Monday 24 October 2011

Eye lamb Hall


Ilam (eye-lamb, not ill-am) Hall, in Staffordshire, is owned by the National Trust. The first hall on this site was built by the Port family in the sixteenth century. In the 1820s, this was demolished by Jesse Watts Russell and replaced by a larger, grander hall. In the 1920s, most of this second hall was also demolished, some being saved by Sir Robert McDougall who bought the estate and then donated it to the National Trust in 1934.


What remains of the hall is now used as a Youth Hostel of the YHA. The hall also contains a small National Trust shop and Tea Rooms (which sells rather tasty scones - pronounced scownes, not scons).

The photo above shows the view from outside the Tea Rooms. On a warm day, you can sit here with your drink and enjoy this incredible view! (Even on a cold day, if you wish. The tea rooms lends blankets to those who would like to sit outside on the chilliest days!).

Incidentally, that flat topped hill is called Thorpe Cloud. More about that in another post.


I love the chimneys above the main archway at the front of the hall!


And on the grass outside, is this decorative trig point. I want one!!

11 comments:

  1. Gorgeous - truly the setting for some wonderful costume drama! I love that last photo of the trig point - I am working on one of those.

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  2. The view of Thorpe Cloud and the church from the tea shop is one my very favourite views - I've seen it in all types of weather in all seasons and I never tire of it:)

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  3. Did you go to the top of Thorpe Cloud? We've been up it a few times :)

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  4. What another beautiful place you've shared with us! The grounds are so green still, even with the onset of your cooler weather and the view is truly splendid. I've always wondered why the English pronounce scons, scownes :) I loved Pondside's comment...a setting for a wonderful costume drama! I'd never seen a 'trig point' before. Most intriguing!

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  5. 'tis "scone" [to go with "gone"]... but yes they are rather tasty =D

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  6. NHNHNHNH!!! Scone, to rhyme with lone and phone - not to mention cone!!!

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  7. Beautiful !

    Love, love, love the chimneys. Not at all like the plain boring ones we have.

    cheers, parsnip

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  8. I'll take the chimneys if you're giving bits and pieces of this site away.

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  9. You do visit some wonderful places

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  10. What a stunning location - another for my must-visit list!

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  11. I could sit and drink tea all day......
    Perfect eye candy.

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