When we visited Newark Park last year we decided to make a quick stop on the way home to visit somewhere we’d seen signs for so many times over the years. It was time to spend some time exploring Lodge Park in Gloucestershire. In fact we were really glad we visited as we now have plans to visit the large Sherborne estate and complete some of the suggested walks.
Exploring Lodge Park itself is only possible on certain days from March to October and as I’d said it’s somewhere we’ve often drive close to, but never actually stopped to look around.
Lodge Park is actually a grade I listed building and is the only surviving 17th century grandstand in England. It was originally built for visitors to the Sherborne estate to stand and marvel at the thrill of the chase as deer coursing took place. Then in the 19th century it was turned into a house, nothing much remains internally of the original building sadly.
On better days you can actually access the roof but on the day we decided to spend time exploring Lodge Park it had been snowing and then raining. The roof was closed due to the weather conditions but we still enjoyed our visit.
Although the original fittings for the internal rooms of Lodge Park are long gone, it’s still an interesting place to look around and imagine what might have been as guests would have arrived for a day of sporting viewing from the terrace.
We were told that when some renovations were taking place a lower floor was discovered which included a kitchen.
We were all eager to see out onto the terrace, even on a cold and rather miserable day.
The weather might have let us down but we still managed to admire the view and look into the distance as the gentry must have done long ago.
Exploring Lodge Park showed us that there’s something of interest to be found everywhere, even in the smallest of places.
Should you decide to spend time exploring Lodge Park when it re-opens we can thoroughly recommend the cakes in the small cafe and there are also toilets at the rear of the property.
It is so nice to stop off sometimes at places you often pass isn’t it? #countrykids
Yes, it was nice to finally see what it was like.
Lodge Park looks like an interesting place to explore. Those views from the terrace are beautiful – what a wonderful spot it must have been to stand and watch the deer from. It’s a shame the roof was closed on the day you visited though. Thanks for sharing with #CountryKids
It was somewhere a little different from the norm
Looks like a sweet place, and certainly somewhere to get that connection with times gone by! x #CountryKids
Very true
Discovering a new place can be rather fun. It’s a shame that some of these beautiful properties are almost just a shell these days. #CountryKids
It is, but good to see something of it at least
Another unusual and memorable day out. These old hunting lodges are fascinating and perfectly placed for viewing the ‘sport’. We visited one in Wiltshire on a similar damp day a few years ago. You took some good pics despite the weather, and those indoor ovens are fab. Thanks for sharing with us at #CountryKids
They are an interesting throw back to a different era aren’t they.
I’ve been there a couple of times when they still did the deerhound racing (no deer or other animals involved) It is such a grand setting. Lovely atmosphere, but your photos encourage me to go back and explore on a quieter day. I’ve not even been inside!
That sounds intriguing, i’d definitely like to go back and explore some more.