I filmed this one over a 2 year period, hence the lawns look a very different colour. One was last summer after no rain for weeks, and the other was a few months ago, on a great day after a lot of rain!!
Join me for a visit to Dudmaston Hall, a beautiful National Trust country house near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, filmed with a mix of ground footage and aerial views.
At first glance, Dudmaston looks like a traditional English country home, with its red-brick frontage, formal gardens, woodland and peaceful lake views. But behind that calm exterior is a story stretching back nearly 900 years.
In this video, we look at the long history of the Wolryche and Wolryche-Whitmore family, including the Civil War Royalist Sir Thomas Wolryche, the building of the present hall in the late 17th century, and the later alterations by local architect and builder John Smalman.
We also explore the story of William Wolryche-Whitmore, the Shropshire politician and reformer who supported the abolition of slavery, and Geoffrey Wolryche-Whitmore, remembered for his work with forestry on the Dudmaston estate.
But Dudmaston has one more surprise — inside this traditional country house is an important collection of modern art, shaped by Sir George and Lady Rachel Labouchere, who helped secure the house, estate and collections for the public through the National Trust.
From its historic rooms and gardens to the lake, woodland and wider estate, Dudmaston Hall is one of Shropshire’s most quietly fascinating places.