Horace Walpole's 18th century Gothic fantasy is tucked away from the river in Twickenham. It fell into a ruinous state and was restored and reopened in 2010.
Thirteen years later and some eight years since my last visit, the exterior could do with a serious paint job. The interior is holding up well. On this Easter Sunday it was a relatively quiet place to come.
A sunny day with others elsewhere meant we were unbothered by our fellow visitors and had our pick of spots in the garden for the first picnic of the year.
Even the guides were of the more unobtrusive kind. I hate being told the blindingly obvious or the readily researchable.
I love the garish bling of the house. It is mad, really bonkers. Yet one might imagine living there. A pity then that the furnishings and objet were scattered in a 19th century auction.
Go if you love gold, trope l'oil, stained glass and fabulous fireplaces, or want to see a first edition of the Castle of Otranto. Not cheap, but where is these days?
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