Wallington

We have had hot and sunny weather all week, but it rained heavily overnight in Northumberland last night, and is still raining, so the HG and I opted to visit a NationalTrust house.

Wallington estate was in poor repair in 1928 when Sir Charles and Lady Trevelyan inherited it, and they set about making improvements, both in the house and the tenants' cottages.  Over the centuries Wallington was owned by the Fenwicks, Blacketts and Trevelyans, who all made their mark.

Sir Charles gifted Wallington to the nation, although he lived in it until his death.

The house was stunning, but for me the highlight was the Central Hall.  Originally an open courtyard, it was roofed over in the 1850's.  There is a grand piano in the Hall, and a visitor sat down at it and played the most beautiful music.  It was a lovely moment.  Around the walls were large murals, four on each side, depicting the history of Northumberland from the Roman times to the industrial revolution, really interesting.

The Trevelyans were part of an artistic, intellectual set whose socialist thinking contributed toward many of the ideas we take for granted today.  Along with their six children, they were great thinkers and travellers who cared little for the conventions of the day.

Back at our holiday house we shared our stories of the day and heard the tales of the others' adventures.