Kingston Lacy

Today we decided to take the one and a half hour drive to visit Kingston Lacy, a country house and estate near Wimborne Minster, Dorset. From the 17th to the late 20th centuries it was the family seat of the Bankes family, who had previously resided nearby at Corfe Castle until its destruction in the English Civil war after Sir John Bankes and Dame Mary joined the side of Charles I.

Kingston Lacy has an outstanding art collection which includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Titian and has the largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts in the UK.

In the eyes of an eight year old and a nearly 4 year old it was really fun and full of colourful things!

Truly it was interesting to see how the other half lived and to realise how much easier life must have been to have been born into nobility - and being male also seemed to help!

The house was also full of paintings acquired by William Bankes during his years travelling in Spain between 1812 and 1814 and artefacts collected by him when he journeyed through Syria to Petra.

What was particularly fun were the children's rooms which were decorated as tents and contained a hands on display of contemporary children's toys. It was intersting trying to explain to both kids that this was it, no television and children were to be seen but not heard (don't know how this would work in our house!)

The grounds were magnificent and we wandered through woodlands and a purpose built Japanese garden. Also on display was the Egyptian Obelisk obtained by William John Banks when he travelled extensively in the early 1800s.

After taking in our fill of history we turned our attention to lunch. Nathan had checked ahead in the Good Pub's Guide so we headed to the village of Shroton to the 'Cricketers' only to find it fully booked. Not to be put off we drove to a neighbouring village only to find 'The Crown' which was closing down today. On we drove to the 'Half Moon' in Shaftesbury only to find it also fully booked. So much for the county of Dorset! As soon as we re-entered Wiltshire we followed signs down narrow winding country lanes to the 'Fox and Hounds' and at last found success!! Following a very much appreciated lunch we headed on home.