National Trust Archive 2018

The Wimpole Estate near Cambridge

Our first visit of 2018 was to The Wimpole Estate near Cambridge. A very impressive Manor House with many interesting features. We were allowed to explore freely even ‘downstairs’ to the kitchens and laundry, which were just as they used to be!
We also explored the working farm which provides the produce for the estate and has three magnificent shire horses (my favourites) to do the hard work on the land.
Several of us were in the Piggery when suddenly the pigs started to jump up in their sty’s, making the most deafening noise as (unbeknown to us) it was almost feeding time!
There were various rare breeds of pigs, also cattle, chickens and other farm animals! Again we were free to roam at will!
The gardens were interesting and beautifully laid out and would be worth a repeat visit during Spring or Summer when in full bloom.  Captain and Elsie Bambridge bought the house in 1938 – Elsie was the daughter of Rudyard Kipling. Elsie lived in the house until her death in 1976 when she left the estate to the National Trust.   Claire Booth