Cowdenknowes

Sunshine and blue skies - clearing up the aftermath of two weeks with children rampaging put aside for another day. TM mentioned that we'd not explored the Leader Water ... it's just a few miles north of here. The path goes along above the river through some lovely old woodland, then steeply down to the river. Crossing the little bridge and climbing up the opposite bank, this building came into sight - Cowdenknowes. I know the old ballad "The Broom of the Cowdenknowes", but I'd no idea that it was just up the road. The broom, of course, was in bloom ..

The house is an amazing agglomeration - we couldn't see much of the oldest part, which dates back to around the mid 1500s. Bits have been added, blown up, rebuilt - most of what you see here is Victorian. The remains of an even older tower stand in the garden, not much is visible above ground, though apparently the dungeons (2) are intact.

It's all very peaceful now, in its little valley full of wild flower and birdsong  today. I notice the Ukrainian flag flying from the tower.