Day Trip: Knole House (and a little bit of Sherlock Holmes)

We (ok, maybe I) have a slight obsession with the National Trust. It's an organization/charity started by three Victorian philanthropists in 1895 to 'act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside, and buildings.' They oversee the properties of more than 350 British estates and houses, gardens, and monuments. And, everything they are in charge of is AMAZING. So, we bought the full book of National Trust houses, and many of them intersect country walks or coincide with what our day-trip book recommends, too.

So, last weekend, we weren't quite sure we were up for a full-day country walk, but rather decided to take the train to one of the National Trust houses, and we picked Knole House. The book recommended seeing this beautiful estate and property in the fall, which is surrounded by hundreds of deer that allow you to get within a few feet of them before darting away.

built by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486

Queen Elizabeth I took control of the house during her reign and gave it to the Sackville family, who has owned it for over 400 years (wow!)...

the estate is surrounded by a 1,000-acre deer park...

beautiful, beautiful English countryside...

When we first arrived at the house, we were a bit disappointed at the site of what appeared to be an event tent, etc... we didn't want it to block our view and pictures! But, then as we walked through the entrance, we realized maybe it was ok, as it wasn't an event crew, but a film crew setting up for the filming very soon of Sherlock Holmes 2! Wish the actors had been there that day, but we did see the fake snow and the green screens... this home is supposed to be a Swiss fortress in the movie, as the sign says below...

film trucks

inside one of the inner courtyards/'Swiss fortress' (for Robert Downing Jr. and Jude Law in 'Sherlock Holmes 2'!)

There was tons of beautiful art/architecture inside, but we would've gotten an English slap on the wrist by the tour guides if we'd taken pictures, so we didn't.

We can't wait to visit some more National Trust houses! Come with us!

Happy Fall!

Love, The Rubys

PS--Great book rec: 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters. I just finished this with the American Women's Club book club group. FANtastic. A captivating throw-back to 'Great Expectations.' Don't read it with the lights off... it's a little mysterious, suspenseful, and ghostly... but, READ IT! (Big D book club -- hint-hint!) :)

PSS--Go Baylor and Rangers!!