Lanhydrock, Cornwall
I’m a little late with my bluebell pictures, being so busy with preparations for the Royal Cornwall show but I’m now getting around to processing some more of the images taken when Poppy visited, a few weeks ago. Following our shoot at Godrevy and St Ives, a quieter day was in order so we made a trip to Lanhydrock, a few miles from where I live, to photograph the bluebells..
Lanhydrock house stands in extensive grounds (360 hectares or 890 acres) above the River Fowey and it has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1953. Much of the present house dates back to Victorian times but some sections date from the 1620s. It is a Grade I listed building and is set in gardens with formal areas. The hill behind the house is planted with a fine selection of shrubs and trees.
The Lanhydrock estate belonged to the Augustinian priory of St Petroc at Bodmin but the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the 1530s saw it pass into private hands. In 1620 a wealthy merchant Sir Richard Robartes acquired the estate and began building Lanhydrock House, designed to a four-sided layout around a central courtyard and constructed of grey granite. Robartes died in 1624 but work on the building was continued by his son John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor, a notable public figure who served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord President of the Council.
During the 18th century the east wing of the house was demolished leaving the U-shaped plan seen today. In 1881 a major fire destroyed the south wing and caused extensive damage to the central section. Of the main house only the north wing, with its 29 m Long Gallery, and the front porch building survived intact, though the original gatehouse also dates back to the mid 17th century. New sections were built behind the south wing, including a kitchen block, in the style of the original building – which was unusual at the time.
Click on any of the images for a clearer sharper view. I hope you enjoy the post :-)
14mm f/2.8 1/1600 sec. ISO-100
70mm f/2.8 1/250 ISO-100
70mm f/2.8 1/500 sec. ISO-100
44mm f/22 1/13 sec. ISO-100
70mm f/2.8 1/160 sec. ISO-100
20mm f/11 1/100 sec. ISO-100
Cornwall Photographic 
I don’t think you can be late with bluebells, Adrian…I can enjoy them anytime. Beautiful images…. :)
June 15, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Thank you Scott! Happy you enjoyed the pictures! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Last picture…. simply WOW!! So beautiful! :)
June 15, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Thank you Trish! Glad you enjoyed that one. There are lots of paths around the gardens, each one a pleasure to explore! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Interesting to see another part of the world. Lanhydrock estate.
June 15, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Thank you Bumba, it’s a fabulous place to visit! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Excellent series, I love it !! Greetings
June 15, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Thank you very much Isabel. I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Bluebells are such a delightful flower, but sadly not seen where I live in Australia :( Love the control and colour blend of the impressionistic image.
June 15, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Thank you Lee. They are a lovely flower. Sorry you don’t have them. The impressionistic shot was a bit of fun that turned out quite well I think! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Yes indeed!
June 16, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Great photo’s. De blue bells are in march coloring all the woods
June 15, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Thank you Lou! They are very beautiful! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Beautiful series Adrian, the bluebells macro shot is wonderful, and I really like the movement shot in the series ~ it fits perfectly.
June 16, 2014 at 2:56 am
Thanks Randall. I used a flashlight on the bluebell to create greater contrast between the flower and the background. A cheap and simple solution :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Fantastic, nothing better than when cheap and simple works so well.
June 17, 2014 at 12:16 am
Really stunning photos of this beautiful place, Adrian. We were so impressed when we were there last August, but to visit it at bluebell time, must be the ultimate experience. Yes, I did enjoy this post, very much. :)
June 16, 2014 at 7:18 am
Thank you Sylvia. I thought you had visited when you were here. There is something to admire in the gardens all year round. The National Trust does a very good job! :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Yes, it was really lovely when we were there too. I should look my pics out and do a post one day.
June 17, 2014 at 7:19 am
That would be good Sylvia! :-)
June 17, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Wonderfully idyllic and dreamy! Gorgeous work, Adrian.
June 16, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Thank you Karen. Lanhydrock is a lovely place to visit. We found a few quiet paths and it really was a lovely atmosphere. :-)
June 16, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Hi,
Lovely bluebell pics. Will make lovely greetings cards. X x x
Sent from my iPad
>
June 16, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Thanks Mum! I’ve used one of these pictures for the new range. :-)x
June 16, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Una Seir Impresionante… Muy Buen Colorido… Una Gran Serie… Saludos.
June 16, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Muchas gracias José, su comentario es muy apreciada como siempre.
June 17, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Beautiful images, I always make time to visit Lanhydrock when I get a chance to go home.
June 16, 2014 at 7:30 pm
It’s a nice place to spend a day that’s for sure. Thank you Ben!
June 17, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Fantastic! That slow shutter speed impressionistic image was particularly spectacular.
June 16, 2014 at 8:57 pm
Thank you Phil, it’s fun to have a little play with the camera sometimes. The results can be quite interesting. :-)
June 17, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Oh that green carpet of lawn!
June 17, 2014 at 10:35 am
Fabulous isn’t it. I would miss the very green gardens and countryside if I were to live in a drier climate. We moan about the rain but it does keep this island very green which is worth appreciating! :-)
June 17, 2014 at 3:58 pm
A beautiful serie!
June 18, 2014 at 6:15 am
Thank you very much Hans!
June 19, 2014 at 10:13 pm
I recall that colourful day so well ChillB …. the bluebells were a stunning sight through the woodlands down along those steep paths …hmm I seem to remember you mentioned perhaps a new ‘accessibility’ map should be drawn after our visit ;-)
It’s an impressive place indeed , there really are some lovely NT properties down in Cornwall .
However … I think a venture over the border perhaps to Castle Drogo and Hay Tor must surely be on the to do list next time :-)
June 18, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Thank you very much Poppy. I think that would indeed be a lovely trip next time. Yes, we certainly made the most of the wheelchair. Surprises me every time just what it seems to be able to handle in terms of rough terrain and gradient. Gets a little bit scary when the wheelchair pitches at some of the angles I’ve had it at lately but I’ve not been thrown out or turned over yet.. :-)x
June 19, 2014 at 10:15 pm
The Lanhydrock estate is really impressive. And so are your pictures from the estate. Those bluebells are so beautiful in all the variations, but my favourite is no doubt the long exposure time and blurred one. Delightful!
June 19, 2014 at 1:20 am
Thank you Otto. That particular photo was just a bit of fun that when processed turned out to be rather nice I thought. :-)
June 19, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Only goes to show that sometimes not having control is the best.
June 19, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Very beautiful scenes.
June 22, 2014 at 4:32 am
Thank you Shimon, it’s a beautiful estate. :-)
June 22, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Very beautiful photos!
June 23, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Thank you very much! :-)
June 23, 2014 at 4:52 pm