My trip to Bulstrode and Windsor
November 9th 2021
On this surprisingly clement day in winter, with the sun peeping through, we set off to Bulstrode near Gerard’s Cross; less than an hour from London, north-west on the A40. No longer the home of the World Evangalisation for Christ International (founded in 1913 by Charles Studd, cricketer turned missionary) but the object of capitalist property developers from Dubai who are going to turn it into a 5 star hotel with 200 bedrooms.
Though the entry to the estate was barely visible, we did manage to spy it and along the drive we went until barriers stopped us. We enjoyed the view of fields on either side and tried to think of the days when the Duchess would drive along in her carriage. The place teamed with workmen all in their hard hats and fluorescent vests. The bemused porter at the barrier told us that the hotel would be open in two years.
What would Mrs Delany and the Duchess have thought? Probably positively. The house they loved had been pulled down and a new Victorian mansion built in its place in 1865, so they would not have had any particularly deep affinity with this building. The fact that it is close to London and in beautiful countryside they would know is appealing and so why not open it up to all and sundry – at any rate, those that could pay for 5 stars. Certainly it will not be the centre of scientific and philosophical discussion and creative artistry as they had.
Driveway to Bulstrode
Driveway to Bulstrode
On to Windsor…
After lunch in a delightful café offering delicious Moroccan food we set off for St. Alban’s Street, Mrs Delany’s grace and favour home whose garden backed on to the garden of Queens Lodge where the Royal Family lived. St Albans Street was quite close as we had parked in the Victoria Street parking centre.
On our arrival at the bottom of the street, we started investigating the gates of an imposing area. It turned out to be the entry to the stables, car garages and all vehicles mechanical and horse driven supporting the present Royal Family. The most obliging guard on the gate told us that
The buildings were from the time of George IV and on various poles there were dedications to the Sovereign in 1824 etc. The guard told us that the Duke of Edinburgh used to come down most days in order to go carriage driving, and that Prince Andrew would be out riding each day. All the cars used by the Royal family are also housed there. But our agreeable informant knew nothing of Mrs Mary Delany and her dwelling in this very street – St. Alban’s Street.
So on we went up the hill toward the castle and almost at the top we spied a wonderful plaque dedicated to Mrs Mary Delany who was visited by Fanny Burney. Our day was complete. But we did then go back down the hill to inform the guardsman and on to the gate into Windsor Great Park. A wonderful sight lined with trees turning vivid golden and burnished colours in the autumn sunshine.
The road between the place where Mrs Delany’s house was and the Castle
Our lunch place
Gate to the stables on St. Alban’s St.
Plaque showing the place where Mrs Delany had lived
The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park
The Long Walk
The Two Brewers Pub beside the gate into Windsor Great Park