We drove on, bypassing Short and Medium Melford, arriving before lunch at Long Melford, to see the Hall there and also the 5-star Long Melford parish church. The Hall was an Elizabethan treat, and a greater treat for us was its association with Beatrix Potter, whom we know as a writer and illustrator of classic children's books, but also as one of the earliest and most important supporters of the National Trust. She was a shrewd businesswoman, had some means, and a vision, and married the very sharp lawyer who assisted her.
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| Long Melford Hall |
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| Drawing room |
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| Charter, granted by Queen Mary, Henry VIII's daughter |
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Auction of Long Melford at Christie's (yes, that Christie's),
1785; not all the great houses stay in the same family for
centuries |
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Beatrix Potter was a family friend/relative who visited often and drew inspiration
from Long Melford |
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When Long Melford became a military site in WWII, the family stayed with
Potter in her home in the Lake District; great lady |
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Famous picture of herself sleeping in the four poster bed; note position of the
tail, thought thus to amuse the children |
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| The four poster bed |
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| More Potteriana |
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| A gate house, which in much later years was used as a party house |
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| More Potter |
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The usual National Trust garden shop (not pictured: all the other usual National Trust
stuff, shoppes, services, etc.) |
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Another pleasant visit, and, as I said, not without the usual pleasant surprise or
connection |
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