A pleasant afternoon at Coombe Trenchard

We were invited to be part of a group taking a tour of the house and gardens at Coombe Trenchard just over the border in Devon (Our location was confirmed when the scones of the cream tea came with the jam on top of the cream. The reverse order is the Cornish way). A delightful afternoon in the sun at a very interesting place.

At first glance the house may look Elizabethan but, in actual fact, it's a good example of the Edwardian Arts and Crafts style. It was completed in 1906 and was erected on the spot where a Georgian rectory once stood.

 

An impressive white wisteria was in full bloom at the back of the house.

There were lots of Arts and Crafts touches in the house, such as the wrought iron metal fitments to all of the windows.

And the fitments for the original gas lights. Acetylene was the gas used and this was generated from solid calcium carbide in an outside gas house. Smelly and highly combustible, the use of acetylene was a high risk activity.

 

The risk of using acetylene was recognised and an early sprinkler system had been installed. This used water from this water tower, now converted into bedrooms.

Just two of the very ornate chimney pots. At first glance reminiscent of those seen on Tudor buildings such as Hampton Court.

The gardens and woodlands associated with the house extend for about 100 acres - we did not walk them all. But we did explore an interesting mixture of formal borders and informal woods. Bluebells were coming to an end and wild garlic was taking their place under the trees.

 

I've always wanted a piece of modern sculpture in my garden. A Barbara Hepworth would be nice but way, way, out of my price range. I liked this one and it was a pleasure to feel the cool smoothness of its contours. The right sculpt in the right place and, if my pockets had been big enough, I could have been tempted to walk off with it.