Green Knowe- The Manor House Hemingford Grey

Of all the places I've visited this week . this was the 'icing on the cake'. I hadn't read the Lucy Boston children's books but that didn't matter. The house had been her home and was where the stories were based as well as providing the props for many of the things in them. Her daughter in law showed us round and she was both entertaining and fascinating in her own right. in the war Lucy Boston had invited nearby RAF fighter pilots to enjoy some normality in her music room - an 11th century room at the top of the house - paintings showed young men - nup to 35 at a time listening to records possibly for the last time. The record player you can see here is the original - L. R James ghost stories are now told there on some winter evenings,
There was lots to delight - the architecture and the gardens which Lucy Boston had planted herself - award winning old roses and irises. also she has produced some amazing patch works which are famous and they were also shown to us. Maggie smith's replica for the film of one of the Green Knowe books was also there.
Ive bought her autobiography to read as i was fascinated by it.
Lesley and i had a yummy lunch in the local community cafe and the River Oose ran past the village with lots of people enjoying the boating.