Wollaton

We've been having some absolutely gorgeous fall weather here, with lows in the low 40s (no hard freeze yet) and highs in the upper 50s. There is concern about the drought here (though we had one rainy day this week), but we have appreciated all the sunshine.

Lake at the Deer Park, Hall in the background

Mary and I have taken advantage of the weather to take some long afternoon walks. Our favorite spot has become Wollaton Deer Park. This is the 500 acre grounds surrounding the Elizabethan manor house, Wollaton Hall, which was built in the 1580s by the Willoughby family, using the design of Robert Smythson, who was later the architect of Hardwick Hall (see below).

Unlike Hardwick Hall (which we visited once again this weekend with a different group of our students), the Willoughby family and Wollaton Hall fell on rather hard times. The house was not kept in as grand a fashion as some others around the area, and stood vacant for over 100 years before being taken over by the city of Nottingham, refurbished, and turned into a museum.

Front view of Wayne Manor (aka Wallaton Hall)

Wollaton Hall's exterior will be featured as "Wayne Manor" in the upcoming Batman movie, to be released in the summer of 2012.

Some of the 18th and 19th century Willoughbys were known as great explorers and collectors, so it is appropriate that Wollaton Hall now serves as the Nottingham Natural History Museum, featuring a number of stuffed animals that old Willoughbys shot on safari, or rocks and shells they collected from travels around the world. The adjacent stables are now the Nottingham Industrial Museum, as well as a restaurant.

Mary walking toward the stables, next to the Hall

The grounds surrounding the Hall are now a city park, open for walking, biking, picnics, and as a venue for the occasional rock concert or other event. And yes, it's called Wollaton Deer Park because there are two small herds, two different species of deer. Since it's only a short drive from our home here, it makes a great place to get some exercise.