First sunny day in March and we got an email from NT suggesting three local places to visit. We'd... read more
First sunny day in March and we got an email from NT suggesting three local places to visit. We'd... read more
A visit in particular to see the Snowdrops and Aconites. When we arrived at the entrance we were... read more
Yes, sure the House, the grounds and the history are interesting..
The real story however, is of the Saviour of this House Robert Parsons and his friend Michael Claydon.
We owe such a lot to Mr Parsons a Texan Architect, who fell in love with The Cotswolds during the war where he was posted as a soldier. He had a desire to rescue a derelict country house in the uk and found Newark Park in the1970's overgrown and dilapidated. He proceeded to save it from complete demise and dedicated the rest of his life to it's renewal until his death in 2000.
Michael Claydon stayed on until last year but has since moved on to pastures new.
A big, massive Thank you to him and the late Bob Parsons for their generosity of spirit..
As we sat over looking the lake, we imagined it as something from a Midsommer nights dream, we felt a wonderful romantic presence about the place and wished we could have met with Mr Parsons and Mr Claydon, who we felt sure could tell us some wonderful stories.
The house is empty without them....
Spent most of yesterday here and very much enjoyed it. Great old house and a very warm welcome from the staff. Beautiful grounds. There was a temporary cafe which served great food with some very happy and friendly staff in it. Nice cake. Lovely walks around the grounds and good to just sit by the lake in the sunshine. Lots of peacocks and hens wondering about in the grounds.
Enjoyable afternoon at Newark Park, looking around the hunting lodge, which was recently lived in so as others have said in their reviews you can touch things, sit on chairs and at tables and really feel a part of this house. The guides were so friendly and informative. Enjoyed a cup of tea/hot chocolate from the outdoor tea bar which we drank whilst sitting on the garden furniture on the lawn. Dog friendly walks around the park area with stunning views over the valley. If in the area again will certainly be back to enjoy the walks and picnic in the grounds.
Putting my new National Trust membership through it's paces, me and my partner enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon at Newark Park. The house is not a grand manor, it is a recently lived in lodge so don't expecting precious antiques and stunning interiors. However, the fact you can touch everything and sit on the furniture is a nice change and it was an interesting property nonetheless. The grounds are the star attraction to this place. I recommend the red walk as you descend the valley through the ancient deer park with sheep and lambs all around and buzzards circling overhead. Very peaceful and quiet, we are planning to return in the summer with a picnic basket in tow.
Newark Park is a restored Tudor hunting lodge, set on top of the Cotswold escarpment with brilliant views across to the Mendips.
The house hasn't got as much to offer as some of the more 'grand' NT properties, but it's still interesting and the walks around the grounds are stunning.
A secret and unspoilt corner of Gloucestershire.
we liked the snowdrops and views from the garden. We also liked the house hwich is a bit faded but cosy and unpretentious