Tintern was a cistercian foundation started in 1131. Most of the abbey buildings are gone but the church is fairly complete (it has lost its roof and window tracery). It was "refound" in the 18th century first by the Buck brothers prints, Gilpin's voyages down the Rye from Ross and finally by Wordsworth. Today it is in the care of CADW and scrubbed of the ivy and the stone floors laid to grass. Jenkins dislikes this (Wales Churches, Houses and Castles) I'm not sure I agree but life is about opinions. I must say the site seems a bit hemmed in by the 20th century I wish it was more isolated like Byland in Yorkshire.
The Kymin is a National Trust property I have never visited. It's a picnic house with a kitchen below and banquetting room above. It was built for the Kymin club of Monmouth but anyone could use it at a cost of 6d payable to the housekeeper if you brought your own food or a shilling if you wished her to serve you tea.
Nelson and Lady Hamilton breakfasted here in 1802. Nelson was pleased to see himself listed on the temple next to the Kymin celebrating British Admirals.
Raglan castle which is an oddity. Whereas most Welsh castle were established by the Normans to suppress the Welsh, Raglan was built in the 15th century. Raglan's heyday was the 16th century when it was one of the great renaissance house of Britain. Little remains of that today but you can see hints. In the 17th Century with the family becoming Dukes of Beaufort the castle was abandoned and the family moved to their other seat Badminton (apparently Badminton's great parlour chimney came from Raglan). Alas Badminton is not open to the public (groups can visit the gardens) Jenkins (him again) suggests it is one of the few great houses you can't visit, I respect the families right but oh I wish.
Lytes Cary is a relatively small property dating from the 14th through to the 20th century. The oldest extant part is the chapel dating from 1343 and the great hall is 15th century. The house was restored and extended by Sir Walter Jenner (he bought it in 1907). It has a nice garden and there are some fine park walks.
There are lots of pre-Warboys road signs in Somerset/Wiltshire..... I rather like them they have character.
The Courts a small, but lovely, garden in Holt just north of Bradford Avon. It was, I believe, created in the first part of the 20th century.
About a mile or so from the Courts is Great Chalfield Manor. Which is a rare example of an occupied pre-Tudor mansion. The setting with the church is fabulous. the manor was built by Thomas Tropnell around 1470, the current All Saints church was built by Tropnell around 1480. The house was repaired by Major Robert Fuller between 1905-1911. The house is still lived in by the Fuller's who manage it for the Trust. The house is visited by guided tour and there is no photography.
Montacute is a late Elizabethan House built by Sir Edward Phelips Master of the Rolls and the prosecutor of the gunpowder plot. It is also home to a collection of portraits from the National Portrait Gallery.
2 miles up the road is Tintinhull.
The house was built in 1630 but it was enlarged and reshaped in the 1720's a few rooms are open but the reason for coming is the arts & craft small garden. I really love this garden it is so liveable and I am always happy to wander and sit and read here.
