Wednesday 17 August 2016

Tredegar House Part II - A Toddler Explores

Tredegar-House-Part-II-A-Toddler-Explores-text-on-image-of-toddler-outside-stately-house


When we first visited Tredegar House we just didn't get time to explore the house. We had so much fun in the gardens that we just ran out of time so we came back to see the house.
It was a wet day but the house wasn't busy, there appeared to be an event happening elsewhere judging by the man in the funny suit.

Tredegar-House-Part-II-A-Toddler-Explores-man-in-colourful-suit-walking-toward-Tredegar-house

The house is beautiful and as soon as you climb the numerous steps to get in you can see the grandeur of the entrance hall. This was definitely built to impress.
The house isn't really buggy friendly but does have disabled access. There is a lift to get into the house and another to the first floor but we left our buggy under the stairs.

Tredegar-House-entrance-hall-with-toddler-and-lamp-stand-with-bulbs-like-candles
The light reflecting off the lens looks like sparkles around Bear

Although it's main purpose is a stately home it does have some activities for children. There is a large box of dressing up clothes, a shadow puppet theatre and a table with board games on.

toddler-wearing-bonnet
Bear liked the bonnet best

toddler-wearing-bonnet-at-tredegar-house-looking-in-mirror
Mirror, mirror on the wall.......

shadow-of-a-dog-in-a-shadow-puppet-theatre

toddler-with-dog-shadow-puppet
Bear loved the shadow puppet theatre

We dragged Bear away from the shadow puppets and went into a beautiful study, Bear immediately sat at the table and demanded to do "drawing". He was very disappointed that I hadn't brought felt-tips to colour in the antique plans.

toddler-sat-at-table-with-pout-on-his-face
Drawing!

We then went upstairs where there is a school room with another box of dressing up clothes, this time school uniforms. There was also a video explaining it all but Bear was keen to explore the rest of the house.

staircase-with-portraits-hung-on-the-yellow-walls

On the wall in the school room is a board. It is titled what did your school report say? It is really worth stopping and reading some of these. Visitors, school children I presume, are invited to write their own with hilarious if predictable results.

My teacher said that I'm very good at everything

I ate a cow for bekfast

I am the best in year 8


board-with-what-did-your-school-report-say?-and-writing-on-pieces-of-paper-hung-on-hooks


Bear didn't stay in the school room for long and was soon off to the master bathroom and bedroom. The Morgans owned the house for 500 years. It was the first building in Wales to be built of red brick and it is said that Charles I stayed here. Their wealth didn't last, in the early 1900's flamboyant parties and other extravagances depleted the family fortunes until finally in 1951 the house had to be sold.

toddler-walking-down-corridor


chair-with-huge-bottle-of-bollinger-and-smoking-jacket
During the early 1900's the Morgans held extravagant parties

toddler-looking-at-photo-with-woman-pointing-to-a-detail-on-it
One of the guides explains to Bear that  Lord Tredegar owned a parrot and took it on his shoulder everywhere. They were related to Captain Morgan, the pirate.


toddler-looking-behind-door
There was music playing and Bear quickly found the speaker

toddler-stood-by-huge-bathtub
The bathroom was opulent with marble walls and a huge bath tub, but surprisingly to Bear, no water.

There are beautiful views across the parkland from all the windows. Our previous visit, Tredegar House & Gardens, describes the gardens and parkland in more detail.

view-through-window-at-tredegar-house-looking-towards-stables-and-parkland
View towards the stables



servants-bells-labelled-chintz-dressing-room-kings-bedroom-library-pink-dressing-room-front-hall-bath-room

toddler-at-big-door
Bear wanted to look in here but the door was locked


steep-steps-to-the-basement-kitchen
Down into the basement to the kitchen


We had a whirlwind tour of the house led by Bear. It is definitely a house to enjoy and explore further. There are many guides that are more than happy to explain the history and give an insight into how the rich lived.

We have a subscription to the National Trust so entry for us was free. There is a charge for the car park, £2 all day, and a further charge to enter the house and gardens. The park is free to explore. Up to date details of entry fees, opening time and events can be found on the National Trust website.






SHARE:

No comments

Post a Comment

© Teddy Bears And Cardigans. All rights reserved.
Blogger Templates by pipdig