Messy Kitchen

Another challenge under my belt, and yet another National Trust Property.

This one is a bit different - Avebury Manor sits in the village of Avebury in the centre of a large stone circle which, along wth Stonehenge, is now a World Heritage site. The manor has had a number of owners over its 450 year history, until the National Trust bought it following the bankrupcy of its final owner in 1991. It was let out to tenants, but when the tenancy ended in 2009, it laid empty and the public were invited in to view a temporary exhibition called 'Moving On', celebrating the comings and goings of its inhabitants.

In 2010, an ambitious project with the BBC saw the manor being transformed for a TV series, The Manor Reborn, presented by Penelope Keith and Paul Martin. During the project rooms in the house were decorated to represent the period of history for each of the main owners, from Tudor to 1930s. The results are not without their critics, but as there are no seriously precious antiques involved, this has provided the opportunity for people to enjoy a very hands on experience: you are positively encouraged to sit in chairs, open drawers, and try out the four poster beds!

The kitchen is set in the Victorian Age - though it is scary how many implements are familiar today. I spotted this heap of plates waiting to be washed up - apparently the maid was sick and it doesn't take long for the dirty dishes to mount up!