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Wednesday 20 July 2011

A little bit of heaven on earth


Up in the Yorkshire Dales, just over the hill from Trollerdale (see yesterday) this lovely old manor house nestles into the hillside.  It's known as Parcevall Hall and was built as a farmhouse in about 1584.  Sensitively extended into a hall over the years, it became the home of Sir William Milner, who bequeathed it on his death in 1960 to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (an Anglo-Catholic shrine and place of pilgrimage in Norfolk).  Now leased by the Diocese of Bradford (Church of England) it is used as a conference and retreat centre.  I think it's one of the most beautiful places I know.

I have several times stayed here, both on retreat and running several training conferences (in my previous self-employed life).  It's a really peaceful, serene place. The old building is beautiful and full of lovely things.  I once slept in its grand four-poster bed - and some of the cast-iron Victorian baths are nearly big enough to swim in! (Sir William Milner was 6'7" tall so that perhaps explains the size of the baths.) The house is only open to guests but the extensive gardens are open to the public to enjoy.

13 comments:

  1. It certainly looks a very peaceful place; your photos nearly always seem to have balance, poise and serenity.

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  2. "Parceval" was the first word that caught my attention...What a fabulous place! I'd like to come and stay there for a while..

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  3. Now that really is lovely. I'd like a small version of that in my own garden :)

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  4. What a charming place to stay. I could handle retreating their anytime.

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  5. What a lovely estate ... I could pass the time there easily!

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  6. I share your attraction to this wonderful place. Everything about it appears to be calm and beautiful.

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  7. Peaceful is what I thought of too when I saw this!

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  8. Interesting. 1. there is the ghost from Trollerdale in the doorway. 2. I painted several watercolours from Little Walsingham. One hangs in our apartment of "The Black Lion". I put a sign outside telling prospective customers
    that they serve free beer....

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  9. Oh, yes -- very beautiful-- as is you pic of the Dales!

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  10. I would enjoy spending some time at this manor house retreat and in this garden. Lovely. [It's been a while since I was here, been busy moving house, but also I was under the impression you were taking a break from blogging... and I see you've been active... what did I misread?]

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  11. Oh wow, reading backwards I'm glad to see the rest of that place. A manor house retreat here must be like luxury for the soul. ~Lili

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