Upton House

We were up early today and took Ted out for a walk before I went to the allotment to plant the rest of the courgettes and pumpkins.  We then set off to visit Upton House.  The gardens are amazing, some open lawn around the house but this is the view you get if you walk to the end of the lawn!  It was a very warm sunny day, just right for a wander round the beautiful gardens.
From the National Trust website.....
Upton House has changed owners many times over the years. During the reign of Richard I, in the 12th century, it  belonged to the Arden family who gave part of the land to the canons of St Sepulchre's in Warwick.


In 1452, it became a manor house. During the next 20 years, a new house was built, part of which can been seen in the basement of the present building.


The Cullens
Sir Rushout Cullen, the son of a city merchant, bought the house before 1695 and his initials can be seen on the rainwater heads at the rear. He developed the nine bays and two wings of the south front, which can be seen today.


The Bumsteads
On his death the house was sold to William Bumstead, who added the broken pediment on the north front and the Clipsham stone around the front door in about 1735.


From the Childs to the Bearsteds
In 1757 Bumstead sold Upton to Sir Francis Child, head of a major banking dynasty. Upton remained largely untouched architecturally for the next few years and was inherited as part of a dowry by the Earls of Jersey.


Upton House remained a minor residence - empty or let to tenants of the Earls of Jersey - until, in 1894, Upton was sold to Mr Andrew Motion from whom Lord Bearsted bought it in 1927.