As I said earlier the crowds were bigger than I expected and I was lucky to find lodging for 2 more days in the nearby village of Bowness-on-Windermere the first night as my initial stay was booked and I needed a couple of more days in the area. It was only a short but scenic walk a little over a mile. The day being warm and dry I dropped the kit and headed to Blackwell House. I confess the name made me look it up but then the information about it, excepting why it is so named other than a nearby black well? made me want to go there. All in all it turned out to be a nearly 7 mile day.
This house was not unique among the many I saw on my wander.
And these guys are like pigeons in some parts they are so numerous.
There are other buildings with the name Blackwell attached such as this commercial one all near the main house. I presume they were all part of the original holdings
But this building designed in the Arts and Crafts style by Baillie Scott. It was built 1898–1900, as a holiday home for Sir Edward Holt, a wealthy Manchester brewer. Ok that must be the connection: beer!
It helps perspective to recall this is a “summer cottage” not Holt’s main residence.
It reminded me of the style of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh the Glasgow genius. This piano is a great example of Baillie Scot’s work. The hinged doors allowed the closed paino to blend seamlessly into the room.
And what a room!
The individual chairs are off-limits to weary folk but each rooms seems to have cushioned nooks where one can rest and contemplate the creative woodworking. Often as alcoves near a hearth.
Note the hammered copper light shades under which was originally a billiards table, focal point for the hall.
The detail is exquisite.
And the wallpaper wasn’t paper at all but rather hessian, a form of jute woven fabric (from Dundee perhaps?) and then block printed
The windows fit the room
And allow light to almost sneak in
A mezzanine is tucked up a flight of stairs and overlooks the hall
With such a low seat I could imagine how it would feel to stretch ones legs out
Even the wall lamp is art
As are the window latches.
And instead of the common ceiling lights these were built in with lead framing.
The back is the perfect angle with arms wide enough for a snifter.
These steps smack of the Glasgow School
6.92m
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nice. where’s the beer cellar? :]