Greys Court

A relatively early start to the day - away before 8.30am. Called into High Wycombe for some supplies before driving on to spend the day at the very lovely Greys Court. 

Many of the gardens are located within the old castle walls. 

Set in the Chilterns this old Tudor house has been lovingly kept "alive" over the years by very dedicated owners and The National Trust. 

The Tudor Greys Court from the old defensive walls. 

The first building on the site was a Norman castle built by the Norman Knight de Grey. The de Grey family occupied this site for over 400 years. Not much is left of the castle today with the main house built in Tudor times, with alterations continuing into the 20th century. 

The old castle tower now defends the beautiful gardens below it. 

Many lovely garden areas. 

The 125 year old Wisteria vine/tree. 

Another assortment of garden views. 

The gardens are magnificent and the house is one that has a very much lived in feel about it. 

The 16th century Donkey Wheel which lifted buckets full of water from the well 200 feet deep. The poor old donkeys did shifts in this walking wheel!

We later drove  in to Tyle Mill Lock for our overnight stop.  When arriving at the lock we found that the lock bridge was jammed in the open position! It was quite some time before lock personnel arrived and put the embarrassed lady canal boater out of her misery.  

This morning's drive through Henley-on-Thames gave us some lovely views up and down the river. 

West Wycombe Park

Cookham is always a great place to stop over. A leisurely morning with a few house keeping chores before wandering to the village. Chilled out for most of the morning, then lunch. 

The Music Temple on an island in the landscape at West Wycombe Park. A stunning garden item in the tradition of Capability Brown. 

After lunch we headed off to West Wycombe House and Park. We driven passed this old estate many times but never seemed to make it through the gates. So today was the day! 

An estate, like many others, that was a tale of one generation making the money, the next enjoying it and the next loosing it!  Well, something like that. But, here the family still resides after 300 years!

Three views of West Wycombe House. 

The park that the house sits in is vast and also very well laid out. A most enjoyable walk around the property. We visited the house on a guided tour. No photos were permitted because it was still being lived in. It was an interesting assortment of rooms built and decorated in the Italian Palladian style. 

Smaller buildings form part of the parkland at West Wycombe. 

Some interesting bridges connecting various parts of the parklands. 

A spikey bridge - not the best place to perch!

We later drove on to Great Missenden, being sent up a series of very narrow roads by Tom - and not the first time either! Great Missenden was our overnight stop. 

Not an easy road to pass anyone on!

Sunny Buckinghamshire

Sleeping better here than we do at home - perhaps we are doing more here during the day!  Awoke to a beautiful sunny, warm day.

Later in the day we visited Waddesdon Manor - had good vibes from a previous visit a few years ago. Wow, how the organisation has changed - with many more people visiting there than we could remember. 

Side aspect of Waddesdon Manor. 

Anyone for a bite!

And the famous elephant in the room.

The Manor was built by the English Rothchild family to house it's massive art collection and to entertain their friends. Looking around the house makes one wonder why there was not a revolution against the inequality that seems so obvious. Still, an enjoyable visit. 

French writing table that folds down inside the body of the table. Very clever!

Cracked up about this light!!

Rothschild family outing!

Earlier we drove into Aylesbury to buy a few more items needed for the van - a foldaway camping table etc. 

Later we made our way into Great Missenden - the home of Roal Dahl. Spent the rest of the afternoon here in the sun and also stayed overnight. 

Helene's selection:

Two County Day

Much cooler morning but very snug in the Hilton. 

Beautiful garden colours from later in the day.

Another late breakfast before setting off to the delightful village of Ampthill. Took time here to explore and continue to stock up on supplies.

Ampthill central!

Ampthill pub and terrace. 

A short distance away was the ruins of Houghton House, a mansion built for Mary Countess of Pembroke. The most impressive thing here was the outstanding position of the house.

Ruins of Houghton House 

Crossing county we past through the picturesque village of Woburn before arriving at Claydon House, the ancestral home of the Verny family. 

"In the 1750s at his family seat in Buckinghamshire, Ralph Verney set out to create a country house of extraordinary grandeur that would dazzle his wealthy neighbours and outdo his political rivals. Thirty years on he was facing financial ruin.

Today the interiors that remain are among the most ambitious and lavish ever created in the 18th century.

Claydon has been occupied by the Verney family for more than 550 years; the place is a testament to their fascinating fluctuating fortunes, from their close involvement in the English Civil War to the family connection with Florence Nightingale."

Looks like plaster mouldings but in fact it is all wood carved! This was similar all through the house.

White door architraves and columns are all wood carved and painted.

... still picturesque!

Later drove to our overnight at Waddesdon. 

Woburn

Ampthill

Lush, green everywhere to be seen!