As some of you may already know my husband and I have decided to take the family to the UK for a month later this year and so we have been busy booking accommodation, well, I say we but my hubby, Chris, has done the bulk of this job and fantastically well I should add.
After sitting down together to work out the itinerary he got busy on the internet trying to find family friendly B&Bs at each of our stops, not as easy as it sounds as we are staying at over twenty different locations spread across three countries. We also quickly discovered that many places are happy to accommodate pets but don’t want to know about children! Chris also had to contend with my very gentle reminders to wherever possible look for buildings of historic interest to stay in.
After much research, countless emails and phone calls it looks as though we have all of our accommodation booked and there are some real gems among them, one of which I wanted to share with you today.
Sir John Crofts built West Stow Hall, consisting of a gatehouse and a house, near Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk in the sixteenth century on the site of an earlier moated house and today the hall is run as a bed and breakfast.
(This photo of West Stow Hall is courtesy of TripAdvisor)
Crofts was Master of the Horse to Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk whose arms, quartered with those of her second husband, Charles Brandon, are displayed above the gateway.
The gatehouse houses some Elizabethan wall paintings depicting a hunting scene and the Four Ages of Man: “a young man out hunting, inscribed This do I all the day; a man embracing a woman – Thus do I while I may; a middle-aged man looking on – Thus did I when I might; and a bent old man, leaning on his stick, who says Good Lord, will this world last ever.”
(This photo of West Stow Hall is courtesy of TripAdvisor)
The gatehouse is linked to the house by a late sixteenth century colonnade of red brick, with a timber-framed upper storey containing a room that may have been intended as a long gallery.
(This photo of West Stow Hall is courtesy of TripAdvisor)
Unfortunately, nothing remains of the medieval house that once stood on the site, regardless, I am really looking forward to staying at West Stow Hall and no doubt will have more photos and information for you after my visit.
Those of you interested in touring the house should click here for Tour Dates 2013 or alternatively, visit their website here.
What a wonderful place to stay! It looks like a house with a lot of stories (and hopefully a ghost or two…). I’ve just discovered your site this morning and now can’t tear myself away! The Tudor era has always fascinated me, and you’ve put together such a huge amount of information. I can’t wait to read more.
It certainly does! I am so glad that you found us and that you are enjoying exploring the site. Look forward to chatting more in the near future. Natalie 🙂
Hello everybody,
I truly believe that people who are fascinated with a certain time in history – have had a past life in that time and usually long to go back. I certainly remember three of mine – one Tudor- just a snippet but very real It would be very interesting to find out if.anyone else had any experiences of “being there”
Lady Carole
Lady Carole, I would love to hear more about the snippet of your Tudor past life. Please feel free to email me at natalie@onthetudortrail.com. I must say that I too believe in past lives and think that it could explain some of our obsessions and fears in this lifetime. Natalie
What a beautiful place, will you be going further up North on your travels Natalie?
Yes, we’re staying overnight in Loch Ness! I’m so very excited about it 🙂
There is the remains of the impressive Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, with beautiful views over the Loch. A few sightings of ‘Nessy’ have been spotted from here 🙂
I only live 30miles from there, would love to meet you if you have time…… 🙂
I just had a look at it online, looks amazing! I too would love to meet, let’s stay in touch and see if we can arrange something closer to time. 🙂
That would be magic…so yes let’s keep in touch, you are not too far from Cawdor Castle either 🙂
Yes I know, so many places, not enough time!!
Do your family have the same interest in history you have….I hope so, lol.