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Published: March 21st 2010
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We had decided to go to Attingham Park, south of Shrewsbury on Monday, 7 September. We took the bus, No.81 from Abbey Foregate. The bus was running through the charming residential houses and pleasant countryside. We were advised to get off at the village called Atcham. The bus stop was right by the gate for Attingham Park. We followed on the concrete path along the meadows. There were multi-coloured cows eating grass and they seemed to be used to visitors and drivers.
We showed our National Trust Membership cards at the kiosk. We were told that there would be the guided tour starting at 11 o'clock. We stood at the lawn by ha-ha, and I took a number of photos of the 18th century mansion, and extensive landscape garden with cedar trees, river, arch bridge, and deer park.
Collection Protection
We arrived at the entrance hall with portico gate just before 11.00. The lady appeared from the door of the mansion, saying that she hadn't realised how sunny it had been on 7 September. She was a full-time conservation assistant who is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the showrooms at Attingham Park, which is currently under the project of
restoration. She told me that the National Trust staff have to keep the temperature and humidity which would be comfortable for the 18th century furniture and art collection not visitors, and thereby they are not able to run the central heating in the middle of the winter when the major cleaning is carried out. She and her colleagues have to use the special detergents to wipe the dust on the furniture, frames of the paintings, etc, ensure that they do not hit the furniture when hovering. She showed us the different types of brushes to clean the dust. They regularly check the exposures of lights which affect the fabrics of the textiles and wall paintings, and ensure the appropriate humidity and temperature for each corner of the furniture and floors to discourage worms which would spoil or destroy the 18th century furniture, carpets, and old books.
We strolled around the kitchen garden. There were displays of harvest vegetables and flowers in the walled garden. We noticed some of the modern artwork displayed on the parkland.
We had a lunch at the restaurant near the mansion.
Story of love and neglect
We started looking round the house after
1pm. We looked at the Drawing Room, Sultana Room, East Ante Room, Boudoir, Octagon Room, Library, Dining Room and Gallery on the ground floor. There were a number of excellent mythological paintings, landscapes, music instruments, sculptures, and Regency furniture displayed. We were amazed at very ornate and striking decorations in the ceilings, walls and fringes, and curtains, all of which represent love. We were even surprised to learn that some of the interior design was not complete. There were scores of portraits of the members of Berwick family who owned the property from 1768 and 1947.
The most noble person was arguably Thomas 2nd Lord Berwick, who was succeeded the title at the age of 19. He liked travelling, and a keen collector of paintings and book, which resulted in frequent expansions and alterations of the house. He was always eager to have sumptuous furniture coupled with ornate interiors to entertain guests. Such extravagant life coupled with purchasing a huge volume of books and paintings resulted in deterioration of Berwick family's finance, and he had to declare the bankruptcy. The Berwick family had to sell a large number of furniture, books, and paintings, which the sale catalogue records are
shown in the library. There are still quite a few Regency furniture remaining in the Attingham. Thomas' brother, William, 3rd Lord Berwick helped to sustain the features of the Regency manor house adding collections of Italian furniture, paintings, ceramics, and silver items that he had accumulated while working as a diplomat in Italy.
The massive debt caused by 2nd Lord Berwick didn't seem to encourage the descendant family to settle in Attingham. The 8th Lord and Lady Berwick initially plan to live in Cronkhill and sell Attingham, but decided to choose the latter one in the beginning of the 20th century. They gradually restored the Regency principal rooms, e.g. Drawing Room, Dining Room, and Library, etc with neo-classical artwork in the ceilings, wall and fringes, and old and valuable paintings, etc which had been neglected for over 50 years and successfully negotiated the National Trust to ensure the preservation of the house.
Whilst the restoration of the ground floor rooms has been completed, the first floor rooms are still under the renovation works. We found very intriguing two panels of paintings attached on the East Passage. They show the scenes of India, which the 8th Lord Berwick originally attached in his bathroom.
We were impressed with the theatrical design of the great staircase, which was designed by John Nash. There were information panels with pictures with regards to the restoration project in Attingham Park on the first floor. We went to the basement floor through the Best Back stairs. We looked round the Victorian Kitchen, Servant's Hall, and the Vault. There was a magnificent collection of silver, silver-gilt labels, candelabra, dinner plates, which was mostly acquired by 3rd Lord Berwick.
Woodland walks with deer park
It was sunny and warm in the afternoon. We decided to explore the woodland walks and deer park. The suggested route included the Berwick Memorial, some sculptures, Tern River, New Bridge, Deer Park. There were many types of trees, e.g. cedar, chestnut, birches, maples, and 350 years oak. There were quite a few families with children walking in the sunny afternoon. We saw several deer with horns sitting comfortably in the sun.
Finally, we bought a couple of souvenirs at the shop and went back to Shrewsbury.
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