Lake District interiors
Last week, I showed the exteriors of five Lakeland houses and asked who lived there. This week, I’m taking a peek into their interiors. The first two have very fine woodwork, but consequently are dark and not very photogenic so the best is saved to last. (Click on the title links if you want to see the outside.)
Sizergh Castle
Townend
Allan Bank
Allan Bank is unrestored and allows all sorts of creative activities (we were particularly taken by the dragon) as well as having a large board for visitors to write their suggestions. I hadn’t visited anywhere quite like it – until we went to Wray Castle a couple of days later.
Wray Castle
Unrestored, like Allan Bank, with opportunities to write on walls! The ship’s wheel remains from the house’s time as a naval college and the Peter Rabbit room for children is a nod towards Beatrix Potter who was once a holiday tenant.
Blackwell
As I said – the best is saved to last. Blackwell is an Arts and Crafts house which reminds me so much of Mackintosh’s work.
Which house would you rather live in?
This week on the Road Trip
I’ve met a few new (to me) bloggers on the A to Z Road Trip this week. So far so good. My featured choice is Eunice at A tent, a caravan, 4 wheels and me. Eunice is from Bolton in Lancashire and solo-camps with her two dogs. Although I’m fairly sure I’ll never go camping again, I enjoy reading about her experiences and the photos of her recent Welsh trips are lovely.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
I agree with you about Blackwell. We’re Friends of the Lakeland Arts Trust and so visit regularly to see their exhibitions, but we never tire of the house. And I agree with your comment about the similarity to RM’s work – the White Drawing room especially so
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Yes, it reminds me very strongly of Hill House. If I lived nearby(ish) I’d be a regular visitor too – as it is, we’ve been 3 times.
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Just over an hour’s drive for us (M6 willing ☺️)
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I can see why you were taken by the dragon; he’s adorable! Glad to see the interiors of these lovely homes. If only those bookshelves were real…then my vote would definitely go to Wray Castle. I’ve always wanted my own library!
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Real or not I thought they were pretty impressive! I enjoyed writing my choice of book in.
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All fascinating, but I think Blackwell. I love the main hall and what looks like a wonderful window in the white drawing room. Beautiful photos as always.
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I think Blackwell is winning the popular vote!
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I loved you journey through all these houses
but for me personally I need LOTS of light and as few doors as possible. I’d be carted off by the men in white coats if I had to live in any of these houses ( and the wet Lake District wouldn’t help!)
Just as well we are all different 🙂
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Possibly Blackwell would drive you less crazy than the others then – lots of light in the white room (huge windows and amazing views). I take your point about the weather, but we Glaswegians are already trained amphibians 😉 and just get on with it!
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Oh no not all of us- that’s why I left!
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Oops, forgot that! I’m pretty immune after nearly 30 years here, but if I could design my ideal climate I’d keep the temperature (I burn too easily in the sun) and eliminate the rain. Dream on!
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I am quite taken with Wray Castle, though not sure I’d actually want to live there.
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Wray is definitely spectacular, but I suspect not too comfortable to live in. Blackwell has its grand hall but it still has little nooks and crannies with fireplaces within it that are almost like separate little rooms. And the bedrooms upstairs are quite a manageable size. I think for any of them you’d need that army of servants though, and I’m not sure I’d approve of that!
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I have a fancy for Wray Castle, but I guess Blackwell would do nicely 🙂
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