0 Birstwith Hall

Birstwith Hall is the family home of the Aykroyd Baronets.  It is a beautiful estate, and I have driven by many times.  Today the gardens were open to the public as a part of the National Garden Scheme charity.   There were lots of flowers and decorative bushes and plants around the gardens.  I took many more pictures than I can put here, of course!

 Directly behind the house is a little circular raised area, with a fountain (seen below) and a sitting area.  This poem is on a paver leading into the walkway. 

"The kiss of the sun for pardon/ the song of the birds for mirth/ 

one is nearer to God's heart in a garden/ than anywhere else on earth"

Can you see the tiny fish?

The gardens are extensive, and there are many areas connected by various walkways.  This was alongside the vegetable gardens towards the tennis court.

Tang Beck (the creek) runs in front of the house.

You can see in the previous image that there are several of these curved alcoves for sitting along this wall.

Two of the three horses that live here.  They share a large pasture with some sheep.

One of two walking bridges over Tang Beck. 

I sat in front of the house with my tea and cake and enjoyed the view.  To the right (from looking out of the front of the house) is a little lily pond that Tang Beck flows through.  To the left is the pasture with the horses and sheep.

The house again.  You can get a much clearer shot when you aren't in your car on the road, feeling a bit like a stalker!  I think I could live here... although the utilities would be astronomical!