Gibside

by Gemma Hall

Nowadays many of Gibside’s buildings lie in ruins. But this was once a grand Georgian estate, home to one of the most powerful families in England, the Bowes. This guidebook reveals how they built their fortune – and Gibside – and the scandalous tale of how one, the ‘Unhappy Countess’ Mary Eleanor, was held captive here by her deceitful husband, Stoney Bowes.These pages also offer an insight into Gibside the wildlife that now calls it home; a handy ‘Spotter’s Guide’ to some of the estate’s lesser-spotted features that can be ticked off during your visit; and the initiatives the National Trust is taking to create a peaceful retreat for visitors and nature.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2016

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My recent visit to Gibside was compromised for various reasons (including that the main object of the exercise was to eat pizza rather than have the usual nature/heritage/scone National Trust experience) I am so glad I bought the guidebook to read later as it was a well balanced production with lots of interesting, remarkable history, especially about Georgian heiress Mary Eleanor Bowes and her miserable relationships with men, the abortions, the abuse and the link with Kubrick's Barry Lyndon film. It also whetted my appetite for more walking on the estate to see more of the wilder flora and fauna. There's a lovely low key 'Spotter's Challenge' which incorporates nature and heritage recent and ancient, accessible for children and for adults too.