Living for the Good Life: stately home

This weekend just gone I spent some time at home with my family and we decided to have a day out on the Sunday. The weather didn't seem too promising so we opted for an indoor activity and settled on Penrhyn Castle, located in Bangor, Wales, which I'd never visited before.

Penrhyn Castle is a 19th century National Trust property that was originally a medieval fortified manor house. So basically, a stately home type thing. You can walk around the property, as well as explore the vast surrounding grounds, but due to the weather we just stuck to exploring the incredible rooms inside.

You might want to grab a cup of tea for this one, it's a long 'un!...

In the entrance hall there were some incredible metal grid decorations in the floor which, if you look really closely, you can see that people have used them like wishing wells and have thrown money in!

The great hall had stained glass windows that were filled with horoscope zodiac signs.

We then strolled into the dining room, which was set out magnificently. Imagine the dreamy dinner parties that must have gone on at this table.

In the breakfast room hung a painting of Henry VIII - I wonder whether he ever visited Penrhyn himself.

There were some beautiful monogrammed stationary pieces in the various living rooms.

The stairways and hallways were incredible, covered in the most intricate plastering I've ever seen, particularly the ceilings.

The bedrooms featured some gorgeous patterned wallpapers, which reminded me of contemporary Laura Ashley wallpapers and prints.

Inside the castle's chapel lay more stunning plasterwork and stained glass windows. Notice the chevron plastering on the pillars - how on trend.

In one of the studies lay this book, which I was desperate to flick through, but followed the 'do not touch' signs and resisted.

I absolutely love interior design and anything to do with houses, so exploring stately homes really ticks my boxes. Penrhyn Castle was a lovely day out and if you're in the area any time I'd definitely recommend taking the time out to visit it. If you do, make sure to sign up for the free tour of the lounge area that is otherwise closed to general visitors. We did so and it was a lovely addition to the day, and we were told many facts and quips about the place and the history of it that we would not have known otherwise. I'd love to go back and explore the grounds on a sunny day.

For more information on Penrhyn, click here.

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