Today was a quiet one so I spent some time wandering around, taking snaps and reading plaques about the history of this place.
The estate has been here for over 500 years, with the Pembroke’s, a famous circus family, acquiring it in the early 1800s. A nutty spinster by the name of Lady Annabelle, fascinated by the oddities and quirks of the family, bequeathed the estate to the Pembrokes on her deathbed.
By the late nineteenth century, circuses fell out of favour with the general public and the family nearing retirement, but now with a stable home for their extended family, decided to transform the estate into a menagerie.
There’s a proud peacock who promenades around, every so often letting out a scream like he’s been stabbed.
Lady Pembroke, the great granddaughter of the original owners, manages the menagerie these days.
There’s a proud peacock who promenades around, every so often letting out a scream like he’s been stabbed; an old Asian elephant named Ming; and monkeys that swing free from the treetops.
There’s something magic about this place. It almost feels sacred.
Beatrix Butterworth 