A Day at the Museum

 I'd made an executive decision not to travel back from Bournemouth after the fabulous Romance Writing Festival on a Sunday. Having had the train journey from hell on the way down, I did not regret the decision. (The journey back on Monday went like clockwork!) 

But what do you do on a wet Sunday in Bournemouth when you forgot to pack your umbrella?  I didn't relish tramping around getting soaked - and it was raining cats and dogs, all day. Luckily I had done my homework and discovered the Russel Cotes Museum and Gallery which I was keen to explore. Also luckily it was very close to my hotel. Even so I had to dry my showerproof coat out with a hair dryer when I squelched back after a fun day spent at the house. It is one of those gloriously bonkers Victorian piles - all turrets and verandas outside and stuffed full of treasures inside. It was a 66th birthday present from Sir Merton Russel Cotes to his wife Annie. The couple owned and managed the Royal Bath Hotel next door - where the Festival was held - and staff from the hotel looked after the devoted couple who lived there until they died.  I loved it. The decor - basically if it was a wall or ceiling, paint it, tile it or stencil it. If it was a window, put stained glass in it. If it was vertical, hang art on it, if it was horizontal put an ornament on it. The house was perched high above what was a very rough sea on that day. Many of the rooms and the lovely little conservatory had spectacular views mostly of lashing waves. 

The art was also spectacular - the house was intended to be a gallery to be left for the benefit of the people of Bournemouth and the Russel Cotes' were avid collectors. Victorian art - including a couple of lovely Pre-Raphaelites - sculpture, small pieces in china and metal - cabinets full of ornaments. Even a small museum to the famous actor Henry Irving who was a friend of the couple and stayed often at the hotel. I spent a happy day going from room to room studying the comprehensive catalogue in each one that explained the details of what I was looking at. A scone and tea in the very nice cafe, and a trip to the gift shop rounded off the day.   

As I have two idea simmering which involve Victorian houses it was a worthwhile research exercise. Plenty of thoughts to stoke the simmer. 

If you want to take a look the website with lots of pictures of house and art is HERE