Tuesday 23 August 2016

Visiting Old Knobbley (an Ancient Oak) and Julie's House


Old Knobbley
I'm not having a holiday this year - and I'm starting to miss going away just about now, when the weather's very hot and I feel like an excuse to not do very much with the day. Perhaps it's also because the garden and the trees are looking a bit tired in the heat and in need of some pepping up, too. We had a brief glimpse here of autumn just last weekend, with strong winds and a bit of rain, and although it passed very quickly it does feel like summer is coming to an end. So I think I'm ready to go away, have a break and then come back and look at the smallholding with fresh eyes, ready for a new season.

But that's not going to happen. Instead of a holiday, David and I are having a handful of days out. It's not the same of course, but it is an excuse to go somewhere different for the day, to relax and to have a good lunch! We had the first of these days at the very end of July, and we spent part of it visiting Old Knobbley and Julie's house.

These two couldn't be more different from each other. Old Knobbley is an ancient oak, about 600-800 years old, and Julie's house is...well...a modern house (or piece of art depending on your view). But they're geographically very close to each other in north Essex, so both can be visited in a couple of hours.

Old Knobbley's trunk, close up.
Old Knobbley is a wonderful tree. Like other ancient oaks, it's losing its heartwood and it looks like it may have been hollowed out by a fungus (essentially it's been eaten from the inside).  It was pollarded in its youth and has survived a fire at one time. It's also surrounded by other trees and so there's a danger that these will crowd it out and stop it receiving the sunlight it needs to survive. Fortunately, the local community and the local council are aware of this (there are many people caring for this special tree). Old Knobbley is a local celebrity; it has its own website and Facebook page, a book has been written about it and numerous paintings made of it. It has also come second in a 'Britain's favourite tree' contest.

I love oaks (who doesn't?) and all ancient trees, and I'd long wanted to see this one. If Old Knobbley is 800 years old, then it came from an acorn dropped in the early Middle Ages, perhaps around the time the Magna Carta was being signed. I find that incredible.

Julie's House





After visiting the ancient and gnarled Old Knobbley, we went to see the shiny and new Julie's house - a fantasy house created by artist Grayson Perry. Grayson Perry is Essex born and bred, and has created a back-story for the house based around a fictional Essex woman called Julie. It's been described as a shrine, a secular chapel, a folly, a fairy-tale house and a 'ginger bread' house.

It has artwork inside, which unfortunately we didn't see as it's closed to visitors. So we just had a good look at the outside of the house. This is covered in images that look like ancient female fertility statuettes. I did think it missed something - and realised that this was Grayson Perry himself. Really, he should have been there to explain it all!





I've no idea if the house would be practical to live in (people have been able to enter a ballot to stay in it as a holiday home). I imagine, from photos I've seen of the decor, it's a bit loud to say the least. It won't age as beautifully as Old Knobbley has done and I wonder if it will it last as long? I do like, though, the wild meadow garden to one side (or is it the front?) which should be great for pollinators.

In any case, it's certainly a fun house for today; truly eccentric and very unique.

21 comments:

  1. Love "Old Knobbly" what an amazing tree and so much texture on the bark. Let's hope it survives for a good many more years.

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    1. It's also surrounded by other interesting old oaks. It's great that they've been left alone for centuries

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  2. Hello!:) I prefere the old Oak, "Old Knobbley" as it is affectionately called. I really don't know what to make of the house, which for me looks out of place in a country setting, but would look great on a movie set,...perhaps!!!

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    1. Yes if there was a choice I'd prefer the oak too, by a long way. Nothing created by woman/man comes close

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  3. It is interesting that something like Old Knobbley can live for 600 - 800 years, and what tales it could tell if only it could speak. Likewise, I understand that Grayson Perry's house also tells a tale too about Julie Cope, a mythical Essex women, and is his homage to the "single mums in Dagenham, hairdressers in Colchester, and the landscape and history of Essex".
    I would enjoy seeing both Old Knobbley and Julie's House.

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    1. I think of everything the oak has seen over the centuries, too - and everything that has happened in the world. Incredible to think it has been standing there all that time.
      Grayson Perry's view of his home county is an interesting one. It's not the way I'd portray it at all!

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  4. Love "Old Knobbley" - there is something so very very special about ancient trees and imagining all the events they have witnessed over the centuries. Good to read it is so well cared for.

    Julie's House is incredibly unusual - not quite sure what I make of it though! It would be interesting to hear what all the images mean from the creator! Great to hear of the wildflower meadow.

    A wonderful post Wendy :)

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    1. Thanks Caroline. As you can probably guess I'm interested in the wildflower meadow more than the house!
      Old Knobbley has certainly witnessed so much, but I suppose it's no surprise that famous/infamous events that have happened in the area become connected to it (such witches from the Matthew Hopkins witch trials sheltering by this oak.)

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  5. Never heard of either of these places before, Wendy. I shall have to visit!

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    1. I don't know if there will ever be an opportunity for the general public to have a look inside Julie's House. It does seem a shame to only see the outside.
      Old Knobbley is an easy walk from a nearby car park. It's definitely worth a visit!

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  6. I love these old oak trees - just imagine the history they have seen in all those years. I would rather spend the afternoon with the tree than at Julie's House I'm afraid - it might be an exciting new concept but it doesn't do anything for me :) Have a lovely week - I hope the weather cools down a little for you - and enjoy your days out, plenty of exploring to do.

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    1. Thanks Elaine. I've much more energy now it's a little cooler, so time to tackle the gardening again.
      I agree about the tree and the house, with a choice, the tree is the one to visit. And I'm not sure the house will age well.

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  7. I did enjoy meeting Old Knobbly, what a specimen! To think it's been around all that time and even survived a fire, good to hear people are caring for it too. I wonder what it's seen in all those long years!Julie's House sure is different, I don't know what to make of it. Enjoy your days out, hubs and I have done that before we got our dog minder, sometimes those trips are better than a holiday.xxx

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    1. It is amazing that Old Knobbley has survived for so long given the demand for oak over the centuries in shipbuilding, construction etc. It is great to think it will be cared for now.
      We're certainly making our days out more special because they're so precious. Finding someone to look after our animals is always an issue, though - it does mean anytime away has to be planned with no spontaneous getaways!

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  8. How interesting, two really different tourist attractions! I love that tree, such an aged beauty. Hope you're enjoying your local days out. At least you get to stay in your own bed!!

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    1. Yes that's very true! The only downside of local days out is more driving to and from places, which takes out some of the day.

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    2. Yes that's very true! The only downside of local days out is more driving to and from places, which takes out some of the day.

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  9. It's nice having days out and having time to explore places close by. That is such a contrast between the two destinations! I looked at images of the inside, I see what you mean! Have you seen the video about extracting honey from hives mechanically that has been on facebook? It is terrible. Sarah x

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    1. I haven't seen the video, Sarah and I'll look for it - thanks. But the idea sounds terrible - it sounds like something sold as 'progress' when it's actually the exact opposite.

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  10. I love the tree!!!! We are losing all of our ash trees here in NY due to an imported ash borer which will take out every ash tree if comes upon. You can see them dying across the pond, but we are going to put up an oak tree if we can as they are wonderful.....Michelle

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    1. We're losing our ash trees here, too, because of the ash dieback disease. The ash tree is such a part of the countryside that it will have a terrible impact if they disappear.
      We have many old oaks here - all beautiful trees.

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