I’ve decided that I just don’t see enough of my country. I often sit, daydreaming about being on holiday (like reminiscing about my recent trip to the Seychelles) when really there’s just so much to do if only I got out the house more! This Saturday was different – I decided to go on an outing and see some of England. I opted to see ‘Little Moreton Hall’, a hall that dates back to the early 1500’s. I scrolled through the images on my phone, impressed with the now-wonky architecture, nodding my head with excitement.
I’d been getting out more recently such as camping between mountains in the Lake District and camping in the Peak District, feeling at one with nature and eh moths. But I hadn’t seen much of British culture and architecture, so this would be a chance to experience just that!
After a couple of hours, we were arriving at the gates of the stately home, glancing out the windows of the car at the impressive Tudor building in the distance. Little Moreton Hall is owned by the National Trust. As a result, we had to pay a £20 entry fee (£10 per person). However, I didn’t feel too down about it as I know that my fee goes towards the maintenance of the property and without fees like this, the house probably wouldn’t be standing.
After paying our fee, we were allowed through the gates. We walked down a little path with a field of interested cows on our right. The sun shone valiantly through the mottled sky, threatening to be engulfed by crisp white clouds. For England this is good weather! On our left was a stretch of grass. Behind it was Little Moreton Hall, surrounded by a moat. Hmmm, I thought. I wouldn’t mind a house like this.
I read that the very top floor of the house was added at a later date (around 80 years after the house was first built). The structure of the house couldn’t deal with it and the front of the house started to sag. The house was owned by the Moretons for generations before it was eventually bought by the National Trust.
We entered the house and found ourselves in a lovely courtyard, the house looming above us from three sides. The fourth side opened up to a lush green lawn where tables now stood where you could eat your lunch. A tour of the house started in 1 hour but I couldn’t wait that long so we decided to explore by ourselves.
I was impressed with how well maintained the building was. It was amazing to think that the house had been standing for over 500 years! From the outside, the house looked quite small in comparison to other stately homes that I’d visited. However, inside, it was easy to get lost. If it wasn’t for the obvious route through the house and following what other people were doing, I probably would have been lost.
The most interesting part of the house was the toilet. It was just a hole in a bench that dropped all the way down to the moat. My stomach dropped a little as I looked down the hole. It was a long way down.
We had lunch part way through looking round the house. I can’t last very long without my lunch! I got a sandwich, a tea and a shortbread biscuit. It was amazing! Either that or I was just really hungry. All was going well; I was having a nice, relaxing lunch in the sun. Suddenly, a little bird lands beside my sandwich. I was just so amazed that a bird was getting so close; I didn’t expect what happened next. The bird grabbed my partly eaten sandwich! I tried to shoo it off which worked but it took one of the pieces of bread with it. Fortunately, I’d nearly finished my meal but still I thought it was pretty cheeky yet funny at the same time.
After lunch, we finished looking round the house and then ventured into the gardens.
After a fun day, it was time to head home. I really enjoyed myself and concluded that I should do things like this more often. I wonder where I’ll go next!
