Additionally, Bowood will host a variety of events next month, including performances by UB40 and Van Morrison (see www. bowood.org for information). Highgrove is located north of Chippenham, only a few miles from the magnificent National Arboretum at Westonbirt. It is here that William and Harry spent their formative years. They were often seen at adjacent Tetbury and Cirencester, and were frequent visitors to the Beaufort Polo Club.
You're in for a stunning environment, with a cascading mix of plantations and sweeping lawns that lead down to a mile-long lake. Bowood House is a rich trove of art and antiquities, including Napoleon's death mask and Queen Victoria's bridal chair. The terrace gardens inspired by Italy and the herbaceous border that surrounds the Georgian mansion provide for the ideal day out. Children will be captivated for hours by an adrenaline-pumping adventure playground complete with a life-size Pirate Ship, aerial walkways, and balancing beams.
When approached from the left, the view is FAR superior. Fab:)Instead of simply tea and cake, we opted to have an early lunch at the restaurant. I am a Vegan (mainly), and my bestie is very lactose intolerant (and had packed her own lunch). We requested permission for her to have her own meal (which was given), and hubby, her hubby, and I shared the salad.
When the 7th Marquess and his brother were killed in combat in 1944, the estate was divided between their cousin George and Charlie's father, George. By the conclusion of the war, the home, which had been requisitioned by the Royal Air Force, had deteriorated to the point where the 8th Marquess made the bold decision to demolish it. Today, the house is arranged in a lovely figure-of-eight pattern with the Adam wing spanning the length of the terraces and the renovated service facilities, which include two courtyards divided by the chapel. In 1975, Charlie opened the gardens and Adam wing to the public, transforming abandoned stables into a sculpture gallery, cafeteria, retail space, and exhibition space. On permanent exhibit here are paintings and mementos connected to his forefathers, several of whom held high position (the 5th Marquess served as Viceroy of India, Secretary of State for War, and eventually Foreign Secretary).
