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| Shaw’s Corner |
“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”
– Shaw, George Bernard –
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| Photo of Kitchen implements at George Bernard Shaw’s Home |
The perfect day ~ a crispy, sunny and clear autumn day with no ties, no work or other menial restrictions…..a late breakfast cooked by my daughter, whilst I drift about her flat in my bedtime attire…..time to catch up on my social media chats and look at friend’s blog posts, whilst an outdoor trip is discussed, debated and planned. We are all National Trust members in my family and the day’s trip has been planned, we are going to Shaw’s Corner, the home of George Bernard Shaw for more than 40 years, and only half an hours drive away from us in the pretty little village of Ayot St.Lawrence.
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| Windfall apples on offer in The Garden at Shaw’s Corner |
The drive is wonderful, my daughter has an old Mini Cooper and we meander down narrow country lanes with the sun dancing through dappled trees……glimpses of idyllic country cottages peep through the tall hedgerows and horse and their riders hack gently along the lanes…….time appears to have slowed down to 10 miles an hour, and the willow hamper creaking on the back seat reminds us of carefully prepared sandwiches, freshly made biscuits and buttery pastry pies……for the picnic we will enjoy later.
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| A tea time table set out in the kitchen |
We finally arrive at Shaw’s Corner, a little car park is tucked to one side and a friendly and helpful lady is there to tell is were to go….we approach the house and admire it’s Arts and Crafts design ~ it is modest and unassuming with ivy and other climbers covering some of the walls ~ the entrance is warm and cosy and several rooms radiate off to all sides with a staircase to the upper floors……there is a cosy sitting room with comfortable chintz armchairs and a study with book lined walls and an old typewriter; the dining room has an array of photos of famous people on the mantelpiece, whilst the museum room has Shaw’s Oscar in a glass cabinet, awarded to him for his work on the play Pygmalion……there is definitely an aura of the great man around the house.
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| The Dining Room |
His bedroom is fascinating with glimpses of his attire peeping out from the wardrobe and stout walking shoes poking out from under and Arts and Craft’s chest of drawers….his dressing gown is thrown carelessly on the bed as if the he will walk in and don it at any moment. The kitchen is fitted with a late Victorian cooking range whilst the walls are covered with plate racks……a set of wonderful blue and white dinner plates adorn one rack……and rustic earthenware food containers are lined up along the dresser….
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| Food Containers and Plates in the Kitchen |
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| The Cooking Range in the Kitchen |
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| Sturdy shoes under an old chest of drawers |
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| Comfortable armchairs in the sitting room |
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| Part of the Sitting Room |
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| A George Bernard Shaw Cape in the Wardrobe |
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| A Shaw Statue in the Garden |
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| The Woodland Walk to the rear of the house |
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| The rear of the House from the Garden |
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| A notice about Shaw’s Vegetarianism in the vegetable garden |
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| The Picnic Bench! |
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METHOD: Heat the oven to GM6/200’C/400’F.
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| Jug in the Kitchen |
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
What a lovely day! If ever you find yourself in Lincolnshire, do come and say hi at Gunby Hall. It's a very secret National Trust property but well worth the visit. Cx
Marie says
I love the National Trust places. We have been members for a long time now and do so enjoy visiting all of their properties. Their cookery books are fantastic as well. Can't wait to see your crisp! I am sure it will be lovely! xxoo
PS have you been to Erddig? It's quite near to us and fascinating!
A Trifle Rushed says
What a super day, I do love looking around kitchens in National Trust properties. Like Dom and Marie I must speak up for my local property Ham House, it's wonderful.
Jacqueline says
What a lovely day out. I did enjoy looking inside the house 🙂
Annie says
Oh, I do love a days potter around an interesting house and garden. And a picnic is of course essential. Thank you for taking us with you Karen x
Brownieville Girl says
Great post Karen – sounds like a wonderful day.
La Table De Nana says
So interesting:) Thank you.
I like the idea of the amarettis in the crisp too.
Corina says
What a great dessert for this time of year. I love the use of the amaretti biscuits.
Lizzie Dunford says
Glad you enjoyed your day here at Shaw's Corner so much. The house looks so beautiful in your pictures! Come and see us again in the springtime!
Lizzie Dunford
Assistant House Steward
Shaw's Corner
Thrifty Household says
That was an unexpected trip down memory lane for me. Shaw's Corner is pretty close to my parents' house. Unfortunately as with all things local, you don't visit as much as you should. So Thank you for the virtual tour/reminder!
Janice says
What a wonderful house, I could move in tomorrow! Thanks for sharing your travels XXX
Kentish Keg-Meg says
Have been here but not for some while so thank you for the tour. Great cooking range but must have been a pain to clean and polish.Like the way the rooms looked lived in and you can imagine GBS coming back into the house. I am a National Trust member and love to visit their properties.
Karen S Booth says
Thanks for all of your comments ~ I have been out again today, and am behind with replies!
Karen
Lauren says
The National Trust is so awesome! I love George Bernard Shaw's work and it makes me so happy to see that he lived in such a cute house. Thanks for the virtual tour!!!