The National Trust and Scotts of Thrapston, one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of Summerhouses and Gazebos, have joined forces to develop a range of wonderful garden retreats, set to inspire the next generation of writers and those who have been charmed by such buildings, after seeing them at National Trust properties.
Generations of writers, playwrights and poets found inspiration in the beauty of the places where they lived and worked. Writers such as George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf are two such writers who were inspired by spending time in writing retreats in their own gardens; these historic sanctuaries of literary talent are now under the protection of the National Trust.
The National Trust and Scotts of Thrapston have developed two designs: The Writer's Retreat which draws inspiration from George Bernard Shaw’s revolving writing hut at Shaw’s Corner, his home in Hertfordshire for more than 40 years and The Reading Room, which was inspired by Virginia Woolf’s garden writing room at Monk’s House, her Country home in Sussex.
The Writer’s Retreat is entered through a charming stable door and is the smaller of the two delightful buildings; it promotes a rustic and romantic style, with natural stained wood boarding inside and heritage style paints to the exterior.
The Reading Room is larger and the sumptuous oak clad finish that time will alter, as the oak ages, will flourish into a charming silver lustre. With its Buttermilk painted doors and windows it is well suited to a country cottage just like the property behind its inspiration, Monk’s House, near the market town of Lewes. The Reading Room’s lined interior gives a bright and spacious feel and it can be opened up to the garden by a large set of French doors.
Both styles of garden retreats are fitted out with comfy day beds, for relaxing afternoons when you can gather your thoughts, and a well positioned desk with integral ink well and pencil rest, to help realise those thoughts on paper.
Both the day bed and desk can be neatly folded away when not in use so that the space can be utilised for other purposes, such as dining and accommodating guests. For more information please call 01832 732366.