Finally, got some time for Julie, well Halloween and Firework night didn't go as plained with other things taking priority, especially work. I decided to go to Hall Place, a friend went there and thought I would pay a visit.
Hall Place is a historic house and garden in Bexley, has a rich in fascinating history, welcomes visitors all year round with a range of exhibitions and public events and stunning spaces for weddings and other celebrations. Garden entry is free.
Hall Place was built in 1537 for Sir John Champneys, a wealthy merchant and former Lord Mayor of London. The house was extended in 1649 by Sir Robert Austen, a merchant from Tenterden in Kent.
In January 1944 the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps 6811th Signal Service Detachment arrived at Hall Place to operate an intercept station, code named Santa Fe. This Y Station was set up in a new spirit of co-operation between British and American intelligence services.
The Signal Corps were to participate in the Enigma code breaking operation, Ultra. The Santa Fe Y station intercepted encoded Morse signals, mostly from the German Air Force and the Luftwaffe. Radio aerial wires were strung over the rooftops and the Tudor Kitchen and Great Hall were converted into ‘set rooms’ with banks of Hallicrafters radio receivers lined up on wood-plank tables. The Great Parlour became the soldier’s dormitory.
The Gardens– open free of charge all year round which are set within a 65 hectare estate, offering some outstanding examples of horticulture and wildlife. Very muddy this time of year and not much to see.
Bexley Butterfly House and Plant Centre - There was a sign up saying maintenance work, so I don't think the butterfly house was open and £4 to go in, there were plants for sale, not badly priced either.
Jambs Owls Experience, all I could see was Xmas lights all over the place, can't be good for owls, £4 to go in, I thought I would save this for another day.
Is it worth going? When the house is open, it's £8 to see an empty house, full of history, tho. The gardens, probably best in early summer when all the plants are out. The car park is free, there is a café, looks clean, for a coffee, didn't try it this time, probably next time. There is a miniature railway, not open this time of year.
I spent about an hour and a half walking around it all, with muddy boots, I thought it was best not to go into the gift shop. If you go, take another pair of shoes/boots. Overall, probably best to go when it's fully open to get the best experience. After my visit I went shopping, making the most of it.
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