The tail-end of Summer always has that 'back-to-school' feel to it and the shift in seasons brings the chance to review the year's progress and focus on plans for the fresh 'term' ahead. Making the most of such beautiful weather I visited the fabulous Parham House and Gardens, situated near Pulborough in West Sussex. This special place has been a family home since the building first began in 1577. The leaflet you're given on arrival states how "Its beauty and peace have changed little over the centuries." I think Parham has a wonderful atmosphere which supports Simon Jenkins' quote: "Nothing at Parham is superfluous, nothing unloved. It is a house of magic". He awarded Parham five stars, placing it in his Top 20 of "England's Thousand Best Houses".
This week, the gardens were a jewel-box of floral splendour:
The vibrant colours of all the flowers, foliage and trees really seemed to pop with the incredibly blue sky overhead. There was the buzzing hum of insects busy about their work and a light perfume of the last of the Summer blooms filled the air.
Visiting Parham had been a spontaneous decision and although I live just a 20-minute drive away I had not been for a few years. Re-visiting the house was a treat and I particularly loved seeing the beautiful flowers in all the rooms. The tradition of having an abundance of flowers from the Garden to decorate the House was originally started in the 1920's.
I'm so pleased I took time to really savour being at Parham. It truly is an enchanting and inspiring place to be, full of wonderful stories and living history. A place away from any hustle and an ideal location to enjoy a long moment of calm.
