The Orangery

Sarah told me about this find a short while ago.  Despite living in the area for a long time, this was a new discovery for her too.  This mosaic floor was part of The Orangery and Conservatory.  It's a huge floor space and gives an indication of the size and impressive nature of the missing house (mansion, really!) built for Titus Salt Junior.

It's now a few minor piles of rubble and the odd enormous carved stone cast aside.  Incredible to think that something so grand has almost disappeared.  It's a sad story of, I'd like to think, unfortunate coincidences, as to why.

We walked up the vast driveway (now a track) to the North Lodge which has been beautifully restored - another feeling for the scale and design of the main house which you don't even see unless you know to take a lesser worn path off to one side.  We came across the huge front steps by accident.

It's hard to imagine that so little remains but it was apparently used by Salts Mill has building materials once they realised nobody wanted to live there anymore.

I used to teach about Titus Salt Senior as part of our Victorians topic, given my school was just over the road.  Maybe that's why a pile of rubble and a hint of the cellars beneath left me with such a remarkable feeling of history.

Sarah always finds gems for walks and this was no exception, particularly given we managed to stay dry while we chatted away too.  I've said before, woods aren't places I'd explore alone so this was another reason to enjoy going there and the dogs seemed to have a fine time too.