Kristine Hughes's Blog, page 47

A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – THE AUDLEY END KITCHEN GARDENS

by Kristine Hughes Patrone When I left you in the last post, our group had made our way to the Audley End Kitchen Garden for a tour with the gardener. The Kitchen Garden offers over 120 varieties of apples, 40 types of pears, 60 kinds of tomatoes plus many more fruits and vegetables. It also has an … Continue reading "A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – THE AUDLEY END KITCHEN GARDENS"

WIN A NUMBER ONE LONDON TOUR!

Congratulations to Karen Feder, lucky winner of a place on our English Country House Tour! Karen entered the raffle at the Barbara Vey Reader’s Weekend in Milwaukee on April 29th and will now be joining the tour group for an eight day tour of country houses in September. More chances to win a place on … Continue reading "WIN A NUMBER ONE LONDON TOUR!"

The History of the Country House Guidebook

by Louisa Cornell Anyone who writes romances set in Regency England must have a thorough knowledge of that quintessential piece of British architecture – the English country house. One of the best resources for the study of these monuments to old titles and often older money is the country house guidebook. They usually include photographs … Continue reading "The History of the Country House Guidebook"

A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – AUDLEY END

by Kristine Hughes Patrone Our next stop on the Visit Britain Familiarization Trip was Audley End, where we were able to tour the 1880’s servants wing and the gardens. I was thrilled to be able to see the extensive domestic offices, as Audley End is on the itinerary for Number One London’s 2018 Upstairs/Downstairs Country House … Continue reading "A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – AUDLEY END"

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT – LADIES OF LETTERS?

by Kristine Hughes Patrone Two British widows who met at a wedding trade letters in which they attempt to one-up each other with stories and events from their lives. Based on the iconic BBC radio show, this 10-part series stars Maureen Lipman (The Pianist) and Anne Reid (Last Tango In Halifax). The wedding of Irene’s … Continue reading "DO YOU KNOW ABOUT – LADIES OF LETTERS?"

A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – TOURING LEEDS CASTLE

by Kristine Hughes Patrone Following upon my last post, the video of our walk up to Leeds Castle and the welcome our travel trade group from Visit Britain received, this post contains photos representing just a bit of what we saw at the Castle. After being served Pimm’s Cups in the library upon our arrival, … Continue reading "A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – TOURING LEEDS CASTLE"

THE WELLINGTON CONNECTION – THE MARCHIONESS OF WORCESTER

Originally published May, 2014 The first quadrille was danced at Almack’s –  pictured are the Marquis of Worcester, Lady Jersey, Claronald Macdonald and Lady Worcester. The Duke of Wellington’s ties to the Marquis and Lady Worcester were fastened on both sides – Lord Worcester had served as an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington during … Continue reading "THE WELLINGTON CONNECTION – THE MARCHIONESS OF WORCESTER"

A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – THE WALK TO LEEDS CASTLE

by Kristine Hughes Patrone Our next stop on Visit Britain’s Familiarization Trip for members of the travel trade was Leeds Castle, which bills itself as “the loveliest Castle in the world.” There’s no denying that it answers every little girl’s requirements for a fairy tale castle, although on the day we visited Prince Charming was not … Continue reading "A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – THE WALK TO LEEDS CASTLE"

Treating Mental Illness During the Regency – Rotation Therapy

    The Treatments That Put the “Mad” in “Mad Doctor” by Louisa Cornell Many of the treatments used for mental illness during the Regency were heinous forms of torture perpetrated on people too vulnerable to protest. The believed causes of mental illness ranged from ill humors – imbalances in the blood – to congestion … Continue reading "Treating Mental Illness During the Regency – Rotation Therapy"

A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – PENSHURST PLACE

By Kristine Hughes Patrone The next stately home on our Familiarization Trip hosted by Visit Britain was Penshurst Place, a 14th century manor house owned by Lord and Lady De L’Isle. Penshurst Place has been owned by the Sidney family since 1552; after passing through the hands of two of Henry IV’s sons, followed by Henry … Continue reading "A TOUR GUIDE IN ENGLAND – PENSHURST PLACE"