Anglesey: curiosities, oddities and objets d’arts (Part 1)

The idea to visit Anglesey yesterday was completely impromptu: usually we discuss and plan our trips, even around Cambs, quite thoroughly, but yesterday the weather was so lovely that we decided to “go places.” Most of the time it means to walk around all the familiar spots (Trumpington, Grantchester, the river bank around Fen Ditton), but suddenly we both had a thought: why not Anglesey Abbey? We haven’t been there since 2016, and I never got a chance to see the art collection of the mansion itself.

To get to the place is somewhat tricky if you, like me, don’t cycle (and profoundly hate it) and you don’t have a car; there are only two options left—either you walk (it’s about 7,5 miles, or 9 km from our house: not too bad, but if you take into account walking around Anglesey itself, which is vast, it’s getting a bit harder) or you take a bus. Note to self: Stagecoach buses are rare (one in an hour), but fairly reliable. You have to take 11 (Newmarket service) and get off at Lode, the village where Anglesey is located.

Once in there, don’t hesitate and go to the mansion as its visiting hours are quite limited: the entry is at 2 p.m. But when you are inside, you will completely forget about the time as the art collection of the Anglesey house is enormous: in my opinion, it can be compared with my beloved Audley End House & Gardens and also with Oxburgh Hall (near Kings Lynn) and lovely Felbrigg Hall in North Norfolk.

The large part of the collection consists of Elizabethan and Regency paintings, two libraries, sculptures (including mediaeval French pieces), embroideries and tapestries; among the main curiosities are Chinese-themed automaton clocks and Chinoiserie lamps. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, a freshly restored miniature of Constable (“Summer Evening, St Mary’s Church in Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk”) and his large painting, the “Embarkation of George IV from Whitehall: The opening of Waterloo Bridge, 1817” are put on display for the public.

The park is a marvel of its own, but I’ll post more photos of it later on as people are getting tired of lots of images uploaded at once. So, to be continued.