Montacute House is a late Elizabethan country house in Somerset, and is considered to be one of the finest houses from the Elizabethan era. It has survived almost unchanged. It was built in the 1590s from local ‘ham stone’ from the nearby Ham Hill quarries, a jurassic limestone known for the beauty of its honey-gold colouring. It remained in the Phelips family until the early c20, and became one of the first National Trust properties in 1927. By then it had largely been emptied of its contents. Today it houses an important collection of pictures from the National Portrait Gallery. Unsurprisingly the house and its grounds are much used for films and TV costume dramas.
A sunny day in early January was the perfect time for a family expedition to Montacute, including Genevieve (18 months, cute) who was more interested in the fish in the pond than anything else.
In between two pavilions are gates onto a long ride stretching far into the distant parkland
The Phelips Coat of Arms above the front door
A ‘welcome’ message that I suspect is not an original feature…
Adornments on the garden walls, the first presumably a fountain in days gone by
Part 2 will show some of the architectural detail of Montacute, and more of the gardens
ROLLING HARBOUR GALLERY 
What a perfect time of the year for a visit.
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The first sunny day after horizontal, roof-penetrating rain and floods in Dorset. What a beautiful one. No p/shop required! RH
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It’s beautiful!
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And the most perfect day to be there, Cindy. The stone is amazingly beautiful. Many old buildings in the area are made of it, or have Ham Stone features (even ours – a bow window).
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I’ve put it on the list of interesting NT objects, RH. Since last year I’m a member of NT and I’m enjoying it very much. Thanks a lot for this fine presentation. Genevieve looks absolutely adorable!
Love, Dina
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NT membership makes it all so easy – and no need to feel obliged to view the ‘Exhibition of c18 Broken or Rusty Kitchen Implements’ to get one’s money’s worth. Genevieve is adorable, and the youngest Harbour; but within 6 weeks she’s in for a shock! The unseen ‘baby’ she knows about will be a squalling reality in her life… RH
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How exciting! That’s great news, I’m so happy for you. 🙂
I’m sure Genevieve will make a perfect bigger sister!
Best wishes – and warm regards to Mrs Harbour,
Dina
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