A Sunny Bank Holiday at Petworth House

I love the National Trust!  Two months ago I finally got around to joining the organisation, and since my ubiquitous orange-backed card arrived in the post, I've already recouped more than half my money.  If you're a history fan, an architecture buff, or you just like a good nose around, you really can't lose!

Bank Holiday Monday saw us in the fine surroundings of Petworth House, West Sussex.  Billed as one of Britain's finest stately homes, set within a beautiful deer-park, landscaped by none other than 'Capability' Brown, the building houses paintings by world-famous artists such as Turner, Van Dyck and Blake.

Our tour started in the kitchens, where hundreds of pots, pans and other utensils were lined up and ready for use.  Every shelf was full of curiosities - herbs, spices, mustards, an indication of the strong-smelling preservatives of the past.  Next door, in the ice house, a pre-electric refrigerator and old ice cream makers hinted that the aristocracy of the past certainly had their luxuries.  Just watch out for the pesky tart thief, up to her usual tricks.

In the main house, pleasantly cool in the hot May day, several comfy and well-decorated rooms were a pleasure to explore.  The galleries contained a great number of paintings, but I picked out this one as my moody favourite.  A JMW Turner of a scene not too far from where I live.  Answers on a postcard please...

Our tour of the house finished in grand style, being watched over by the great Tudor king, Henry VIII.  Looking out the windows, the open landscape rolled off into the distance, down to a lake, where many people had gathered to enjoy the sunshine.  Inside, it wasn't difficult to drift off into a world where the house was all mine, where I could pace the galleries and admire the artwork, whilst a team of servants cooked dinner in the kitchen, and the afternoon would be spent riding a horse across the enormous landscaped garden.  To dream is a wonderful thing, and so easy to do in a house such as this.  Thanks, National Trust, for a lovely morning out!