With Somerset District Council no longer running Dillington House from the end of September 2023, I wanted to share some photos of the interior. I thought I would include some photos I took some years ago on an Anglo-Saxon course. The tutors brought with them the replica helmet, weaponry and finds based on the objects found in the Sutton Hoo burial. The originals are in the British Museum.
The main contender for the Sutton Hoo burial is King Raewald of East Anglia, who died in circa 625.
Paul Mortimer as King Raedwald – tea and cake in the Hanning Room. At 4pm everything stopped for tea and cake.
Paul Mortimer as King Raedwald – tea and cake in the Hanning Room.
Looking from the Hanning Room into the hall. In the hall can just see the curtains and comfortable chairs and sofas that were in place for many years (replaced in the Pandemic years).
Hall – opposite entrance. I have sat around this fire in the autumn and winter over the years, turning with minor irritation as someone came through the entrance door, bringing a blast of cold air.
Hall: the furnishings were changed in the Pandemic years. The bar was also moved from the room just by it on the left into the hall.
A screen with the 3 openings that echoes what the old house is likely to have had.
The room that was the bar for many years. The doorway leads to the dining room.
The dining room with an ornate plaster ceiling. Nowadays has a more permanent ‘wedding’ layout. For many years it was separate tables and courses were allocated a table or two. The ‘wedding chair design’ coming from the Strawberry Hill precedent. Used to be high-backed brown leather chairs.
Dining room with doorway into the hall.
Dining room view across the garden. Faces east and there are two small but tall windows in the corners through which one can step out into the garden.
Hall Windows. There is a very similar glazing bar scheme at Montacute House on the south stair. I don’t have a great picture, but here is something to show the evidence:
Glazing bars on the south stair at Montacute.
Hanning Room.
Hanning Room Fireplace.
Library. The orangery doors on the left.
Library looking towards the Hanning Room.
The Orangery.
First Floor Landing Sign.
Basin in my favourite loo on the first floor.
First floor landing looking down the stairs.
I have many happy memories from my 25 years of attending courses and talks at Dillington House.