GB took Jo and I out to Erddig Hall near Wrexham in North Wales on Saturday. Erddig Hall was built in 1684–1687 for Joshua Edisbury, the high sheriff of Denbighshire and was designed by Thomas Webb. Erddig is one of the country's finest stately homes - in September 2007 it was voted the UK's "favourite Historic House" and the "8th most popular historic site" in the UK by Britain's Best . In 2003 it was voted by readers of the Radio Times and viewers of the Channel 5 television series "Britain's Finest Stately Homes" as "Britain's second finest".
Entrance to the house is no longer through the grand entrance but via the courtyard with its stabling, carriages, bicycles, motorcycles, and old cars.
A Penny Farthing
A 1907 Rover
A 1927 Austin
A tour of the house, which starts "below stairs", tells of the Yorke family's unusually high regard for their servants and, through a collection of portraits, photographs and verses (a family tradition started by Philip Yorke (1743-1804), who published The Royal Tribes of Wales in 1799), provides a record of the people who lived and worked on the estate.
The mangle, copper and other implements for washing the clothes.
There's washing up to be done.
One of the kitchen ranges.
The dining room.
The library.
In the staterooms "above stairs" there is a fine collection of 18th century furniture and other treasures (many of which originally belonged to John Meller, including a portrait in the Music Room of Judge Jeffreys, the "Hanging Judge").
Exquisite Chinese wallpaper in the State Bedroom.
The Yorke family seemingly never threw anything away and the house now has a unique collection ranging from the rare and magnificent to the ordinary and everyday.
The view from upstairs.
The nursery.
One of the conditions that the last Squire, Philip S. Yorke (1905-1978) imposed on handing over the house and estate to the National Trust in 1973 was that nothing was to be removed from the house. He is quoted as saying: "My only interest for many years has been that this unique establishment for which my family have foregone many luxuries and comforts over seven generations should now be dedicated to the enjoyment of all those who may come here and see a part of our national heritage preserved for all foreseeable time."
In the gardens.
Looks like another very interesting place to visit. Glad to see you're all making the most out of GB's visit :)
ReplyDeleteI'll return for a closer look at the photos, right now I'm on my old laptop and there's a big difference between the screens of the old and the the new one when looking at photos.
l wish l were there!!! thanks for such stunning images JOhn....
ReplyDeleteFascinating! It is wonderful to be able to take such a long look back through history.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting! Do you have a picture of that portrait of Judge Jeffreys? As much as I know, there are two portraits of Jeffreys brothers: George (the judge, later the Lord Chancellor) and Thomas, the merchant. Both are full-length and probably Kneller. Please if you have any info about these portraits let me know.
ReplyDeleteNo, sorry, I didn't take a photo of the Judge Jeffreys picture.
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ReplyDeleteThank you very very much for posting this. For many years I have a dream to visit Erddig because of its Jeffreys' connection... I study the Judge and his family and it is very important for me to see their portraits now hanging in Erddig Hall. Please tell how did you get there? I have no idea what to do if I have no car. Is it accessible by train or bus?
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to get taken there by my brother in his car, Memento-Mary. It is rather out of the way and getting there without a car is not easy.
ReplyDeleteThe visitor information suggest - by train - Wrexham Central 2½ miles; Wrexham General 3½ miles via Erddig Road and footpath. Or by bus - 'Arriva' number 2 from Wrexham, alight Felin Puleston, 1 mile walk through Erddig Country Park.
Hope that helps.
Thought you might like this link
ReplyDeletehttp://virtualtours.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig/home.html