After visiting Clandon, I wanted to visit Kirby Hall, which has been a romantic ruin since the nineteenth century, was taken on by the Ministry of Works in 1927 and was John Summerson’s favourite building (he made a TV programme about it in 1971).
It’s slightly surreal, so close to Corby, and totally deserted:-
The sun came out on the north façade:-
Amazing carved decoration on the gate to the entrance courtyard:-
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
Coincidentally, we were taken there last year by an English friend and it’s so impressive, full of atmosphere and beautiful gardens.