During the recent half term school holiday to Cornwall we got off the train at Bodmin Parkway and walked two miles through parkland to the National Trust house of Lanhydrock. A splendid Victorian family house. Whilst wandering through the sculleries, game larders, luggage rooms, and kitchens I came upon an early twentieth century biscuit tin, which reminded me that work and Bristol are never far away.
Later on, above stairs in the amazing barrel-ceiling library, I gazed at the fine collection of theological works on display. A quick visit round the garden and church, then back on the train to Liskeard and more holiday. Cliffs, beaches, sand castle making, bus rides, discoveries, mist, ancient villages, seal watching, paddling…. and finally the trip home, via Saltash Bridge and Brunel’s Great Western Railway. See our online archive catalogue for holdings relating to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and start with DM162.
Hannah Lowery, Archivist, Special Collections.