Wednesday 12 January 2011

If you don't, you'll be alone, and like a ghost, I'll be gone.


It's becoming an increasing habit of mine to check out the National Trust website before going on a trip and seeing if there are any interesting places nearby to go and visit, and photograph. Surely a sign that I'm turning into an old lady! (I do, however, have the National Trust app on my iPhone, so that's quite trendy, at least...)

When I visited the West Country in October, I did this very thing, and my friend Pam and I grabbed a few hours to visit A La Ronde, just outside Exmouth in Devon. Here's the history bit - concentrate! A La Ronde is an 18th Century house, notable for having 16 sides. It was built for two unmarried cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter who lived there until Jane died. The reason it's 16 sided is so as much natural light could get in as possible, and the cousins would follow the light around the house throughout the day.

According to Wikipedia, the cousins lived somewhat eccentric lives and you definitely get that impression wandering around. It's a cool little place though, with loads of interesting decor and weird little ornaments and such. There's also a massive shell gallery that you can't get to, because it's so delicate - but basically the whole top floor of the house is covered in shells. Each to their own. Walking around though, you do get the distinct feeling that the cousins had a LOT of time on their hands. And that they really liked shells.


When walking round, I was asked approximately 40 times if the focusing light on my camera was a flash, as flash photography is forbidden. That explanation was always satisfactory although it does make me wonder, in terms of damage, how much better the focusing light is than a flash! Ah well. We were also asked if we were art students - considering we both left university six years ago, we were quite pleased with that!

Also, we got to wear top hats. WIN.

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16 comments

  1. oh wow, isn't it beautiful? I'd love a round house like that! xx

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  2. What an amazing house! It looks like it would be such a cosy place to live.

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  3. That's like my dream house right there! Really want to go now :) and I might start checking the National Trust site if it means I might get to see places like that! xx

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  4. I love visiting historical places and buildings. They're always so beautiful.

    Wow at it having 16 sides! Must look amazing. The whole house looks great.

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  5. Wow what an awesome house! Hehe especially love the last pic you captured with the kitty in! :) I love visiting unique & historical places like these as well, may have a peek at the NT site & make some plans! :)

    Aysh xoxo

    trulymadlybeauty.blogspot.com

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  6. that's amazing and properly on my visit list! my NT membership doesn't see enough use...

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  7. What a gorgeous place! I love National Trust properties, I always steal my parents' cards before I go anywhere just in case!

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  8. Oh I am jealous you've been to A La Ronde! It's one of the houses I really want to go to but Devon is just so flipping far away :(

    I could probably get you the technical answer to that camera question but anything to do with light damage and lux hours and my brain tends to start wandering. Hey, at least it's progress to be allowed to take photographs inside the houses! Lots of them (including the one I work at) still don't allow it for a variety of reasons.

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  9. Certainly looks like an interesting place to visit.. I'm a bit concerned that I've never heard of it - being that I live in Devon (& have done all my life :/)

    Just an aside - I like your coat :) The colour's gorgeous.

    www.heart-shaped-bruise.blogspot.com

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  10. this is so nifty.. i love the tones and colours in all your pictures too! and rounded corners... drool. by far my favorite thing in the world.

    i can't thank you enough for the sweet comment!! i absolutely adore you and your blog so it means a lot to me to have you follow and comment! squeee. i'm such a fangirl.

    <3

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  11. Great pictures. Looks like such a beautiful place to have visited. I should start looking into National Trust houses - I'm sure there are loads of places near where I live that I've not been to. x

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  12. I love going to old houses, im such a nosy person!
    Sophie
    x

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  13. I love quirky houses like that. I really hope I get a weird house that's gorgeous but a little bit odd when I'm older.

    The last time I was in a National Trust place my band were playing carols there for Christmas. They made a big fuss about us not scratching the floor with our music stands (which was fair enough) but then just as we were leaving I dropped a really heavy music stand sharp side down straight on the floor! So embarrassing. I went so red I must have heated the whole place up.

    Gorgeous photos today. And top hats are cool , no question.

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  14. AMAZING!! Yay go EARLY GRANNIES!
    such a cute little house! I wouls really like to visit this, such quirky architecture, genius really..
    lovely pics too :)
    x

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  15. LOVE all these photos and I'd love to follow the sun around all day. Dreeeeamy!


    ▲ WOLF WHISTLE ▲

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