Anglesey Abbey

On our way to our recent long weekend in Southwold with friends we called by Anglesey Abbey. It's a National Trust property that we have visited before but being NT members it was a perfect rest stop being midway of our journey.

Although now where near North Wales it does have a vague link to being an Abbey as it was converted in the 13th century to a priory after being the Hospital of St Mary founded in 1135 by Henry I.

The Dissolution during Henry VIII rule saw the end of the priory and the Abbey was left to decay, some of its stone being used nearby by John Hynde for his new mansion Madingley Hall.

In 1609 the Fowkes family acquired the property and began renovating it back into a habitable dwelling.

After decades of the house changing through various families it became the property of Lord Fairhaven in 1932. He lived at the Abbey until his death 1966 when it was taken over by the National Trust.

There are many interesting rooms in the Abbey along with a huge amount paintings and various objects.

It was quite difficult to photograph because of reflections but this beaded fire screen was stunning. As was the ornate pineapple clock which chimes on the hour and all the pineapples open out, we were not there at the right time to see this unfortunately.

The artwork and design was so intricately especially this ceiling made of plaster with beautiful coats of arms and motifs. 

The embroidery (again hard to photograph) was a section of an alter cloth, now behind glass as a wall hanging.

Upstairs all the bedrooms were plush, especially Queen Elizabeth's Room, this was where the Queen Mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon used to stay.

The Upper Gallery is an vast display of painting of Windsor Castle, each by a different artist and from all view points. It's an amazing display, some are by very well known artists. Lord Fairhaven seems to have had a fascination with this iconic Castle, there are many more such paintings in storage.

Downstairs in the Abbey was a huge walk in safe where the silverware was kept. The kitchens and working rooms had a 1930s to 1950s feel about them, especially the store cupboard which had many packages I remember from my grandparents.

We had a great time at Anglesey Abbey, the National Trust scones were delicious as always. It is certainly a great place to take a break whilst on a long journey.