Those who were expecting Part II of my camping saga will have to wait until next week. A nasty cold virus has temporarily rendered my little grey cells incapable of holding onto a thought long enough to do justice to the tale. Instead, I shall try a new post format and share with you a visit Mr. H and I made to Great Chalfield Manor last June.

The BBC series Wolf Hall shone a spotlight on many of the National Trust properties used as locations for the filming. Among those properties was Great Chalfield Manor, a 15th Century manor house which was used as the home of Thomas Cromwell.

Great Chalfield Manor sits in the midst of peaceful countryside, accessed by a narrow one-track lane. Entrance to the manor house is by timed tour, and photographs of the interior are not allowed. For those you will need to tune into Wolf Hall.

The gardens, however, are a photographer’s dream, and we wandered contentedly along the terraces and pathways in the warm, rose-scented June sunshine. Bees buzzed in the lush flower borders, swans floated serenely in the fish pond behind the house, and children played on the wide, flat lawn.

The tea shop was housed in one of the former stable buildings, with the residents of the current stable peering over their stall doors nearby. It was a friendly, informal affair operated on the honor system. For about £1.50, placed in a box, you could select one of the baked goodies and a tea bag to make your own cup of tea, then seat yourself at one of the long rows of tables indoors, our outside in the sunshine. It was quite pleasantly relaxed, and contributed to the feeling of being removed from the world at large for the brief period of time we wandered around this delightful property.

If ever you find yourself in this corner of Wiltshire you should make time to include a visit to Great Chalfield Manor.