Five Photos, Five Stories: Day 3
I’ve been invited to take part in the “Five Photos, Five Stories” challenge by Jude of Travel Words. The challenge is to “post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph, and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge”.
My five photos are from our recent Lake District holiday. The weather wasn’t very good so we visited a lot of houses. I’m taking them in chronological order and asking “Who lived there?”
Allan Bank – who lived there?
Allan Bank in Grasmere was built in 1805/6 by John Gregory Crump. In 1808, he let it out to some very famous tenants – William Wordsworth and his family who lived there until 1811. This was despite William having referred to it as “a temple of abomination” during construction! The house was bought by Thomas Dawson in 1834 and then by Canon Rawnsley, founder of the National Trust in 1915. He died in 1920 and left it to the Trust with a lifelong interest for his wife, Eleanor, who lived until 1959. After that, there were more tenants (including a 1970s commune) until 2011 when a fire damaged part of the house. It has now been partially restored and opened to the public in 2012. It hasn’t been decorated yet, and there is no original furniture, which makes it a very relaxed place to visit – you can sit anywhere with a cup of tea and read something from the library, create a painting in the art room, or just watch the world go round and admire the view. I loved it.
As before, I’m not making a specific nomination, but if you’d like to do 5 Photos 5 Stories let me know in the comments.
Today’s featured blogger is Jessica at Diverting Journeys. She’s an American living in London who loves visiting museums – and reports on them in, well, a highly diverting way. I love her irreverent style. Her latest is Montacute House – head over to her blog for the low-down on that.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Now that is one splendid house and what a backdrop! It was on my list, but the weather was too good to be indoors.
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Sounds like a wonderful place. I’d love to vist. And the photo only adds to my desire 🙂
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The view is one of the best.
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This house has a great view! I expect to see fairies and magic. I love the history of the home and that you can paint or read or just wander. I have to ask, since I have a travel calender, ..have you ever walked “The Castle Trail” in the Grampian Mountains?
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I have visited some of the castles but they are too far apart to walk (unless you are a lot keener on walking than I am!)
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I’ve never heard of such a concept – opening up a house with no ‘museum’ pieces, just allowing you to wander in and make yourself comfortable!
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Me neither – till this and one other which follows. I suppose rather than wait till they had the money, they just went for it and will make a bit from entrance fees in the meantime. It was very relaxed!
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Thanks so much for the mention, Anabel! I’m not usually one for these challenges, but I admit I’m intrigued by this one…if I can find five suitable photos, and the time to write about them in the midst of writing up my recent trip to Belgium! And that view from Allan Bank looks absolutely stunning, can’t wait to see the other photos you’ve chosen!
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No worries, Jessica – I just wanted to mention blogs I enjoy following so no need to do the challenge if you don’t want to.
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I know (and I appreciate your no pressure approach), but I’ve been wanting to share a little about my experiences backpacking around Europe for the first time (eight years ago!), and I think this would be a good way to do it without taking away from my normal reviews. Thanks again!
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That sounds good!
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is that snow and was only a month ago you were there?! lovely post.
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It is! We were there end March / beginning of April. You will see more snow before I’m finished with the Lakes.
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What a quaint little house, its just lovely. Look at that view behind it, imagine that out your window! Thanks for another lovely post Anabel.
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I know! The view is amazing.
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