We were out Celebrating The Queen’s Birthday In A Foreign Country when we stopped at Kingwood Center Gardens. The day prior, we visited the English manor style of Stan Hywett Hall and Garden, and on this day, it was the French style of Kingwood. The two styles and both mansions were so very different from each other.
At Stan Hywett Hall, it was warm and welcoming, with more design features than we have seen anywhere else. It was a family home and served as such for decades. In contrast, Kingwood was a large, imposing display of wealth and power. When I stood outside, looking at the building that composed Kingwood, I felt dwarfed by its size. This became more apparent when we entered the mansion and saw the rooms with very tall ceilings, wide halls, and large stairs. Kingwood made me feel small.
And that was the intention. With money comes power and influence, which needed to be projected onto anyone who would have visited this mansion when its former residents occupied it. Kingwood is nowhere near as warm and inviting as Stan Hywett Hall, but it was still beautiful to explore. I would not complain if I had to move here and make it my residence.
Even more interesting were the extensive grounds, which are the scene for the gardens. Like many wealthy homes, the gardens feature well-manicured displays of flowers, trees, and shrubs. And, as an added delight, peacocks.
I knew the peacocks were here at Kingwood Center Gardens but could not find them initially. It was not until someone told us to go to the sound of the screaming child that we found one displaying its plumage in the classic style of these magnificent birds.
While perusing the grounds, taking in all the different flowers and their arrangements, one person who had a membership to this place took full advantage of it on a daily basis. He was greeted by name at the admissions desk and used the grounds to complete his exercise routine. I was envious of his route. We are one-time visitors to his location and would not see how the gardens grow and evolve through the seasons like this man would.
Kingwood Center Gardens is a place worth visiting throughout the year. The mansion hosts various events, and the timing of different blooming flowers and trees will keep locals coming back time and time again. Our reciprocal membership got us in for free, and if we are in the area again, we will come back to explore more.
- Read how I had my own screaming child on my school bus and how he sounded like a peacock.
- Check out my favourite map, which shows All The Places We Have Been To, to see the location of Kingwood Center Gardens and other places we have visited.
