We've written about Stratfield Saye on this blog before - you can read Victoria's account of her previous visit to the property here. However, I had never been to the estate. Each time I'd visited England in the past it was during those periods when the family was in residence and the house had been closed to the public, so this was truly one of the highlights of the Tour for me.
One of the things that surprised me was that the entrance drive to the house cuts straight through the stable blocks. I've been to a fair number of stately homes and can honestly say that I'd never seen this configuration before.
From Wikimedia: Statue of horse and dragon, Stratfield Saye This bronze is missing St George. It was initially commissioned by George IV for St George's Hall, Windsor, but wasn't completed before the King's death. It was bought by the second Duke of Wellington for £750 in 1865.
No photos were allowed inside, but you can some we swiped off the web in Victoria's post by using the link above.
Photos of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Stratfield Saye
September 2014
When the 8th Duke of Wellington died in January 2015, his funeral was held here.
The Wellington Funeral Car:
Commemorating Wellington's battle victories:
Ahmednuggur, Assaye, Argaum; Gawilghur, Rolica, Vimiera
Douro and Oporto, Talavera, Busaco; Tporres Vesdras, Fuentes D'Oonor, Ciodad Rodrigo
Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria; Pampeluna, Pyranees, St. Sebastian
Nivelle, Nive, Orthes; Toulouse, Quatre Bras, Waterloo
Details of the funeral car:
Walking the grounds and gardens of Stratfield Saye:
large mushroom/fungus found by Victoria
Reader, the day, and Stratfield Saye, did not disappoint!
Labels: Duke of Wellington Tour
