Ashton Court
Grade II listed Historic Parks and Gardens
It certainly felt like a good idea to stretch those legs after much indulgence over the last few days. During the pandemic when travelling is limited, people are looking much closer to home and enjoying local parks and historic gardens evermore than before. What would be more perfect than taking a short walk around the beautiful grounds of Ashton Court on a Christmas Sunday afternoon.
The mansion and its surrounding grounds bear so much history. Like many historic houses in the UK, it dates back to the 11th century and had since changed many hands, seen through many wars and had been altered and added to by many owners through the ages. After World War II and with the passing of its last private owner, the mansion fell into disrepair and was eventually rescued by the local government.
Ombra Mai Fu
A beautiful Cedar tree provided us with shelter during a sudden downpour, just like the plane tree in Handel’s ‘Largo from Xerxes’ except that, this time not from the sun but the rain.
Intricate wood carvings on the mansion’s door, where we sheltered again from another downpour under a niche.
Yes those little dots you can barely see are deer
Ashton Court also holds many events and festivals throughout the year: I took this photograph in 2017 whilst watching the balloons being lifted up in the air from Ashton Court’s grounds during the International Balloon Fiesta.
27 Dec - Written by Tian Ze Hao