I love, love, love trip planning! So after my post a few weeks ago about my writers’ retreat I couldn’t help fantasizing about a Risky Retreat. It probably won’t be practical to do this for some time but just thinking about it was fun.
As far as location, a country house inn somewhere in England would be ideal. Someplace we could all find plenty of peace to write (or read–our non-writing Risky visitors would be welcome too!) Maybe some side excursions to stately homes or museums. And of course, great food and wine.
I thought about some of my husband’s and my favorite getaways in England, country inns like Trengilly Wartha Inn in Cornwall or the Waltzing Weasel in the Peak District but these are perhaps a bit small and not quite the Regency feel. So I googled around a bit and here’s what I found.
How about Middlethorpe Hall in Yorkshire (above). According to the website, it’s “a William III country house, close to the city, set in 20 acres of its own gardens and parkland. Built in 1699, it was once the home of the famous diarist, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.” How cool would is that? It also has a Health & Fitness Spa so we could exercise, have beauty treatments, massages, etc…, or just plot our next award-winning novels in the whirlpool.
Or how about Hunstrete House? It’s situated on 71 acres of woodland, gardens and deerpark and situated between Bath and Wells, convenient for side excursions to either.
Or Hintlesham Hall in Suffolk? It looks like another lovely spot, also with a health club. And maybe we could get them to do a Sabrage evening for us?
So what do you think? Other suggestions of places to stay? Do you like the idea of just reading, writing and excursions or are there other special activities you’d want to add? Any fantasy guests you’d like to invite?
Elena 🙂
www.elenagreene.com
Count me in, Elena! Any one of those places sounds good to me! I’m just panting to get back to England, and wouldn’t it be fun to write and read and spa together with people who share your Regency obsession?
Ah, bliss.
The last time we were in England one of the places was advertising a workshop, “Undressing Mr. Darcy.” I want us to arrange that.
I’m with Deb. Any of those places sound good!
Elena, your question was like asking me if I want chocolate.
Of course! When?
Hunstrete House near York sounds fabulous, as does Hintlesham Hall near Ipswich. I went over and pored over their sites, and sighed, and dreamed.
Now that you’ve whetted our interest, when are we going to do this? Specifics, specifics.
And yes, to all workshop suggestions from Diane. Nothing like hands-on research…
Gorgeous!
How about a place that doesn’t have a gym, so we don’t have to feel guilty when we don’t exercise? 🙂
(Joke! Of course, I exercise *all* the time!) 🙂
Actually, the whole thing does sound absolutely lovely.
Cara
The last time we were in England one of the places was advertising a workshop, “Undressing Mr. Darcy.” I want us to arrange that.
I’m sure we’re all willing to make that sacrifice in the name of meticulous research. 🙂
I could have sworn I typed a response here and hit enter…..
Love the estates! Love undressing Mr. Darcy! Love to stop for an ale or a cup of tea at the Whistling Weasel!
Man, I hope this posts!
You can sign me up for the retreat! Though I may have to give “Undressing Mr. Darcy” a miss. 🙂
Todd-who-will-sign-up-for-“Undressing-Lizzie”-instead
I am SO there! 🙂 Reading, writing, historical sites, wine, Mr. Darcy–what more could we want?? (Cara, I’m sure we would get plenty of exercise strolling the gardens, LOL)
Oh geez, I like any and all of those places, so I can’t pick and choose. . . I’d love to stay at all of them! 🙂
Undressing Mr. Darcy. . . now that’s incredibly important scientific research. I’m there! 🙂
Lois
When pemberley.com had its AGM in England last summer, we got the History Wardrobe to do two of their presentations for us: The Georgian Domestic Goddess and (of course) Undressing Mr. Darcy. Here’s a picture: Mr. Darcy almost undressed