We've just returned from a visit to our daughter's home in my home county of Berkshire and last Saturday we went with her to look around the country house and gardens of Greys Court which is located in the neighbouring county of Oxfordshire near to Henley-on-Thames.
The drive through the green woodland where banks of cow parsley lined the narrow country lanes was a delight in itself. Greys Court set in the Chiltern Hills in acres of parkland and fields where sheep and a herd of cattle roam, provides an opportunity to walk the designated trails or settle down and enjoy a picnic. We had arrived early hoping to join the tour of the house at 11 a.m., but as we had not booked in advance this was not to be and we had to wait until it opened again at 1 pm.Thankfully the rain that had been threatening before we set off did not materialise, there was a café where we could have enjoyed a late morning cup of tea or coffee and there were several areas with interesting old outbuildings, walled courtyards and gardens with medieval towers to explore.
Greys Court has its origins in the 11th century. The De Greys were given permission to fortify it in the 14th century and there is one complete surviving tower which has been incorporated into the picturesque garden area known as the Tower Garden. The front of the house faces the upper part of the Green Court (the Elizabethan upper court). It was built by the then owner, Sir Francis Knollys, with three gables over three storeys with materials salvaged from the medieval house. The rendering which can be seen on the 18th century addition to the drawing room on the north front was stripped off in the 1930s when the Brunner family bought the house and estate in 1937. Sir Felix and Elizabeth, Lady Brunner restored the house and rescued the garden which was in a bad state and together with their four sons it became a family home. During the Second World War they welcomed schoolchildren who had been evacuated from London. Then in 1969 the Brunners gave Greys Court to the National Trust.
After looking around the gardens we had some refreshments in the Cowshed Tearoom before taking a look around the house. Photographs are not allowed because some items in the house are copyright so instead I'll share some of the photos I took of the delightful walled gardens, orchard and parkland.
the wisteria
the wisteria walk
This is a wonderful time of the year to visit a garden whether it's located in a grand country estate or it's a smaller garden. This weekend and on some other days during the Summer many private gardens in the UK are open under the National Garden Scheme. Tickets sold and other donations go towards many good causes.