BIG UP THE COUNTRY HOUSE! A very modern guide to the Nations favourite places- with National Trust A
It seemed only appropriate that this year, as I tour the UK's most incredible buildings promoting my National Trust Country House Colouring Book doing colouring parties and signings, that I begin a task that has been my ultimate dream for many years, and, I thought, 'If I don't do it now then I might never do it'.
That dream is to visit the country houses of Britain and create a guide, NO, not like all the other guides that exist, THIS time its going to be a modern guide composed by me; for those that don't already know me, I'm a bit silly, sarcastic and curious, artistic, a designer, a history boff, mildly obsessed with the buildings that shape Great Britain. I mean, what's not to like? The nation is obsessed with its incredible architecture, once our buildings were a hub for entire communities, hundreds of people worked on them, an estate was the back bone of a village or town. With 2 great wars and a nation of survivors with inner strength now that saw way beyond shovelling horse poo for people whose hobby was primarily to wear a bit of Ermin, or 12 of the little critters actually, the estates went into dramatic decline. This combined with rising taxes forced old families with great house of architectural significance to pack their bags, either under the shadow of a bulldozer OR if they were very lucky, under a giant telegram from James Lees-Milne of the National Trust notifying them that the nation would save their house. The fortunate family would have 10% and the nation have 90, that's just an AJ estimate but it appears to have been the deal..
Slowly the National Trust portfolio grew and so did the Nations' obsession with going on day trips to have a gander around interiors they'd only ever read about in the history books. That portfolio includes Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan mansion built by a squire's daughter, thats a simple village man basically. The Lady was named Bess of Hardwick and she rose to be the wealthiest and most powerful woman in England other than her friend Elizabeth 1. Another property is Nymans, acquired in 1953, the majority of this mock Tudor stone mansion is a shell following a disastrous fire. It was the home of the artistically gifted Messel family, Ludwig Messel was clever in overseeing the development of the house, once it was complete is really was genuinely difficult to tell if the house was new or indeed original Tudor. He also laid out the most phenomenal gardens in the late 19th century and it remains one of Britain's most remarkable landscape designs today.
The Trust also has Batemans. Batemans is one of the first of my tour this year, home of children's author Rudyard Kipling; his heartbreak over the death of his 7 year old daughter Josephine fuelled his greatest novels that include The Jungle Book. Having visited there, the property isn't depressing though, the staff who are Kipling's biggest allies and swots are the jolliest people who work incredibly hard, you can read more about my time at Batemans in the first entry to BIG UP THE COUNTRY HOUSE.
BIG UP THE COUNTRY HOUSE is going to be full of everything through my eyeballs; a young and fashion-loving artist-historian showcasing unique art & design, photos, film. interviews, oh and I mustn't forget the stunning architecture and history I'll be highlighting. Think of this a bit like a stylish scrapbook...... BUT, the real highlight is a weekly work of art created by me of each property, I'll use all the research I gather to enrich a GIANT portrait of the building, embodying both the past and present. A bit like if Lloyd Grossman of Through the Keyhole had to illustrate what he was describing to Sir David Frost.... but better, You get the drift.
Like my historical art, this journey involves YOU & ME, yup, just the two of us as (Will Smith style), going on a road trip snooping about a large number of National Trust properties. Let me guide you in a fun way; candidly, armed with my selfie stick and Springer Spaniel. We are going to meet some incredible people, a few inhabitants descended from the greatest figures in our history and many, many newcomers that are staff and volunteers tirelessly keeping the soul of our favourite places alive....to me these people are the modern day Lords & Ladies of the Manor. I meet some quite hilarious personalities and each exudes passion beyond any romantic mind.
Here is the official intro for my BIG UP THE COUNTRY HOUSE. I hope you enjoy my refreshing overview of Britain's country houses that follow this, I know I will!
AJ
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