This was my first ever visit to Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire, which is managed by the National Trust. The hall was built in the early 18th century by a wealthy family, and it replaced an earlier home. It was lived in by various members of the family until the mid-1900s, and it was then rented to tenants. The style of Christmas decorations are from the 1970s and 1980s, and this is an ode to the tenants of that time who threw lavish parties throughout the year.
The manor house is a red brick building and described as being Queen Anne in style. It contains an orangery and formal gardens in the grounds.
The first piece of 1970s and 1980s popular culture is located at the front of the house with the Rubik's Cube planters holding miniature Christmas trees.
Inside the house is the main hall or reception area, and this room has the "wow factor". Off to the left is a grand staircase with floor-to-ceiling (including ceiling) paintings depicting scenes from mythology. For Christmas, the centrepiece is the Christmas tree, covered in blue and red and decorated for the cinema. The decorations are varous props from films and television series of that time: "Ghostbusters", "Indiana Jones", "A Clockwork Orange", "Knight Rider", and so on.
To the left in the room is the grand fireplace and a lot of party decorations, including a 1970s-style bar, Babycham drinks, and more.
The room on the left of the grand entrance is a small sitting room or lounge area. There are many games and toys from the 1970s and 1980s to look at under the tree and also in a cabinet along one side of the room.
The room on the right of the entrance hall is a larger living room or parlour, and an old television was set up playing "Only Fools and Horses". The room had the curtains drawn to appear as if it were evening.
The room next door is the dining room, and this room was set out with 1970s and 1980s party food and party decor with bright pink Christmas trees and colourful decorations. The sweets and packaging of items were all vintage 1970s and 1980s, so it was like a step back in time.
The upstairs was also open, so after exploring the ground floor, I ventured upstairs to have a look.
The first room at the top of the stairs was a bedroom set out to appear unmade, as if the occupant had retreated from the party a little worse for wear, leaving hat and shoes and drinks glasses to the side with thrown-off clothing.
In a room next door, a temprary mattress remained on the floor with plenty of magazines, dresses, and posterboards. This is a girls room dating from the 1980s.
Another room was the room for the smaller children, and it was dark inside but filled with toys.
The last bedroom was decorated as if occupied by a teenage boy with a love of music.
After exploring the house, I went into the kitchens, which are located at the ground floor of the house and serve as the cafe and tearoom today. A Christmas tree greeted at the entrance, and 1970s and 1980s cook book and other items were scattered about.
I had a hot chocolate.
The formal gardens have even had a makeover with each triangular conifer tree having a silver or gold bauble placed on top of it.
I aso explored the second-hand bookstore, which is located off the formal gardens. It has the best second-hand bookstore at the National Trust that I've been to so far. I ended up finding a lot of books on my list, and there were plenty more that I wanted but could not carry. Inside the bookstore was another Christmas tree with a beautiful fireplace and Christmas display of books.
I did not walk around the larger part of the gardens because there's not too much to see at this time of the year, but I do plan to return to Hanbury Hall again during the summer so that i can see the gardens and have a longer walk around the area.
I really liked the Christmas theme of this house, and I thought that it was all done really well and is a beautiful property. It is always a treat to see the National Trust properties and houses decorated.
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