Uppark is a property managed by the National Trust in Wst Sussex. The history of the property dates back as a deer park used in the 14th century and was leased as a pair called "Up Park and Down Park". The house was built at the end of the 1600s and then renovated, and the house today is shown as the country house would have been lived in in the 18th century with French furniture, Italian paintings, and Dutch porcelain. The house tells two stories: those of the upper class and those who were servants and lived below the stairs. Uppark is open during December with some of its rooms dressed up for Christmas for the family upstairs and preparations for the big day underway downstairs in the servant's area for "Upstairs, Downstairs" Christmas.
The walk down to the house was feeling festive with some reindeer and lights glowing down the pathway to the house.
Before going to check out the house, I headed to the cafe to have a drink and a pastry for breakfast and then a quick browse in the book shop, but I did not buy any books this time as I have a lot to read.
Festive decorations greeted me in the hall when I entered Uppark house.
The main attraction was the saloon, and the fireplace has the Roman Romulus and Remus depicted. The room contains a beautiful Christmas tree on one side, and the other side of the room has a table laid out with playing cards and a pink Christmas cake on a table.
The Little Parlour is the next room, and this is the room where the ladies would gather. The room has been decorated for Christmas as well with tea cups, a cake, and gardlands of greenery on the mantle.
Before the dining room is another small room which contained a Christmas tree.
The next room was the Dining Room, which was laid out for a Christmas meal. I had a longer look at the detail in the paintings with the voluneer in the room.
The Servery is the room on the other side of the dining room, and the servants would arrive to the dining room in a series of tunnels and then wait here for the food to be served up. The room contains a beauiful stained glass window, which is a focal point. It was lit from behind and designed to look impressive. The design of the stained glass is inspired by the Elgin Marbles from the Greek Parthenon.
From the servery, stairs led down to the servant's quarters. These are presented as they would have been in the middle of the 1800s. The kitchen showcased a Christmas meal being prepared with different ingredients, baking gingrbread men, and dried fruit being combined to make mince for pies or cake. The Butler's room and the other areas included Christmas trees with home-made decorations and glasses out being cleaned for the day.
After exploring how the servants celebrated and prepared for Christmas, I had a quick wander around the grounds and spotted a robin.
I enjoyed visiting Uppark for Christmas to see how both the wealthy owners of the estate and their servants celebrated. For more posts about Uppark, see below:
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