My Get Pushed challenge this week came from Francoise who asked me to photograph an interior as if it were for a home decorating magazine. My own home was obviously out as it's very much lived in! I did see adverts for show homes and caravan show homes but felt uncomfortable visiting those as I had no intention of buying. So I thought I'd visit the Duke of Wellington's former residence, Walmer Castle near Deal, which is somewhere I'd never been to and the interior has been refurbished to replicate how it would have looked in that period of time. The best laid plans ...
I was feeling so happy to have got some decent shots of the interior of the castle, complete with Wellington's 4 poster bed, his office, and even his original pair of Wellington boots when a lovely lady told me photographs of the interior weren't allowed due to insurance purposes! I offered to delete them and she said it was up to me, so I didn't but because she was so polite I didn't feel it was right to put the pictures on the internet.
So no interior photographs, but lots of the exterior of the Castle instead.
The top row is approaching the Castle from the drive. The second row are photos of the rear of the Castle, and the third row were taken on a walk around the moat that I did - the grounds are immaculate, and the Virginia creeper is spilling all over the walls - just beautiful. The bottom row is of the kitchen garden, the main garden, and then the garden by the lake which is really lovely. All in all, a very enjoyable trip.
@francoise Hi Francoise, I'm sorry I had to stray away from the interior, but hope you like the photos of the exterior of the Castle. I had a lovely time with this challenge, despite the gloomy day and the rain, and it's somewhere I have never visited despite having lived in this area for many years. Thank you for the challenge!
@maggiemae Thanks Maggie, I didn't understand the logic. I guess they don't want the contents broadcast in case of burglary! I've just Googled Photographs of Walmer Castle Interior and someone has put a picture up on Flickr of the hallway also stating no photography allowed ... it's such a shame as the interior is lovely. Henry VIII had it constructed as part of the King's Defence programme to protect against invasion from the French between 1539 and 1540.
Love the collage, lots to look at and enjoy in there. Bummer about the interior though. I don't get the insurance thing either. We visited a number of great old castles, abbies etc on our European trip a couple of years ago, and were very annoyed at the 'no photos, no photos' refrain in all of them. So much so we're quite put off going back there. Mind you, I did manage a few sneakies.
Most wonderful! To respect their wishes was the right thing to do. I do believe if I had the chance to visit this residence I would from just seeing the wonderful exterior shots shown.
You are good, I'd have continued taking photos, but but uploaded them to here out of a modicum of respect!!!
We have a weekly magazine called 25 Beautiful Homes in our library, they NEVER offer to visit my home!!!
I love the geometry in these shots ... and definitely echo the concept that this could be a travel brochure/magazine layout. Too bad about the interiors, I would have loved to see them. Very honorable of you to do what they wished!
That sounds really disappointing when you had everything planned out so well. I guess the insurance companies must give a cheaper premium if the public are not allowed to take photographs. The 'house and garden' look rather splendid though, so you had better submit to that magazine instead.
I would love to visit a Castle,so interesting.
Well done this is great work. :)
We have a weekly magazine called 25 Beautiful Homes in our library, they NEVER offer to visit my home!!!