The Day I Went to Great Chalfield

It was a perfect, sunny afternoon, just right for a walk around the gardens of this beautiful property. There were a lot more people there than I expected but, for the most part, social distancing was observed. We had to follow a one-way route so without my usual meandering all over the place, it didn't take too long to walk round. I didn't take many photos of the gardens this time as there were too many people around and I have been to the Manor countless times before. 

So to set the scene, Great Chalfield Manor is a moated late medieval English manor house. It was built between 1465 and 1480 for Thomas Tropenell who made his fortune as a clothier. Alterations to the estate in later centuries means that the moat no longer completely encircles the house. I won't list all the owners here but there is one coincidence I'd like to mention - in the mid C17, the Chalfield estate was owned by John Hall and later by the 2nd Duke of Kingston who both also owned The Hall in Bradford on Avon, the house I went to see last week.

These first three photos were taken outside of the grounds looking over the upper moat towards the Manor House and Church.

This is the upper moat, looking in need of some attention. 

The current family still live at the Manor and maintain the property for the National Trust. The gardens are beautiful, thanks to their efforts - I fell in love with this window!

Because of Covid 19 there was a one way route to follow which leads you to the church first. Although it is inside the moat, All Saints Church it is actually the church for the parish of Great Chalfield and in more normal times regular services are held here. It was built c 1480 and still has features from that time although I didn't get to photograph any today ... sorry!

In the garden there are four of these yew 'tree houses', formed where four yew tree have grown together and been hollowed out inside so people can walk through them.

I'm not sure what this little building is used for but I have taken some photos of the inside which I'm saving for my 'lines' photo challenge - you may recognise the structure inside when you get to see them.

The route then took us out of the garden and around the lower moat.

This is looking beyond the lower moat to the Chalfield Brook where this tree has its roots in the water. At this point, the brook runs parallel to the lower moat so the moat was behind me when I took this photo. This is the area where you often see a heron and a buzzard but I was out of luck today. I could hear the buzzard but couldn't see him anywhere.

The following three images are of the house and gardens, taken from inside the moat so the moat is behind me. There were loads of good photo opportunities but sadly too many people about, both for safety and for people free images. 

Does anyone know what this fruit is? I wondered if it is a medlar.

The route today took me out through the stable yard where I had the opportunity to meet Percher, and which gives me another possibility for the SPSH No 2 | something with or in a knot.