The Grove Museum
Ramsey Isle of Man
Visit Grove house to slip back in time. The Victorian rooms
are crammed full of bibelots, furniture, heavy curtains and there are even bobbles
on the shelf covers. Cases display fans and trinkets used in every day life by
the people who lived in the house. I saw my first hemming bird in one of the
cases. (Yes, hemming, not humming). Upstairs you can visit a bedroom, sewing
room, nursery and maid’s quarters.
And there is a costume room, showing examples of the type of clothes worn during the life of the house. These outfits are presented in well placed glass cases so that a good view of each dress is possible. The oldest outfits provide a glimpse of tightly corseted figures. There is a beautiful cream carriage cloak with fringe detail. An unusual thing to see is what the well dressed Edwardian lady tennis player wore. From her boater to her plimsolls, via a floor length skirt and belted jacket you can see how women suffered for their sport. One gorgeous terracotta coloured suit from the 30s had an embroidered pattern on the jacket front, with the same on the jacket cuffs. Closer inspection showed this to be hand done and it livens up the suit a lot. My favourite dress was a plum frock with a cream neck drape and falling scarf effect, edged with self covered button detail. 1930s I should think.
And there is a costume room, showing examples of the type of clothes worn during the life of the house. These outfits are presented in well placed glass cases so that a good view of each dress is possible. The oldest outfits provide a glimpse of tightly corseted figures. There is a beautiful cream carriage cloak with fringe detail. An unusual thing to see is what the well dressed Edwardian lady tennis player wore. From her boater to her plimsolls, via a floor length skirt and belted jacket you can see how women suffered for their sport. One gorgeous terracotta coloured suit from the 30s had an embroidered pattern on the jacket front, with the same on the jacket cuffs. Closer inspection showed this to be hand done and it livens up the suit a lot. My favourite dress was a plum frock with a cream neck drape and falling scarf effect, edged with self covered button detail. 1930s I should think.
This house has a fascinating history. There are photographs of the family who lived here and a picture of three of the ladies seated in the front parlour. When you stand in the room and look to the corner the likeness was taken, not much has changed. You can listen to spoken memories from one of the ‘girls’ who lived her life in the house. And then there are the love letters on the bedroom mantelpiece. What happen to Ned? Why did she not marry him? We shall never know.
This is a lovely house, with a warm family feeling and comfortable red carpeted stairs with shiny brass stair rods. A gorgeous bunch of fresh flowers sat on the hall table next to the calling cards on the silver tray. Definitely worth a visit.
Ps the loos are spotless and the staff are welcoming and really know their stuff.
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