An abbey and a water garden (and lots of water)

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Well I jinxed the weather after our gorgeous Cambridge day. Today the heavens opened. Cambridge in particular is severely flooded with homes evacuated. Fortunately we left Cambridge early after farewelling Raphael, and spent most of the day driving to the Lakes District. En route we stopped at Studley Park Royal, in Yorkshire, a world heritage site of magnificent proportions. Danny was cowered by the rain and stayed in the cafe but I wasn't going to miss out so wrapped up and ventured across the park. I'm so glad I did! The main feature is a stunning 800-year old Cistercian monastery, the most intact in England. Nestled in the lush green, it reminded me of the toy castle in the dragon set Raphael had when he was little. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries he ordered the roof removed so the monks couldn't return but most of the walls and arches are still standing and I could happily have rambled around it all day. The area was later acquired by the aristocracy (of course) and also features a magnificent Georgian water garden, the kind of place where Elizabeth and Darcy might take the air on a summer's afternoon, as well as sundry follies, a Gothic church and a pheasantry. Then we drove onto the Lakes, the last part of our journey through magnificent fells, fields dotted with black-faced sheep and old stone walls, past villages with names like Cockermouth and Troutbeck. We are staying at Wood House, Buttermere, a lovely old style B and B where we are waited upon as if it were Downton Abbey. Our room looks like a piece of Wedgewood in blue and white, overlooking the waters. In the drawing room there is a choice od three kinds of sherry and dinner, which we took in-house, was served with silver and china that would meet with even Carson's approval. You may not hear much from me over the next couple od days. We intend to walk, read and relax.

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Comments

[Zoe London]

It all sounds beautiful. Shame about the weather, but I guess you didn't have to fight your way through crowds to see the monastery!