Lady Anne Clifford (1590-1676) ranks as one of 17th century England’s most formidable, resolute and powerful noblewomen. As a child Anne was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I and attended the court of King James I. In spite of this privileged background, Anne endured 40 years of struggle before finally securing the right to inherit the riches of her father, the Earl of Cumberland.
Lady Anne was a great patron of the north of England, skillfully restoring or building from scratch a string of castles, country houses, churches and almshouses. Our tour, graced by a number of private visits, will trace the course of Lady Anne’s colourful life from her birthplace, Skipton Castle, to her final days at Brougham Castle.
On the northern fringes of the Lake District lies Dalemain House, the home of Lady Anne’s chiefe officer, Sir Edward Hasell, where we will enjoy a privileged visit and lunch. A private tour and lunch awaits us at Levens Hall, a splendid Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th century pele tower. Hung with work by van Dyck and Rubens, Levens boasts Britain’s finest topiary garden, laid out by a protégé of Le Nôtre in the late 17th century.
Hutton in the Forest, the residence of Lord and Lady Inglewood, has a fascinating history dating back to 1292, whilst Sizergh Castle, home of the Stricklands for generations, is distinguished by its exceptional series of oak-panelled rooms.
We stay on the banks of the River Kent in Kendal at the Riverside Hotel. A converted leather-mill dating from 1626, the Riverside is conveniently situated for all our visits.
Date: August 1–6, 2011 |
Cost: £890 |
Lecturer: David Bostwick |
Course Code: CLIF11 |
Itinerary
Day 1 Course assembles 1400 at Riverside Hotel, Kendal, for five nights. Afternoon: private visit to Sizergh Castle (excellent picture collection, superb limestone rock garden). Evening: drinks reception followed by lecture.
Day 2 Appleby: St Lawrence Church and Low Cross (refurbished by Lady Anne, heraldic burial monument), St Anne’s Hospital (almshouses endowed by Lady Anne), Upper Cross. Afternoon: Brough Castle, Pendragon Castle (Lady Anne’s great tower house), Mallerstang Chapel. Evening lecture: Lady Anne Clifford – The Early Years and Knole.
Day 3 Beamsley almshouses (exterior only), Bolton Abbey (great Augustinian Priory on banks of River Wharfe), Skipton Castle (birthplace of Lady Anne) for lunch and private tour. Afternoon: East Riddlesden Hall (17th century West Riding manor house).
Day 4 Private visit to Levens Hall (with lunch): magnificent Elizabethan mansion, topiary gardens laid out in 1694. Afternoon: Cumbria Record Office (Great Books of Record commissioned by Lady Anne), Georgian Abbot Hall (delightful picture collection, 18th century works by George Romney). Evening lecture: Lady Anne Clifford – The Later Years.
Day 5 Private visit to Winderwath Gardens followed by Countess Pillar and Brougham Castle (one of Lady Anne’s principle residences). Afternoon: Brougham Hall, St Wilfrid’s Chapel (reconstructed by Lady Anne, remarkable woodwork), private visit to Hutton in the Forest (home of Lord and Lady Inglewood), Yanwath Hall (14th century pele tower, 15th century hall).
Day 6 Private visit (with lunch) to Dalemain House (Lady Anne memorabilia, magnificent gardens). Course disperses 1400 at hotel.
Cost
Cost of £890 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, drinks reception, breakfast, dinner & three lunches, excursions & admissions (except English Heritage properties for non-members).
Not included: travel insurance, supplement for doubles/twins for single use £90.