The Guild of Freemen of the City of London

The Master and Senior Past Master enjoy coffee at Ham House
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Pre-lunch drinks at The Petersham
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The Master in the Isabella Plantation
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Visits to Ham House and Richmond Park

17 May 2006

On two consecutive Wednesdays, 10th and 17th May, parties of about 30 Guild members and their guests spent a delightful day in the Richmond area.

The first port of call was the fascinating Ham House, a grand and sumptuous residence built in the early 17th Century beside the River Thames. After refreshments served in the Orangerie beside the charming ornamental gardens, the party was taken on a guided tour of the house itself. The architecture, fixtures, furnishings, paintings and other treasures all portray the house as it was built and lived-in in the 17th Century and in conjunction with the beautifully maintained gardens, and they undoubtedly invite a return visit.

From Ham House Guild members and their guests moved to the renowned Petersham Hotel, with its stunning views over the water meadows and meandering river Thames adjacent to Ham House. A delicious lunch in a wonderful setting revived everyone for their afternoon tour of ther Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park.

The Isabella Plantation encompasses a little over 40 acres of beautifully tended and presented gardens, filled with azalias, camelias, heathers, rhododendrons and a stunning variety of other trees and plants (including the amazing 'handkerchief' tree) - most of which are at their very best in mid May. For the ornothologists, the variety of species of birds found there is equally exciting - even if a little more fleeting! All in all, the guided tour through the plantation brought this happy day to a highly colourful conclusion.