The Lost Gardens of Easton Lodge

The gardens at Easton Lodge were redesigned by Harold Peto in 1902 for Daisy Countess of Warwick.

The house and garden was requisitioned during WWII and thousands of trees were cut down to make way for Dunmow Airfield. After the war the gardens were split (the lakes were given to Dunmow fishing club) and the garden fell into disrepair.

There have been two restoration projects and you can find out more about the history here

I first visited the gardens about 20 years ago and over the years the gardens have had a gradual restoration and I can definitely see improvements but alas I don't think they will ever get back to their former glory as say Biddulph Grange was, Still it makes a nice Sunday afternoon stroll.

Ickworth

Well the new year has sprung! Last weekend was glorious, a little chilly but glorious blue skies so I went for a wander around the Ickworth estate.

The rotunda is currently under scaffold as the National Trust restores the roof.

This part of the house has a squash court, tea room etc.

This wing of the house is now a hotel.

Hatfield Broad Oak Church

One of the closest of Simon Jenkins 1000 best parish churches to me is Hatfield Broad Oak. At one time it was considerably bigger when it was attached to the priory church of  Hatfield Regis. Nothing remains of priory part of the church.

Today Hatfield Broad Oak is a pretty village and the church a decent one but oh to see it in its pomp

Southwold

I went to the seaside town of Southwold recently. Southwold is a bit of a throwback as seaside towns go as it has a range of specialist shops and a lack of chains (Costa Coffee closed) and it seems to be thriving,

Some find it a bit pretentious (or the people in it according to friends and a colleague) but I rather like it.

It has a brewery and a fine church.

The pier is thriving and is equally old fashioned.

The reason for being in Southwold was nearby Pieathlon at Dunwich Heath. These were from the beach