Exploring Upton House and Gardens

I do like to explore and have new experiences, but sometimes going back to a place that you’ve enjoyed is just as joyful. This is exactly how I felt last week when I made a return visit to Upton House and Gardens. Situated in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside this elegant 1930s country house is one that has captivated me.

Upton House and Gardens dates back to the 12 century and it has had six owners since then. It was Lord and Lady Bearsted who brought it in 1927 and turned it into the house it is today. They primarily used it as a country house holding many parties, welcoming friends to enjoy their countryside estate. The 1930s influence is everywhere.

I’d been invited to Upton House to view the current renovations to the exterior and was looking forward to going onto the roof. Getting another perspective on the house and estate was wonderful.

It was great seeing parts of the house that aren’t open to visitors. The rooms we went through, to get to the roof, were inhabited by the servants and on the wall on the female side there is still the phone system.

There is a bell between the front and rear roof, but the National Trust have not yet discovered what it was used for. From either side of the house it isn’t visible.

Whilst here I had another look around the house. My favourite room is the long gallery, it is here where you can imagine spending an afternoon writing, or playing the piano, or even just reading quietly.

The sitting room is very much like a snug and with the sun shining through the window I could happily spend the afternoon in there. I could imagine in the winter it would have been quite cosy.

On this visit we made time to stroll around the gardens. From the house you just see the rolling countryside. And like wise when you are down at the mirror pool you can’t see the house.

Walking to the edge of the main lawn you get breathtaking views of the gardens and mirror pool.

To access the gardens you do need to navigate a moderate slope but it is well worth it. There are so many different areas including a scented garden, kitchen garden, formal garden, to name a few. There was a certain tranquility whilst walking around the mirror pool and smelling the peonies.

I could imagine spending the summer sitting on the terrace and enjoying this part of the Warwickshire countryside.

To finish of my visit I had a look at the current exhibition, Shell and the Art of Advertising, being hosted by Upton House. Lord Bearsted was the founder of Shell and the exhibition combines his love of art with his business interests. It was fascinating to see how art by young contemporary artists, commissioned by Jack Beddington, Shell’s Publicity Director, were used to create catchy phrases and slogans. The exhibition is on until January 2015.

I can’t wait to return to Upton House and Gardens, there are a few events in the summer we’ll be going to and then there will be the change of the seasons to look forward to.