Temple Newsam

It was Mick's birthday on Sunday so we decided to go out for a carvery for dinner, and delicious it was too. Afterwards, we thought we should walk off what we'd just eaten so we headed off to Temple Newsam, which is about a ten minute drive away from us, and is therefore, a regular haunt.

Temple Newsam is a Tudor-Jacobean house which is set within over 1500 acres of land and was landscaped by Capability Brown.

It has it's own rare breed Home Farm housing over 400 animals. It suffered an arson attack in January this year when a barn containing hay was set alight. Luckily, no animals were killed, but eighty rare breed cattle had to be moved away from danger.

In the Stable Courtyard there are tea rooms where you can sample some of the estate's own rare breed sausages and burgers. It's good to know that food for the cafe is sourced as locally as possible and that care is given to the cafe's carbon footprint. There's also an ice cream shop and a well stocked gift shop in the courtyard.

Just outside the courtyard is the ampitheatre where I remember watching plays as a child.

My mum and dad have lived very close to Temple Newsam for forty years so it's been a place I've frequented throughout my life. My school was just outside the grounds and I remember many games lessons running through Temple Newsam woods doing cross country, or taking a carrier bag to the running track where there is a hill to sledge down when snow was on the ground. I'm sure the pupils won't be allowed to do that in this day and age, there'll be some health and safety law which prevents it.

Archie enjoyed himself on Sunday. He met two other Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who he played with, and had a great time chasing his ball.

Temple Newsam is very familiar to Archie. He used to go to dog training classes there on a Sunday morning, though we soon packed it in when the weather got too cold. It's hard to tear yourself away from your cosy bed when the only prospect is icy cold winds and howling dogs at 9am on a Sunday morning.

There's many other areas in Temple Newsam which I haven't included in this post so I'll let you see those another time.

If you decide to take a trip to Temple Newsam, be aware that you have to pay to use the car park near the house, whereas the other car parks are free. Admission to the grounds is free but you have to pay to go inside the house or farm.

Our day out ended our holiday on a perfect note. Sadly, it was back to work for Mick on Monday but he's got a few four day weeks in the pipeline so it's not all bad.