Posts

Posted on

A la Ronde #50places2026

A la Ronde

After visiting Castle Drogo, it was only a short drive to A la Ronde, which is just past Exeter on the road to Exmouth.

A la Ronde

Characterful 16-sided house and grounds with views of the Exe estuary, built in 1796 by cousins Jane & Mary Parminter. Filled with curious mementoes of their Grand Tour travels, and handcrafted decorations from shell, feather and paper.

Current saving £118.30
One adult £12.00
Parking Free
Total saving £12.00
Cumulative saving £226.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £130.30

I loved this house, this is not a grand mansion, but certainly is a large house across four floors. The odd shaped house has odd shaped rooms. The house was the brainchild of two cousins, who after touring Europe for ten years wanted a house that echoed their experiences. A later relative, as they do, converted the house, adding another floor to the property. The top floor is now closed to visitors, and was more of a gallery decorated with shells and feathers. It is now too delicate for people to go and see. What I initially didn’t realise that there is also a lower ground floor that comprises the kitchen and store rooms.

This was an beautiful house and an incredible experience. Certainly a place I would like to visit again.

Posted on

Castle Drogo #50places2026

I had planned to visit Castle Drogo last week, but in the end decided not to, as I knew I was heading off to Oxford on Monday and needed time to do stuff at home. So, with the sun shining, I drove down the M5 to Castle Drogo.

Castle Drogo

Where dramatic architecture meets innovative family home. A 20th century castle overlooking the Teign Gorge.

Current saving £96.30
One adult £18.00
Parking £4.00
Total saving £22.00
Cumulative saving £214.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £118.30

This is for all intents and purposes a modern castle. Construction started in 1911 and though the family moved in, in 1926, it still wasn’t finished.

The castle was given to the National Trust in 1974, the first building constructed in the twentieth century that the Trust acquired.

It is one of those buildings that for me, is just doesn’t work. It feels like a fake castle, and that isn’t just because it is fake, but I think the way it was built using blocks of granite makes it look quite artificial. In some places it looks like concrete bunkers. I think the issue is that it is too neat and tidy, too new. Which isn’t surprising as it is less than a hundred years old. You can’t really compare this castle to, say Chirk Castle, which was built in 1295 and became a family home there hundred years later.

Inside the layout feels strange with varying staircases, rooms on different levels and feeling quite, I should say cosy, but actually what I want to say is claustrophobic.

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed my visit to the castle, it was a great experience to explore the rooms, and it felt like most of the castle was open to visitors. I really enjoyed going through the kitchen and store rooms. I was equally impressed with the hydro electric that was installed, complete with batteries, a sustainable house well before its time.

The National Trust has many houses you can visit, this is one I did want to go and see, and all in all, it was an enjoyable trip.

Posted on

Brasenose College #50places2026

I have visited Oxford many times over the years. I also worked there for a couple of years (doing extreme commuting). Looking back, the last time I was in Oxford was in 2023. I had though in those visits never visited Brasenose College. It was founded in 1509. It is one of the many college that constitute the University of Oxford.

I was attending a conference there over two days and it certainly is a splendid building, and though I wasn’t able to explore I did enjoy walking around the various quads.