Treasure Houses Win at Hudson's Heritage Awards 2014 - WINNER: Chatsworth House for BEST HERITAGE PICNIC SPOT

WINNER:  Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

BEST HERITAGE PICNIC SPOT

Chatsworth House

For the first time in 2014 the winner of this award was nominated by a member of the general public. It is an award for a heritage site which is a special place to have a picnic.  This place for a picnic was nominated by Mrs Olwen Wright, who wins a Hudson’s hamper for 6.

This is an extract from her nomination….

“As we entered the parkland and got our first view of the House and its surrounds, our grandchildren, aged 9 and 14, who would never usually comment, both said “Wow!”
There is something for everybody, whatever their age or inclination on the Estate. So many beautiful designated picnic areas, and even a hut to buy picnic food if you decide on the spur of the moment! Nothing here is forgotten and it adds up to a memorable day.”


2014 Hudson's Heritage Award Winners

About Hudson's Awards

The Treasure Houses Of England

The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.
Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

Treasure Houses Win at Hudson's Heritage Awards 2014 - WINNER: Hatfield House for Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant, Looking West BEST NEW COMMISSION

WINNER:  Hatfield House for Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant, Looking West

Hatfield House

BEST NEW COMMISSION Sponsored by Smith & Williamson, accountants and investment consultants

The other contender for Best New Commission is a traditional piece of far sighted patronage by a great landowning family in the long tradition of their ancestors.  It is a painting of the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in June 2012, commissioned personally by the Marquess of Salisbury  for his home, Hatfield House, to commemorate and record this important national event. Lord Salisbury was Chairman of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation which organised the pageant which was itself in part inspired by a painting by Antonio Canaletto of The Lord Mayor’s Day on the Thames, now hanging in Prague.  Appropriately, Lord Salisbury commissioned a new painting of the Queen’s Pageant from artist Nick Botting, who is well known for capturing the moment en plein air in the tradition of the Impressionists. The painting was on public display at Hatfield House for the whole of the 2013 visitor season allowing visitors to share their memories of this great national event while it was still fresh in their minds. The judges were impressed not just with the commission but with the way in which the painting had been immediately incorporated into every visitor’s experience.

2014 Hudson's Heritage Award Winners

About Hudson's Awards

The Treasure Houses Of England

The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.
Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

Treasure Houses Win at Hudson's Heritage Awards 2014 - HIGHLY COMMENDED: Woburn Abbey Gardens for The Woburn Abbey Garden Showl Win the Award for BEST EVENT

Woburn Abbey Garden Show

WINNER:  Woburn Abbey for The Woburn Abbey Garden Show

BEST EVENT

The gardens team at Woburn Abbey wants to gain international recognition for the garden in its own right not just as an adjunct to a famous great house. Like all heritage gardens its history is complex, successive designers, including Humphry Repton, Henry Holland, Sir Jeffry Wyattville, and Percy Cane, have all had a hand in it.

The annual Woburn Abbey Garden Show in June is now in its fifth year and is a gardeners’ Garden Show, not only in the practical approach it offers its visitors but because it is an enterprise entirely organised by the gardeners. The show has popular talks by influential contemporary gardeners like Pippa Greenwood and Diarmuid Gavin. In 2013, the team added a Potted History of the Gardens to the Garden Show exhibits, telling the story of the design and restoration of different areas of today’s gardens in a series of 9 giant flower pots specially planned to explain the character and period of each element of the gardens’ history; a simple clever way to tell the story of its past and of the 9 year restoration programme which is still ongoing..

2014 Hudson's Heritage Award Winners

About Hudson's Awards

The Treasure Houses Of England

The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.
Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

Treasure Houses Win at Hudson's Heritage Awards 2014 - Holkham Hall Win the Award for BEST FAMILY DAY OUT

WINNER:  Holkham Hall, Norfolk

Holkham Hall

BEST FAMILY DAY OUT

Holkham is one of the great estates of Britain, hidden in the extreme North of Norfolk.  It is in an area of exceptional natural beauty and the estate has been able to encourage a growing tourist market and build strong links with local communities.  Over the last few years, an increasing variety of activities have brought large number’s of young families into the park and innovative exhibitions at all times of year have widened the appeal of the house to younger audiences.

Last year saw the introduction of a new education team, a new woodland play area and tree house, new Discovery and Nature trails and you can now explore the park by bicycle, canoe, kayak or rowing boat or even by water zorbing! They have introduced the ‘wow’ factor to key events in the calendar, with a snowy Forest and Gingerbread Room at Christmas, a giant Chocolate egg to win at Easter, a 3 day May Day cycle festival and spooky tours at Halloween.

The judges recognised that visiting children and adults of all ages, including the local community, had been given new opportunities to engage with the landscape, park, architecture and collections and discover new ways of enjoying this fantastic protected heritage setting.2014 Hudson's Heritage Award Winners

About Hudson's Awards

The Treasure Houses Of England

The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.

Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and garden

Treasure Houses Win at Hudson's Heritage Awards 2014 - Leeds Castle Win the Award for BEST ACCOMMODATION

WINNER:  Leeds Castle, Knights’ Glampsite

BEST ACCOMMODATION sponsored by Signpost Hotel Guide

Leeds Castle Knights' Glampsite

Our winner provides a rather different accommodation. Last year Leeds Castle laid out a ‘Knight’s Glampsite’. The idea came from the fact that Henry VIII’s procession to the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520 stopped at this historic castle en route.  Guests are accommodated in specially commissioned double pavilions in jaunty stripes with really civilised bathrooms, wood burning stoves and luxurious furnishings incorporating silk, wool and fur. The tents are named after Henry VIII’s champions and this year a Knight’s School is planned to give families something extra.

It is camping certainly, but camping with a twist, more reminiscent of a top of the range safari camp but with a distinctly mediaeval flair.  Last year’s Knightly Glampers all particularly enjoyed the experience of having privileged access to the castle after the general public had left and this is all the better now, Leeds Castle opens its restaurant for evening diners.

2014 Hudson's Heritage Award Winners

About Hudson's Awards

The Treasure Houses Of England

The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.
Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

Treasure Houses Win at Hudson's Heritage Awards 2014 - Blenheim Palace Win the Award for BEST SHOPPING

WINNER:  Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
BEST SHOPPING sponsored by Spear’s, the luxury lifestyle media brand

Blenheim Palace Gift Shop

Blenheim Palace won a Commercial Innovation Award here last year, in recognition of a major investment programme which has reinvigorated many of the visitor areas with new buildings, restoration and redevelopment. What impressed the judges is how this programme is continuing with more innovation and continuing attention to detail. 

The team at Blenheim run 3 shops.  The newest is The Children’s Shop, selling pocket money toys, treats and fancy dress that will appeal to kids.  There is a shop selling high quality arts and crafts from the immediate surrounding area, though for 2014 this will be a World War 1 shop specialising in First World War memorabilia to support the major exhibition in the house.  And of course there is an exemplary gift shop which sells a range of items including many carrying the attraction’s own brand. The judges particularly liked a new range of items inspired by the working lives of the household staff, called Below Stairs. And if you need the Valet’s Shoe Polishing Kit or the Housemaid’s Bannister Brush, you can now order it online and have it posted direct.

2014 Hudson's Heritage Award Winners

About Hudson's Awards

The Treasure Houses Of England

The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.
Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

Centuries old gardens design scoops top modern day award for Woburn Abbey

 Woburn Abbey and Gardens are delighted to announce that the completion of a pavilion designed over 200 years ago has won the prestigious New Commission category of the 2012 Hudson’s Heritage Awards.  The striking red, green and gold pavilion in a Chinese-style was the inspiration of Humphry Repton, the famous landscape gardener, and sits on top of the attractive rockery in the gardens of Woburn Abbey, family home of the 15th Duke and Duchess of Bedford.

 

In 1802 Repton was commissioned by the 6th Duke to produce designs for enhancing the gardens and deer park and create interest for visitors.    The rockery and pavilion together were one part of Repton’s plan for formal ‘Pleasure Grounds’ at Woburn Abbey and illustrations of all of Repton’s designs and ideas were collated in his Red Book (1805), still held at the Abbey today.  Woburn has the most plans of Repton’s realised in the UK, but until this year the rockery stood uncompleted.

For the past seven years the Family along with the Estates Gardens Manager Martin Towsey and his team have been working tirelessly to restore Repton’s original plans for the ‘Pleasure Gardens’, which have also included an aviary and Children’s Garden.   In 2009 the Abbey Gardens team began restoring the rockery, which had suffered badly from weather over the years and was overgrown with trees, with the ultimate goal of recreating Repton’s original illustration.    In 2011 F Martin Ltd were commissioned to build the pavilion and together with the Abbey Gardens team constructed it on top of the rockery.  It took four weeks to build and a week to construct on site.  The entire project was successfully completed this summer and officially opened by Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford at the Woburn Abbey Garden Show.

The pavilion and rockery are on public display within the Abbey Gardens.  
For more information, visit www.woburn.co.uk/abbey or call 01525 290333.

Woburn Abbey Gardens Opening Times
Until 21st March 2013:10am to 4pm (last entry), closed 24th to 26th December 2012
22nd March to 3rd November 2013: 10am to 5pm (last entry)
4th November to 31st December 2013: 10am to 4pm (last entry) Friday, Saturday and Sunday only

Location of Woburn Abbey and Gardens
Just south east of Milton Keynes, Woburn Abbey is signposted from junctions 12 and 13 of the M1. It is also easily accessible from the A5.