Melford Hall

We usually try to visit a NT property whilst on our travels and today it was the turn of Melford Hall in Suffolk. A grand property with a chequered history and still the home of the direct descendants of the Hyde-Parker family who first purchased the property at auction in 1786. We really enjoyed our visit, the Guides were so informative and the real highlight for me was finding out that one of Beatrix Potter's cousins, Ethel Leech, lived at Melford and Beatrix stayed there often and gained inspiration for her book, 'Jeremy Fisher' from one of the Lily ponds she could see from her bedroom window. Some of her original drawings are still in the Nursery at Melford and the fireplace in the Servants' quarters Beatrix used in her 'Tailor of Gloucester' book. There was also the original Jemima Puddleduck toy.

We picnicked in the lovely grounds and later on our way home we stopped for tea and cake in a pretty vintage tea rooms in the gorgeous village/town of Long Melford - the diet will start next week!