An astounding Saltram discovery!

We have recently had a beautiful inlaid writing desk returned to us from a long stay at Trerice. When cleaning it the other day we discovered a message, probably part of a letter, pasted to the bottom of a drawer. It appeared to be written in French so we sent it off to our Curator to have a closer look!

We have just had the translation returned and sadly it doesn't make a huge amount of sense as much of the letter is missing but what we do have is...

the State, often at the peril
even incarcerated when his
considerable sums
that he comes out free of charge
Lombards of which he justifies. Paris, March 1824

Quite interesting stuff! We have ascertained from this that the writer of the letter was probably in prison and is trying to correct an injustice and be released from his imprisonment.

A lovely bit of history, hidden away for over a hundred years right under our noses!

Amazing Flower Displays at Saltram!

A Marsh Orchid

A population of Southern Marsh Orchids is currently flowering in the gardens here at Saltram. Their number have been slowly increasing over the past few years with the help of our gardening team and the work they are doing to help the orchids reproduce. They can be found growing between the Orangery and the nearby Orange Grove.

Other things looking good at the moment in the garden include the 'Chilean Fire Bush', or Embothrium coccineum which is growing in the Orange Grove, along the Lime Avenue there are hundreds of white flowers along with wild garlic and 'Queen Anne's Lace' and the first of the bearded iris' are starting to appear. These can be found near the Chapel Gallery and near the Castle Folly at the top of the garden.

The Orangery has also been emptied for the summer with the help of our garden volunteers. So there's lots to see this Spring in the gardens at Saltram!

Tim, our garden volunteer removing an orange tree from the Orangery

Make a Proposal at Saltram and Win a Prize!

This week we're gearing up for another busy Bank Holiday weekend, but this one is different, there's something magical in the air around a Royal Wedding!

If you're looking for a magical place to pop the question come to Saltram. The impressive Georgian mansion is set in stunning landscaped gardens, which at this time of year are crammed full of spring blossoms, dazzling colours and evocative scents. The garden also offers many secluded spots and hidden follies. Perhaps the Castle or Temple of Jupiter could be the perfect romantic location for you and your loved one?

As our special way of celebrating and entering into the spirit of the occasion, we at Saltram are offering an exclusive prize for anyone who proposes in the Garden this bank holiday weekend. A name will be selected at random to attend a luxury picnic laid out for the lucky couple in the gardens, where they'll enjoy a sumptuous picnic hamper full of delights and be treated like a true Royal with full butler service.

So come along and take a chance this weekend at Saltram!

Snowdrops at Saltram

This week marks the peak of the snowdrop display in our garden here at Saltram, with later displays in the parkland slowly appearing.

We have developed a new 'Snowdrop Walk' alongside the old Lime Avenue, here you can see the snowdrops growing under the ancient oak trees.

Our head gardener Penny has said she's pleased with the way the Snowdrops have spread and at one end of the walk we've planted Winter Aconites, that are hardly ever seen in the West Country, which form a carpet of gold to compliment the Snowdrops.

Penny hopes that the development of our dwarf bulb display will add a real new dimension and a splash of unseasonal colour to our gardens in the coming winters.

Other flowers that are really great at the moment and are worth coming to see are the Witch Hazels, Winter Flowering Honeysuckles and the first Daffodils, Camellias and Hellebores of 2011.

Before we know it the spring will be upon us and all these Snowdrops will be succeeded with 300 yards of Daffodils of all sizes and varieties so there's even more reason to come to Saltram and put some colour and nature into your day.

Our Gardens are open every day during the season and are worth
a visit if you're coming to the house for our
weekend of tours on the 19th and 20th of February.

Call 01752 333503 for more information.

A rare look inside the books at Saltram

On the 24th September Saltram House is opening its doors to the public for a rare look inside the books of the Library.

Usually the books are just masses of nameless spines to visitors, however this Library is rare as it is original to the house, each volume purchased by the Parker family throughout their tenure at Saltram. On the 24th these books will be taken from the shelves and we will show you some real gems.

The day will be led by the National Trust's Libraries Curator, Mark Purcell and members of Saltram's conservation team, there will be lunch included in the cost and opportunities to ask questions about your own collections.

The day will run from 10.30 - 4.00 and will include lunch in the Fennimore Room. The cost is £27.50 per person and it is a ticket-only event. Please call 01752 333503 for more information and booking.