Dudmaston Estate |
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Dudmaston offers a wonderful collection of art and sculptures in a grand country house setting. A visit to this splendid estate offers a choice of how to spend your day, with a magnificent stately home, extensive gardens, a comprehensive art collection, parkland walks, pools with birds and wildlife, a working sawmill, picnic area, café and gift shop.
The Dudmaston Estate has been in continuous family ownership since 1126 and the family tree on display in the Darby Room shows the Darby family with their Coalbrookdale connections, the Christys, Fells and the Wolryche-Whitmores, who lived at the estate from 1403.
Lady Labouchere was the niece of Geoffrey Wolryche-Whitmore and she inherited the estate from him in 1966. She was the fifth generation
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The long tree-lined drive is an excellent way to appreciate the Queen Anne style house and gardens. It was probably built by Francis Smith around 1700. It is surrounded by beautiful parkland which runs down to the River Severn and provides scenic country walks.
Tours of Dudmaston begin in the hallway which has the feel of a comfortable country home. Walking sticks propped in the corner, fresh floral arrangements and dog bowls on the floor add that lived-in touch to this wonderful interior.
The study remains as it was before the death of Lady Labouchere in 1996. Boar heads and cheetahs decorate the wood-panelled walls while a computer stands on the desk alongside a family photograph. The computer is a particularly nice touch as Charles Babbage, the father of modern day computers, married into the Wolryche-Whitmore family in 1814.
The Georgian staircase is lit by a twinkling chandelier and has a collection of chiming clocks. Beyond the Library and the Oak Room is the octagonal Dining Room, with the main display of Sir
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More appealing to some is the Botanical Art Room with books and Dutch flower paintings by John Nash, Mary Grierson (botanical artist at the Royal Botanic Garden Kew) and Lady Labouchere herself.
More treasures await in the Costume Room where Lady Labouchere's clothes worn at the Great International Exhibition in Brussels in 1958 can be seen along with a collection of children's clothing from the late 1800s. Look out for Jane, the doll who has lived at Dudmaston since 1760.
Below stairs, the servant's quarters show more hunting trophies, 15 service bells and personal proclamations given to staff on special events.
The formal gardens, through the modern Eternity Gates, cover nine acres with a rockery and colourful summer herbaceous borders. The Dingle offers woodland walks, more sculptures and there is a scenic lake known as the Big Pool which attracts birds and wildlife.
Timber from the Dudland Estate is still processed at the early 20th century saw mill where visitors can see trees being cut into planks. Rough timber and garden products are on sale here.
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
3rd April - 28th September:House: Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 2.00pm - 5.30pm. Booked guided tours of house: April - September Mondays 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Garden: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 12.00pm - 6.00pm. Tea-room and Shop: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 11.30am - 5.30pm. Open Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets)House and garden: Adult £7.35 (£6.65); Child £3.70 (£3.35) Family £18.40 (£16.70). Park and Garden: Adult £5.80 (£5.25); Child £2.90 (£2.60) Family £14.50 (£13.15) |
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Directions
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Bus Services: Arriva Midlands 297 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster (passing close Kidderminster ) Cycling: View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website. By Ferry: From Severn Valley Railway via river ferry and walk from Hampton Loade. By Road: 4 miles south east of Bridgnorth on A442. By Train: Hampton Loade (Severn Valley Railway) 1½ miles; Kidderminster 10 miles. On Foot: National Trust walks from Hampton Loade car park to the property. Ordnance survey reference: 138:SO746887 |
| Show map of Dudmaston Estate... |
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Dudmaston Estate Postcode for SatNav: WV15 6QN |
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National Trust | Estate Agents |
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