Our final destination was Farnborough Hall, which is a Grade 1 listed building, and had been used as an Auxiliary hospital in both world wars. It is only open in the afternoon on a limited number of days and is still owned and lived in by the Holbech family but the fabric is in the care of the National Trust.
The drive to the House goes deep into the Warwickshire countryside, a land of rich green fields and woodlands, hills and valleys. Our first view was an Ionic temple, high up on a hillside. We were warmly welcomed as we entered the entrance hall – an airy room, the ceilings decorated with superb plasterwork in the Rococo style and busts in the Roman style set in alcoves high up in the walls. I particularly liked the circular table in the centre of the room, the whole surface being inlaid with a huge variety of Italian marbles and a centre of lapis lazuli.
We were directed to the Sitting room, which is obviously a family room with comfortable furniture and small table piled high with books, magazines and games. Artistically, it also had wonderful plasterwork and paintings on the walls. Most memorable are 4 Canalettos, bought by one of the ancestors directly from Canaletto himself. Sadly, these are no longer the originals, which were sold in 1929.
We also visited the dining room and library, which contains a rather incongruous flat screen TV but also a grand piano, which we were invited to play. Sadly, I don’t think anyone did!
The house stands in extensive grounds, well worth exploring. We found the Ice house, hidden behind the Rose garden and also the Cascade, though there was very little water in it, thanks to the drought. We walked along the terrace at the front of the house, with views across the valley and down to the lake. The terrace continues as a wide, grassy track up the hillside. On the left side we found the Regency game larder and on the right side, the Ionic temple with more wonderful views.
It had been a lovely conclusion to our time in Warwickshire.
– Patti Tankard