As the calendar flips from February to March, we find ourselves abruptly catapulted into spring and the new House Opening season. There have been tell-tale signs that the dynamics are about to change; the odd whiff of paint from areas being spruced up for visitors, the sound of the sander as floors are re-done, seasonal staff returning into their familiar roles, orders for apple juice and Gift Shop stock are being processed. The 2020 season is now very close indeed. We open to visitors from Sunday 29th March, check the links on our website for exact times and days.
There is plenty to see and do. We are hugely excited about our Dolls’ Houses. We now have a pretty large collection. Not just Dolls’ Houses (from suburban to mock Tudor) but Room Boxes, Scenes and Shops, I had no idea that there was such a huge world out there of miniatures! June is Dolls’ House month when they will all be on show, but we will have a good number for your to see during the whole season.
The extraordinary exhibition, Crowns and Crests will continue to amaze this summer. These Crowns and Crests were once on show in St George’s Chapel in Windsor and belonged to Garter Knights who have died during the Queen’s reign. They are dusted and cleaned and ready to be viewed.
The Victor Batte Lay Foundation have been to check all is in order with the paintings by local East Anglian artists, that are on show here on loan from the Foundation, don’t miss them, a small exhibition, but there are some lovely pictures and prints, especially interesting if you love East Anglia.
Check out the events on our website, we hope we have something for everyone from beautiful birds of prey with Eden Falconry flying low across the top lawns to the Tudor Legacies a re-enactment group who are visiting several times during the season as Henry VIII’s six wives, not an enviable role, come and see things from their point of view…there are old favourites such as the Village Fete and Bottle Feeding the Lambs to some exciting new music days.
We love the change over from winter mode, although, throughout the year we are still busy with weddings, school visits, conferences, meetings and parties etc its a lovely change to welcome visitors who come to admire, enjoy and relax in our Tudor world. If you haven’t been before, why not make a plan? Bring a friend, come on your own, bring the family. Most people who come on a visit for the first time say, wow, this is amazing, we never knew it was here.
We are here in the office from Monday to Friday if you need to ask any questions give us a call 01206 330794 or email
We look forward to meeting you
Sarah
