Stripped Out

I visited Barrington Court recently, a National Trust property near Ilminster in Somerset.  It is, to my mind, unique and delightful in this uniqueness: there is no furniture.  The interior of the house has been stripped out and laid bare.

On a blazing hot summer's day a friend and I wandered around echoing halls of rooms where the space could really be appreciated.  There was no queuing, no ropes cordoning us off from anything remotely interesting and best of all, no drawn blinds over the lead-paned and in places unevenly-glassed windows.  Barrington Court was filled with sunshine from all angles and was truly being displayed in its best light.

If you want a history of the place I suggest you visit the National Trust Website because I'm not about to repeat it here.  But the Trust seems undecided about what it wants to do with this, its first (and nearly its last!) gem of a purchase.

Some people, unprepared, might feel cheated at the lack of usual Trust Fare - antique or otherwise valuable furniture, glassy-eyes mounted stags' heads and Do Not Touch signs at boringly regular intervals.  But for those who like a feeling of indoor space, quality wooden panelling, acres of unadorned oak floors and wonderful ceilings - particularly that in the entrance hall - this is a refreshing change from the bog-standard Trust Property.

They've got recordings in various rooms of activities that might have taken place there: a hog-roasting in the kitchen had the spit being turned by some obviously struggling lads and in the once-derelict galleries you'll hear owls calling.  A cleverly-timed trigger sets a bakelite telephone ringing as one approaches. (Yes, I answered it, but there was nobody there)  The idea of a sound museum is a good one but not fully explored by the Trust here as yet.

Personally I loved the whole thing and filled out my questionnaire accordingly. As to what the Trust could use Barrington Court for, if the idea of a beautiful empty shell doesn't take off, well, if you'd care to visit and offer your opinion, I think it would be welcome.

Once outside again, the grounds are classic Trust - green meadows where cows rest under oak trees - beautifully kept walled flower gardens and an extensive kitchen garden. One could see where the fresh vegetables came from for the excellent lunches they serve in what was once an old stable block.

It was a day well spent, but if you are lucky enough to visit on a wall-to-wall sunshine day, get a parking space in the overflow car park where there is a least some shade.

The image above comes to you courtesy of the camera of The Baggster, whose Blog may be found here: http://baggytales.blogspot.com/