in place and the game was hung what an attractive prospect this would have been for the guests while approaching the entrance to the house.
A well preserved system of hooks for the suspension of carcasses, here in the ceiling but all around the walls as well.
Even the approach paths reflect the theme with pebbles separated with the vertebrae of deer.
Again at the end of a tunnel the dairy where milkmaids might aspire to matrimony with the Lord of the manor. True in that Harry Fetherstonhaugh at the age of 71 married a 20 year old dairymaid Mary Anne who proved to be a devoted wife for the remaining 21 years of his long life.
Earlier in his residence at Uppark, Harry had an affair with Emma Hart who later became Lady Emma Hamilton, here on the Uppark estate Emma was housed in her courtesy cottage.
What memories might be conjured up at Uppark!!
Even the guests horses lived in style.
To close this memorable visit we leave where we began at perhaps the
least attractive feature of the house, the entrance.
This excursion was the last of the 2001 season and on our homeward journey we expressed our appreciation to the officers of the PANTM committee who planned and supervised an excellent programme of visits through the season. Mike Lovell, Winn and Ken Ibbs and driven for all but one of the visits by Mike our excellent South Dorset coach driver.
Next year's programme is ready for publication in February 2002 and we look forward to renewing our friendships and the discovery of the National Trust's treasures within 2 hours driving range of Purbeck