A La Ronde is an unusual 16 sided cottage built in the 18th Century for two women, Mary & Jane Parminter, who were cousins.
I had a stroll around to have a look at the outside. The very top of A La Ronde houses the shell gallery. There were originally 20 rooms inside, but throughout history changes have been made.
The interesting cone on the monkey puzzle caught my eye.
There was a sign underneath it suggesting a rolypoly down the little hill.
I am fond of rolling down hills so I had a go…
It was though as the sign said, a small hill, so I didn’t roll very far!
In the centre of the house there is a room with lots of doors leading to the other rooms.
The cousins went on a ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe prior to having A La Ronde built, collecting various items as souveniers. the house is thought to be inspired by some of the buildings they saw during their travels. They were from a wealthy family but it was unusual at that time for women to go travelling alone. Here I am in one of the rooms.
The Parminter cousins like to collect shells, though these particular shells were donated to the National Trust.
A very small library in a cupboard between the rooms!
I headed upstairs towards the shell gallery at the top.
This is a ‘dumb waiter’ which was used to transport items up and down without having to carry them up the stairs.
Unfortunately visitors are not allowed to visit the shell gallery as it is very fragile, which was a tad disappointing but understandable.
I managed to peer up the narrow stairway to see some of it.
There is also a miror that some of the shells can be seen.
I continued having a look at some of the rooms. This is a gas light which was used before electic lighting became available.
The bathroom was interesting as the sink didn’t have any taps; it would have been filled from one of the jugs. The bath was installed later and has some taps.
A closer look at the sink…
In the toilet there were some very old ceramic bed pans.
The view from the window at A La Ronder is beautiful with the Exe estuary in the distance.
The Parminter cousins created the freize on the walls in this room using feathers.
Feathers and shells surround the fireplace. The big shells in the fireplace have been added recently.
In the dining room I found some very interesting urns on top of a special drinks cabinet.
Each urn has two taps, one for tea, and one for hot water. I would have loved to take the lid off and look inside, but the guide said even she wasn’t allowed to do that! Apparently there are two chambers inside and some iron bars that would have been heated up to help keep the tea and hot water warm.
Back in the middle room I had a good peer up at the shell gallery, which was created from shells collected by the Parminter cousins.
The National Trust have created a replica of the shell gallery in the basement which can be viewed. It is also possible to put on a headset and have a virtual tour but I decided against that as I wanted to get out in the sunshine!
The Parminter cousins stipulated in their will that only single females relations could inherit the property from them when they died. The National Trust bought the property in 1991
There is lots more history about the house but too much for a small bear to explain here. It is a fascinating place and worth a visit if you are in the Exmouth area of the UK.
The cafe wagon next to A La Ronde that isn’t run by the National Trust does a jolly good cream tea!
For more information see: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/a-la-ronde
Horace the Alresford Bear 2/10/2025
There is an allotment garden outside the house that used to be tended by the children after they completed their long shifts in the mill. Nowadays it is tended by National Trust volunteers; the beetroot looked very tasty.
We joined a group of humans having a tour of the house. First stop was the school room. The children used to have lessons here on Sunday afternoons after going to church. Monday to Saturdays were spent working in the mill from 6am in the morning until 7pm in the evening. They must have been very tired.
I tried my paw at writing on a slate with slate. It was a tad difficult.
They started off learning to write letters by drawing them in a tray of sand. I didn’t try this as didn’t want to get sand stuck in my fur.
The lady doing the tour didn’t want to be held up by people taking photographs so we quickly followed the rest of the group upstairs to the dormitory where the children slept two to a bed. The beds were very small; poor people didn’t used to grow very tall then as they didn’t get enough nutritious food and had to work very hard. 
The children used to get to their dormitory by means of a ladder through a trap door and were shut in for the night. If they needed to do a wee or a poo they had to use a chamber pot and wipe their bottoms with some straw.
Next we went into a room that would’ve been the boy’s dormitory but a table had been put there to show some of the remedies that the doctor would have used when the mill workers were ill. The leeches were used to draw out infected blood; they are still used today for some medical uses. 
This pot contains Brimstone and treacle. It was used for all sorts of ailments and made people go the toilet. I am glad I wasn’t around back then!
Finally we went into the kitchen where a real fire was roaring. The guide told us all about the food that the apprentices ate, and that although they had a hard life it they had better conditions than some other mills.
The porridge looked a bit thick. Apparently it was made deliberately like this as the children would have been taken some for breakfast while they were working. A dollop would have been given to them in their hand and straight after eating it they would have to get back to work.
The water pump where the children would have been able to wash. It must have been very cold to use this in the winter.
I didn’t feel inclined to try out the toilet.
I did however try on a hat from the dressing up clothes that you often find in National Trust properties for children. I think I look good in caps.
The washing of clothes was carried out using ‘washing dollies’ which must have been very hard work. People didn’t change their clothes so often 200 hundred years ago. The mill children had 2 sets of clothes each and put fresh ones on each Sunday for church and wore them for the following week.
A walk down from the Apprentices’ house took us to Quarry Bank Mill.
Some of the trees were a splendid orange colour due to it being autumn.
This is the stream that feeds the giant water wheel which is still working at over 200 years old.
No visit to a National Trust property is complete without a stop for some cake. The Mill Café was so busy I had to sit upstairs in the overflow area, which is also a function room.
With a full tummy it was time to look around the mill.
The mill still has lots of the original machinery and is also a museum. This lady was demonstrating how cotton was turned into fabric before mass industrialisation. Here she is showing me how to ‘card’ the raw cotton and make it into fluffy cotton wool. This has to be done before raw cotton can be made into thread for weaving.
Cotton has to be spun round and round to make a strong continuous thread. It can be done totally by hand but takes a very very long time, so the spinning wheel was invented. 
The spun cotton was then made into cloth using a pedal powered loom. The fabric could only be a wide as the operator’s arm pulling the shuttle across the fabric.
Spinning was also made more efficient with the invention of the Spinning Jenny which was invented by James Hargreaves in 1764.
In another big room weaving was being done by lots of big powered machines which were being driven by the power harnessed from a water wheel and also steam engines.
When the machines were running is was very very noisy. I was very grateful to this kind National Trust guide who me borrow some protective ear muffs. 
On another floor we found this giant carding machine that turns the cotton into cotton wool.
The spinning was happening so quickly it looked as though all the reels were still. 
This bit of weaving equipment looked like something for bears to stay away from. The person setting up the weaving machine must certainly not be clumsy. 
Another toilet…
There was an exhibition with boards with information about the lives of the workers and the working conditions. Apparently it was hot and humid as that was best for the cotton, and dusty, which wasn’t good for the workers’ lungs. I tried on a pair of Lancashire clogs that felt heavy and uncomfortable.
The huge waterwheel was at first the main source of power in the mill. 
Later steam engines were also introduced to increase production.
Here I am sat on a water wheel shaft which shows how big it is. We got ‘photo bombed’ by a little dog!
We didn’t have time to visit the house where the mill owners lived but finished our visit with a refreshing walk through the woods where the Gregg’s children used to play, but I don’t think the children that worked in the mill would have had much time or energy left for playing.
We had no idea that it was a special day but were quite delighted to find that it was Daffodil Day. There was an exhibition displaying the many different varieties.
Daffodils were strung up in a garland outside the old packing shed.
Years ago sheds like this were used to pack up flowers and fruit to be taken to markets to be sold.
There were lots of old fruit trees in the Old Orchard.
The trees in the Mother Orchard were younger (planted only ten years ago) and had little pots around the bottoms of them for small bears to sit in. It started snowing while I was having my little rest; hence the white specks on the photograph.
Amongst the apple trees that was a huge hand as though there might be a giant underneath the ground. I think a manicure was needed as one the nails was broken.
At the edge of the field a large building housed a cider press. I like cider but as I am only quite small I only have a few sips to taste it now and then.
I was pleased to find a glasshouse as although snow can be fun it also makes fur wet and cold. Glasshouses are usually warm.
There were lots of seedlings growing in pots. Some of the pots were empty; the gardener told us that a mouse had been nibbling them.
The snow continued to fall as we walked on around the gardens. 
The Prospect Tower was closed for maintenance. Maybe we will see it next time we visit.
The beautiful blooms of the camellia didn’t seem to be troubled by the snow that was still falling.
Here I am with the Cotehele House behind me. It is about 500 years old.
We went into the house and found arts and crafts for sale. I had a chat with one of the grey knitted bears. 
There was a splendid bear sized chair for sale too.
On our way to the rest of the house I walked through an archway lined with daffodils. 
Once inside again I warmed my fur for a while by the fireplace.
There was a little chapel just inside the door with a posh fence half way across. Apparently in the old days the rich people that lived in the house would sit one side and the other side was for the poor people who had to stand and came in through a different entrance.
I sat at the organ but decided not to play it as I thought ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ might not be appropriate.
After going up some stairs I arrived at a little hidey hole that had a tiny window. 
I peered through and could see the room downstairs. It was a spy hole!
My legs always get very tired climbing the steep stairs of stately homes.
Outside it was still snowing so I was glad to be indoors.
In the kitchen there was another fire keeping visitors and the National Trust volunteer guide warm.
I thought it was probably time these vegetables were made into a stew.
The sink was very interesting indeed.
Unfortunately I fell in. It was just as well that there was no water in the bottom.
The humans helped me out and pointed out to me that there was a little fireplace underneath which would have been lit to heat the water in the sink.
Next to the sink there was an enormous stone oven where many loaves of bread must have been baked.
Up above on the wall was a big shovel that reminded me of the ‘pizza peel’ that we have at home.
The kitchen had buckets (made of leather) which would have been jolly useful had there been a fire. 
I had a last look at the house before we set off to walk down the valley to the Quay.
On the way I sat for a while in a little thatched shelter and watched the snow falling.
A little stream ran down the valley. I think lots of the plants were still asleep for winter but there were a few primroses braving the cold.
At Cotehele Quay I was hoping to see a very old barge build in 1899 called the Shamrock. However, it has been put in a tent to protect it.
I persuaded one of the humans to lift me up and I had a quick peek through one of the holes in the tent. The Shamrock did indeed look very old. 
Further along the quay I was pleased to find a seaworthy boat. The Little Charley.
We walked on to see the waterwheel which was being driven round and round by the water dropping on top of it. This is still used to grind wheat into flour.
I wasn’t in luck for a freshly baked bun though as the baker wasn’t there. 
There was a very interesting little outdoor cupboard near the mill where many years ago people used to keep butter in order to keep it cool.
The thought of flour, butter and baking made me feel extremely hungry. The Edgecombe Tearoom is an excellent place for hungry bears. 
The herd of deer certainly aren’t bothered by cold weather; they were enjoying the winter sunshine.
After exploring the deer park I strolled down through the woods towards the big house.
There was no chance of getting lost as there was a very big sign post.
I didn’t see many birds but it might be that birds are afraid of bears. 
After my walk my legs were feeling a tad tired so I stopped for a rest and enjoyed the warmth of the winter sunshine on my fur.
In the formal gardens behind the big house a group of volunteers were busy working.
Being a very helpful bear I decided to assist the gardeners for a while. 
It wasn’t long before my wheelbarrow was full up.
The gardens still have some colour even in January. The dogwood was very colourful.
I would have liked to get a bit closer to the waterfall but there was a little fence along the lawn to remind people not to walk on it. Walking on grass that is wet can make it all muddy. 
A hazel bush that must be in a slighty sunnier place that the other hazel bushes had lots of wiggly catkins dangling from it.
I went into the stables but the horses weren’t at home. The bale of hay was rather prickly to sit on for very long.
In the shop I wondered about buying myself a hat. My human often wears a cap; this one was rather large though and not quite me.
The brimmed hat restricted my vision too much.
Locally produced honey is always good. 
I decided to buy the honey; much better for a bear than a hat.
After so much exploring it was time for lunch. The venison pasty was very good for bears. Yum yum yum.
National Trust properties always seem to have a 2nd hand book shop. At Dyrham they keep the thin books in the sink. I hope no one turns on the tap.
I found a very useful book to read while the humans browsed all the other books.
In the cold store there was some food that looked quite appetising until further inspection revealed that it was made of plastic.
The large bowls were all empty but when the house was lived in long ago they would have been used to keep things cool.
Before going on our winter tour of the house I put my honey in a locker to keep it safe, and to prevent me from accidently swinging it into an antique vase.
Inside the house there was work going on. Some beetles had been nibbling away at the floor in The Great Hall, so some boards had been taken up for repairs and restoration.
Another room was very odd. The walls were covered in 300 year old gilt leather. 
I had a closer look at the leather. Someone must have worked very hard decorating it, but I didn’t like it. 
After emerging from the house I was delighted to find snowdrops. I like snowdrops; they make me feel that spring is coming soon.
Here is a selfie of me in front of the house. 
When it was time to leave, there was a bit of a challenge for me. Cattle grids (or perhaps deer grids) are not very bear friendly.
Karen rescued me as the bus that takes visitors from the car park down to the house and back was approaching and needed to cross the grid. 
We didn’t get on the bus. My humans like to walk, but my little legs were tired after such a lot of exploring so I had a lift back up to the carpark in the bear carrier.
Dyrham Park is an interesting place for humans and bears to visit even in winter.
The Wibbly Wobbly hedge was fascinating. I could see all sorts of faces in the wibbly wobbly bits, with noses poking out here and there .
Behind the wibbly wobbly hedge there was a fence that had been designed to deter bears from getting too fat .
The entrance to the ice house was a bit creepy. Years ago servants from the big house had to visit the ice house to get ice to keep food cold as fridges had not been invented .
I peered into the deep hole where the ice collected from ponds was stored . I was glad that there were railings as the hole looked like it went on forever .
On the top of the house there were lots of stone animals. Humans that live in Somerset call them ‘hunky punks’. You can just about see them in this photo .
I sat by the fountain for a while and watched the fish swimming around .
I leaned over to get a closer look which got the humans rather worried that I might fall in. Within seconds my feet were being held just in case a gust of wind blew me into the pond .
There were a couple of lovely little houses at each end of the garden .
Someone had thoughtfully set up a special place for bears to rest in this one .
Inside the other little house I made a paper lantern .
One of the humans lifted me up to hang my creation on the lantern tree. It was covered in fairy lights to be lit up once dark. I would have liked to have seen Montacute in the dark with all the lights twinkling but we weren’t able to stay that long .
This is a banqueting house where the household would sometimes have meals. It must have been very hard work for the servants carrying everything from the big house to the garden for them .
I think I look quite important sat at the banqueting table.
Montacute House and garden is surrounded by parkland. In the park area I discovered a tree just right for bears to climb .
I climbed very carefully as a fall would have resulted in me having to go in the washing machine, not one of my favourite pastimes.
On entering the House I had to put on some special blue shoes that looked rather like shower caps. They were to prevent people and bears bringing dirt into the house via their shoes .
Someone was in the middle of a game of patience but had gone off to get a cup of tea or something .
There were prickly teasels on lots of the chairs in order to stop humans and bears from sitting on them. A good deterrent; I wouldn’t want one of those stuck to my bottom !
In one of the bedrooms there was a bath inside a cupboard .
I was drawn to the room at the top of the house by the lovely smell coming from it. The floor covering in the Tudor hall was made of plaited rush and for some reason smelt of honey. 
I spent a couple of hours exploring Montacute and ended up very hungry. At the end of the visit I was able to tuck into a big bowl of cauliflower curry in the café . Yum Yum Yum…….
At the entrance to the gardens I posed for a photo with a willow squirrel, and hoped that I would see some of the real red squirrels that live in the garden.
There is a splendid view from the garden of the hills surrounding Grassmere.
Here I am just before going into the house. I could see the lake from here but forgot to get a photograph.
National Trust properties often have a room containing books for sale. I read Rupert and the Magic Seeds while the humans browsed. I think Rupert wears rather silly trousers.
The next room was set up as an art room, with tables suitable for full grown humans and small humans and bears to have a go at painting. I did a quick self portrait.
After going upstairs a guide suggested that I might like the play room. The inhabitants were certainly very pleased to see me.
I had a little ride on a wooden horse that rocked but didn’t go anywhere.
There were lots of hats to try on. I don’t think I would make a very good police bear.
Two of the resident bears put on a special afternoon tea for me. 
Before saying my farewells I tried out the blackboard.
Allan Bank has a special room for knitting. I did a few more rows of someone else’s knitting and would have continued but the humans said we needed to get some cake before the cafe closed. I like cake.
There was also a great selection of games in the knitting room that visitors can play. The croquet set was just the right size for me; I struggle somewhat with full size croquet mallets.
Next to the games table there were lots of knitted animals from the Beatrix Potter stories. They all seemed very busy but Jemima Puddleduck quacked a few times to me.
Cuddly squirrels were for sale in the next room. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see a wild red squirrel (though the humans have promised to take me to Brownsea Island oneday where red squirrels also live). I started reading ‘Squirrel Nutkin’ but didn’t finish as didn’t want to miss cake. 
We made our own cups of tea and put some money in the donation box, then bought some cake at the cafe counter.
It was a huge piece of very yummy carrot cake. 
On the way out I posed for another photo.
After showing our National Trust cards I had a conversation with a resident horse.
People live in the Manor House so some of the gardens are ‘private’. They have one of the excellent topiary houses all to themselves.
From a distance I thought that there were some strange creatures in the meadow; however on getting closer discovered that they were piles of grass drying in the sunshine to make hay.
A dog lives in the garden though he didn’t say much.
The Manor House looks very pretty with roses growing against it. 
I had a look in the well but was very cautious not to get too close. I think it might be very deep and not a good place for bears.
Some people were picnicking next to this topiary house; we have cut them off the photo. Topiary houses are good places for bears and I think human children probably like them too.
It was quite warm during our visit so I thought about cooling my paws in the little stream, then remembered that getting soggy isn’t a good idea for stuffed bears like me.
There is a special little house for storing apples. I spent a few minutes in the rocking chair and had a good look around.
High up in the middle of the ceiling was a very big wasps nest. Fortunately the wasps had all moved out and it was empty. I don’t like wasps; I do however likes bees, as they make honey.
There were lots of very big vintage cars parked in the front court yard.
They were all Alvis cars; the Alvis owners club were having a picnic.
A few of the Alvis cars had ornaments on the bonnets. I really liked the rabbit and asked the humans if we could put one on our Skoda Fabia.
My favourite Alvis car was the TC100 Grey Lady. The owner very kindly let me sit in for a while. 
Any visit to a National Trust property would not be complete without a visit to the tea room for cake. Unfortunately the tea room at Chalfield had closed when we got there but tea and biscuits were still available self service. We put some money in the honesty box.
There were loads of packets of biscuits. I opted for the oat cookies.
Karen made some tea and I sat in the sunshine to eat my biscuits. They were nearly as good as cake.
Horace the Alresford Bear 