Wollaton Park - January Walk 2019
w/e 20 January 2019
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
As the calendar rolls over to another year we are
often drawn to the wide open spaces of Wollaton Park and this
year was no exception. We have of course visited the park in
other seasons but it is a year since pictures of the park were
added to the site but here we go again with another January walk.
There are several ways into the park but on this occasion we
opted for the entrance off Parkside and walked down the avenue
of trees seen here on the right to the lake. The Hall was just
visible through the haze above the distant tree tops (just left
of centre).
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The path leads to the end of the lake which is a popular spot
for feeding the birds.
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From the end of the lake we crossed a small bridge over a dry
moat and followed the path up to the Hall.
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Impressive as it looks this is in fact the side of the Hall,
the front being the face to the right although the main entrance
for visitors is the left facing side. The building on the left
is the old Stable Block. The signpost points to various places
in the park and indicates the path leading up to the right which
leads to the Camellia House. We however turned left into the
Stable Block.
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The Stable Block now houses the Nottingham Industrial Museum
but immediately on the left through the entrance arch is the
Visitor Centre and Shop. In the first courtyard beyond is a cafe.
We continued through the arches and courtyard.
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In the second courtyard is "The Potting Shed" where
various items for the garden can be purchased although a sign
(inset) inviting you to pick next door's flowers would probably
not be too popular with the neighbours!
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From the Stable Block we made our way past the main car park
and followed the drive up to the main entrance on the north side
(rear) of the Hall and then proceeded through a gate on the left
to walk around to the front.
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Although the lawns are rather plain looking now, the view from
the Hall in its heyday must have been a splendid site as old
old drawing on the Nottinghamshire History website shows (link). The roof of the building on the
right is the Camellia House and it was to there we headed next.
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To get there we followed the paths and descended the steps turning
right to continue along the path below the terrace.
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As we approached the Camellia House, there was a hint of dampness
in the air but after a brief look round inside, it was dry again
when we stepped outside. The Camellia House is said to be the
first known example of a building in prefabricated cast iron
and glass.
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