Palladian architecture
Treasures in unexpected places
From the moment you approach the Gibside National Trust property near Gateshead there are treats in store.
Enter reception for your tickets … hello? A couple of shelves of second-hand books to browse while you wait in the queue! But the staff soon let you know there’s more in store …
Nearby a dedicated wooden building set aside for readers. Not just your average random collection of romances and thrillers with the odd gardening tome thrown in … oh no. A sofa and a big squooshy chair … shelves all round the room packed with used books … packed yes, but nothing random about them. All sorted carefully by genre and then by author – someone who clearly knows their stuff. Utopia!
No one hovering putting on the pressure to move along, or to pay up, either. Browse away, friend, to your heart’s content … and when you’re ready, just when you’ve run out of time, simply pop your money in the honesty box., and take home your stash of books with all your memories.
But there’s a wonderful world outside that cosy spot just waiting to fire your imagination too. Think Jane Austen heroines … approaching for the first time … the avenues of mature trees …
the orangery …
the chapel …
the magnificent Palladian edifice … no, that ‘s not the main house, just the stables …
ahhh, there it is, the mansion house itself … a ruin now certainly, but the mind easily replaces windows and roofs, fills those three storeys with luxury and elegance and good taste ….
And it’s all set in acres and acres of Georgian landscaping. Beautiful woodland walks …
An absolute joy with the sun filtering through the lush growth, clever design beckoning the walker down mysterious pathways, into tantalising copses. The history and secrets of the estate and the families who called it home, coupled with the assault on the senses of so much beauty, sent my imagination into overdrive.
And would you believe it, there’s even a tiny cottage nestling in the woods, now used for therapy!
The whole experience was a reader/writer’s dream. And just the tonic I needed after a stressful few weeks.
The perfect spot
There are some moments, some places, that just touch a special button, aren’t there? The library first used by Thomas Anson, First Earl of Lichfield, in the 18th Century, is one such. It’s in Staffordshire – Shugborough Manor, a Palladian mansion house now in the hands of the National Trust and being extensively renovated and developed to excellent effect.
I believe I could scribble away contentedly there for days on end. The little writing table both catches the light and is positioned to give a fabulous view of the garden till the muse strikes. On the opposite side of the room, a lovely upholstered chair with foot rest provides a tranquil spot to recline whilst reading in perfect peace. If chill winds are blowing, two comfy chairs clustered beside a roaring fire invite you into the far end of the room. What more could one ask for?
Well, the best and most unusual feature has to be the door to this little sanctum. It’s slimline, with the spines of real books set behind glass. Once it’s shut it creates the illusion of seamless shelving. How cool is that?
And strategically placed mirrors exaggerate the effect of endless shelving.
Outside this little sanctum, in the cafe in the courtyard, there are several shelves of second hand books and naturally I HAD to support the venture by buying a few. Moments later one of the waitresses came to my table and stopped to stare at me.
Waitress: I have to have a good look in case your picture is in the paper soon.
Me: I’m sorry?
Waitress: You’ve just bought How to Kill Your Family!
Before I left I called by to reassure her this was all in the course of my work as a novelist. As she moved away I heard her muttering something about what a great job to have, making up stories. Indeedy.
I was doubly glad I’d contributed in some miniscule way when I later visited one of the buildings in the park, The Tower of the Winds, and found that restoration was funded in part (to the tune of £30,000!!!) by the sale of second hand books.
A perfect visit for a writer, huh?