Hatfield House Gardens Part Four - The Final Part

I hope you have enjoyed these last few posts about Hatfield House and the gardens.

I was certainly inspired by my visit and have taken ideas from the house and garden to apply in my own home.

I didn't grow any nasturtiums this year and this display of them in the kitchen garden have reminded me to grow them again.  I think the cream ones are especially delightful.

They were growing various varieties of runner beans including purple podded ones.  Next year I think I will grow them up a framework like that shown above.

Great face on the a pillar of a gateway.

I think this plant is eryngium or sea holly.  The insects loved it!

 A lovely entrance to the gates.  Look at all that perfumed lavender either side.

 A gently bubbling water feature.

 A beautiful modern sun dial.  We couldn't see a shadow due to cloud cover.

 Calming water ripples.

Flower beds inside the kitchen garden and some lovely painted hen houses.  Chickens were seen but were elusive when it came to taking their pictures.

A Taste of Hatfield House Part One

Hatfield House is an historical landmark in Hertfordshire.  You can read more about visiting it on the website here. 

It was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, who was one of Elizabeth I's most important advisors. He used material from the Old Palace, part of which is still standing today, to build the present house. (Info from here.)

We visited on a Wednesday afternoon.

 It was all so very grand.

 Knowledgeable guides stood in every room and were keen to impart lots of information.

 There were so many interesting paintings and lots of doors hidden in the oak paneled walls.

Whoever carved the staircase didn't do it with cleaning in mind!  So intricate with many unreachable nooks and crannies.

 Up to the first floor.

 The first floor landing.

 This room was wall to wall and floor to ceiling with paintings.  So much to see.

Ornate ceilings in every room.

All the photos are taken in the west wing.  The east wing and the third floor are out of bounds as they are still in use by the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury and their family.