Arlington Court - Form & Function

Arlington Court History

Arlington Court is also part of the National Trust, as are the hiking areas we’ve toured. The website describes the house here…

“Arlington Court is an unexpected jewel on the edge of Exmoor, a complete family estate held by the Chichester family for over five hundred years. The collection consists of treasures for all tastes, from model ships to shells, collected over several generations. The house itself, built in 1823 and extended in 1860, has an austere facade. However, inside the cosy rooms purvey a homely, family atmosphere.”

Arlington House Design

Arlington House is furnished as it was during Miss Rosalie Chichester’s life (the last heir who subsequently donated it to the National Trust upon her death in 1949). The original wallpaper still exists from the time the house was built and other decor has similarly been preserved. This speaks volumes about the family and the National Trust who try to conserve as oppose to restore.

I’ve highlighted some features of the home that struck me, not whole rooms per se…

the house with its extensions — The house with its extensions.

you must ring the door to Arlington, as Ms. Chichester requested that touring guests always be greeted by a guide answering the door — You must ring the door to Arlington, as Ms. Chichester requested that a guide must answer the door and always greet the guests.

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the finishing details are magnificent — Magnificent details provide the finishing touches.

Miss C travelled widely and was a collector of many things...I was drawn to her enormous shell collection — An avid collector of many things, Miss C travelled widely and amassed an enormous shell collection.

beautiful, colorful shells up close — Beautiful, colorful shells up close.

original plaster ceilings and light fixtures that were never converted...in fact, when Miss C died in 1949 the house still had no electricity! — Original plaster ceilings and light fixtures that were never converted. In fact, when Miss C died in 1949, the house still had no electricity!

love the detail on this sofa table — Love the detail on this sofa table.

a desk with a view...with Ms. Chichester's personal stationery and other items intact — A desk that reveals a view with Ms. Chichester’s personal stationery and other items intact.

I've seen these fanciful screens around Portobello Road — I’ve seen these fanciful screens around Portobello Road.

love this early nod to "skylights"...so much prettier than today's version — Love this early nod to “skylights”.

surprise...pastureland with grazing animals — The property includes pastureland with grazing animals.

prettiest tack room I've ever seen — Prettiest tack room I’ve ever seen.

the family has its own church and graveyard, of course — The family has its own church and graveyard, of course.

where are they?

Arlington Court Gardens

The walled gardens, both formal and kitchen gardens, are lovely. The walls are beautiful but also practical as they shield the plants from winds and inclement weather thereby allowing the manor to grow all sorts of veggies and plants successfully…