Ickworth

The other day of our stay, another lovely sunny one, we went to Ickworth, I haven't been before, so it was a little confusing.

We stopped at the lodge for lunch, then proceeded to the Italian garden. 

This lies on the south side of the main house, an area of conifers and cypresses as seen in Italian gardens, with a raised walkway at the outer limits, and temples and statuary.. 

Then the afternoon went a little wrong. After cake in the cafe, we thought we'd catch the buggy to the walled garden, but it wasn't running. So we decided to go inside the house, only to find it closed a few minutes before!

After sitting for a while, we decided to see how far it was to the walled garden - too far! So we sat on a log to admire the view. 

Then went for a short walk round a section of woodland which attaches to the Albana Wood but to go further was beyond me at this time.

So round the wood we went, then back to the lodge gates and home.

 

Flatford

While down in Suffolk, we decided to visit Flatford mill, the scene of one of Constable's most famous paintings, The Hay Wain. The National Trust was given Willy Lott's cottage and the parcel of land, after it had been restored, and now own several buildings in the vicinity..

There are several properties now under the care of the National Trust - a cafe, a shop,a restored worker's cottage, a farmhouse and.the mill. some open to the public, some reserved for Trust usage. We stopped first for lunch at the National trust cafe, then wandered down to Willy Lott's cottage past the Mill and farmhouse.

In the mill was housed an exhibition of Constable's work, particularly those painted (or drawing inspiration from) in the roundabout area.       

         

Then we went back to the cafe, over the bridge and a little way down the other side of the river to see the mill from this side..

There are footpaths which lead alongside the river, upstream to Dedham, and down to Manningtree. I'd like to return someday when I'm fitter to follow them.

 

Cavendish

 When the rain cleared away, we spent the afternoon exploring Cavendish, 

It's a charming village along the A road, which you'd almost miss if driving along.

It has a village green, with Suffolk pink cottages in front of the church, and various other older buildings.

Some of which look quite fancy.

The church was open to visitors till 4 o'clock , so we managed to get a look inside.

It was one of the churches built with money from Suffolk's wool trade, which account for its size.

The tea room on the green unfortunately wasn't open - a - because it was Tuesday - and b - because the owner had had a hip operation which necessitated closing for a fortnight - so it was time to head back to the cottage.