Last chance to see Shugborough Revisited and the newly opened private family kitchen!
For the first time ever, and for a limited time only, come and peek into the late Patrick Lichfield’s kitchen – housed within his private apartments. Open from 1st October, come and enjoy a nostalgic journey into an altogether more contemporary period - a time when fitted kitchens were an essential for every home, no matter how stately!
The late Patrick Lichfield’s private apartments were fitted out with an early 1980s Elizabeth Ann wooden kitchen – not dissimilar to those which graced many homes across the country over the last few decades. The private kitchen served Lord Lichfield’s many glamorous guests over the years and is dressed as though breakfast is being prepared, with crumbs on the bread board giving that authentic feel.
There’s also a Kenwood Chef – a must have item in kitchens of the period – original recipe books and an array of pickling and preserve making equipment on display. Lord Lichfield had a penchant for jams and had all his own preserves made for him using fruits grown on the estate.
The lived in feeling is complemented by a cupboard door lined with business cards and another kitchen “essential” – a cluttered junk drawer containing batteries, fuses, plugs and all those other things that you might find hidden away in household kitchens up and down the country.
With the kitchen, private apartments and Arboretum Island now open to the public alongside a stunning photographic exhibition, visitors to Shugborough can enjoy a fascinating insight into the life and lifestyle of the late Lord Lichfield.
Hurry though, as the kitchen and the private apartments are now only open until 28 October before being closed up until mid-March next year!
So to take a look this year or to find out more about what else is on offer at Shugborough visit www.shugborough.org.uk or telephone 0845 459 8900.
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Visitors flocking to see new attractions have contributed to a hugely successful first weekend of the season at Shugborough.
The historic country estate opened for the first time in 2011 on Friday 18 March. The weekend attracted 3,503 paying visitors, compared to 2,139 for the same weekend last year, an increase of almost 64 per cent.
New features include Shugborough Revisited featuring Patrick Lichfield’s private apartments, and his beautiful island arboretum.
County Councillor Pat Corfield, Cabinet Member responsible for Culture said: “Shugborough has always been in a jewel in the crown as a tourist attraction, but offers so much more this year.
“Shugborough Revisited gives visitors a completely new dimension to the estate – not only within the house but also in the grounds, which are among the most beautiful in Britain. The arboretum gives people views that have only ever been enjoyed by the Earls of Lichfield and close family and friends.
“With many families feeling the pinch Shugborough offers an even better value-for-money experience.
“I am delighted that the first weekend has been a success. We are looking forward to welcoming growing numbers of visitors from within the county and further afield.”
Other new attractions for 2011 include new galleries at the county museum.
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Lord Lichfield’s portrait studio was faithfully recreated last week within our exhibition galleries.
Photograph by Lichfield/copyright the Lichfield Archive
This studio was originally housed at Lichfield Studios in London and has been created using original equipment.
The equipment took a full day to assemble and the display and was done with the very kind help of Lord Lichfield’s friends from the Lichfield Archive. Photographer Iain Lewis, former photographic assistant to Lord Lichfield, travelled up from London to build the “set” and the end result is fabulous.
In addition we were pleased to mount the absolutely breathtaking Lichfield’s Shugborough exhibition.
The new set of images were all taken on the estate and many have never been on public display before.
The images include Olivia Newton-John, Mick Jagger, Joanna Lumley, the Walton sextuplets and many more.
the studio and images are open to the public from March 18.
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This week we have been entertaining our first visitors enjoying a sneak preview of the apartments.
The groups have largely come from the tourism community and group travel trade who will hopefuilly spread the word about our exciting project.
The reaction to the family rooms has been fantastic and everyone was delighted that we had managed to recreate the family home that the apartments once was.
The offical launch of the new exhibition and apartments will take place on March 17, when Councillor Phillip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council will offically open the new apartments.
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The apartment boasts the magnificent original plumbing system which was introduced in the early 20th century.
The bath taps and plugs really are something to admire! The servants had previously heated kettles of water on a servants’ quarters range and then lugged large numbers of them upstairs to make warm baths. I’m sure the maids thought the new plumbing was pretty amazing too.
In each guest bathroom Lord Lichfield had a sign entitled “The Origin of the Word Loo”. This told the story of one of his Shugborough ancestors, Lady Louisa (daughter of the first Earl).
It seems Lady Louisa was known for speaking out of turn and was not a well liked character. During a weekend party, the young Dukes of Abercorn became so fed up of her antics they decided to play a trick on her. They swapped her bedroom nameplate for the WC sign.
Thereafter the bathroom, became known as the Lady Lou. It is claimed this is where the modern word “loo” is derived from.
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Take a look at how we are getting on:
Here’s the Yellow Bedroom before Christmas.
Here’s the empty Lilac Bedroom
and here is the Four Poster Bedroom.
This is how they were looking last week (would you believe they look even better this week as more things have been added!)
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Some of the finest treasures in the country are being brought out of the Shugborough archives to be displayed in the newly opening private apartments
These include a large octagonal 18th century jardinière, four matching smaller jardinières and two large urns handcrafted from finest oriental gilt and enamel.
This stunning collection is said to have come to Shugborough from the summer palace in Peking and has never been put on display before.
The pieces will adorn furniture in the magnificent Bird Room.
Meissen vase
Other treasures being unveiled include stunning Meissen vases, a solid silver cigarette case awarded to Lord Lichfield’s grandfather for winning a Harrow School three-legged race and intricate sketches by artist Edwin Landseer.
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Here is a picture of the finished Green Sitting Room. This is part of a suite of four rooms which also includes the master bedroom, bathroom and dressing room.
The Green Sitting Room will open this March with the rest of the suite opening in 2012.
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Tucked away in a hidden corner of the mansion house was a beautiful oil painting of Viscount Anson’s wife, Anne Margaret.
She is probably our best-loved Anson lady, so she has this week been moved to take pride of place in the Green Sitting Room within the Earl’s Apartment.
Anne Margaret was an exceptionally talented artist in her own right and even had an exhibition at the Royal Academy. She trained under Gainsborough’s nephew and two of her most magnificent works in oil are displayed in the Red Drawing Room which is currently open to the public. We also have six watercolours of the Shugborough Estate that she painted. These have never been on display as a group before and are soon to be hung in the private apartments corridor.
Anne Margaret was daughter of Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester. He was a prime mover in the agricultural revolution and it is thought that it was with his advice and experience that Viscount Anson developed Shugborough into the complete working estate we see today.
She is also responsible for the most dainty and beautiful chairs in the house. She had these exquisite items specifically designed to be low backed, hard and uncomfortable to encourage her husband’s friends not to overstay their welcome longer than necessary.
It is an absolute delight to be able to display Anne Margaret’s painting in a place which befits the lady of the house perfectly.
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Following the Christmas break, it is now full steam ahead with the private apartments’ development.
Yesterday the carpets were cleaned and the last of the re-decoration work is now taking place meaning we can get going with picture hanging and fully refurnishing.
Just before Christmas we managed to do a bit of work on the green sitting room (part of the Earl’s bedroom suite). This is now almost complete and really looks lived in once again.
Items we’ve added to bring the room to life include newspapers and magazines pre-dating Patrick Lichfield’s death and a couple of dog balls beside an armchair – remembering that Lord Lichfield was rarely seen at home without his loyal companion, Drum, by his side.
I shall write more about the green sitting room and add some images on the next blog.
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