As part of a series of reports on previous summer outings with Clent History Society, we will take a look back to 2010 and our trip to Chavenage house.
Our summer visit in June, to Chavenage near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, was an outstanding success. We had a little difficulty in negotiating our outward journey from Painswick, where we enjoyed morning coffee at the Rococo gardens, because the A46 was unexpectedly closed, but our splendid coach driver found an alternative route and we arrived at Chavenage on time.Here we were warmly welcomed by members of the charming owner family and taken on fascinating and amusing tours of the house. The house has been occupied by only two families during its entire history. Many of us were delighted to find it a real home, with dust and cobwebs – so different from the National Trust’s pristine properties. The catering was also a family affair and we enjoyed a delicious lunch and later a sumptuous tea. The exterior and interior of the house has been used in recent years as the location for several television and film productions – The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The House of Elliot and Lark Rise to Candleford. Only days after our visit the house appeared in all it’s glory as the backdrop to an episode of Poirot.
It was a memorable day and will be very difficult indeed to equal. As ever on these visits, the weather was glorious!
By Carole Hodgson – Excerpt from Clent History Newsletter Jan 2011
Another exciting trip has already been planned for members, for the summer of 2011. Tickets are going quickly.
Would you like to hear more of our meetings and Historical Outings? Our 3 year membership deal is a bargain. Contact us for details, or download a membership form and post it to our secretary, Carole Hodgson.
