Nuffield Place was home to William Morris and his wife Elizabeth, purchased from the widow of Sir John Bowring Wimble. I first stumbled upon Nuffield Place when I was checking out which National Trust property I should visit first. Basildon Park was the property I chose, Ashdown House soon followed as did Greys Court which I visited last week. In my quest to be a local tourist in my own country I am hoping to utilize my free weekend to see as many properties as possible. Joining the national Trust and being a member has been the best decision I have made so far this year. I get to visit these places for free whenever they are open and enjoy free parking too.
Autumn is such a beautiful and colourful time of the year. I never truly appreciated this until I started my local adventures series. Having the time of my life, I have had a chance to experience autumn at its best. Being a hermit, well I like to think myself as one sometimes because I never wanna leave my home. I despises being cold and often prefer warmer weather to cooler weather hence why I never appreciated autumn. Seeing all the burnt orange and hues of dark brown as the leaves change has been totally enchanting. No more so than the beauty I witnessed at Nuffield Place this gone weekend on my local adventures. The beautiful leaves on the tress and the grounds including shrubs have changed colour.
Related: The original Morris Manor
Local adventures: Nuffield Place
Originally the manor was known as Merrow Mount a home to a shipping magnate called Sir John Bowring. The house was designed by Oswald Patridge Milne in 1914, in 1933 it was sold to William Morris, Lord Nuffield. In 1930 Sir William Morris received the honor of a Baron to become Lord. As there was already a Lord Morris, he chose to be called Lord Nuffield from the local village.
He purchased the home mainly because of its proximity to the golf club and Oxford city. The house is not your typical millionaire home and Lord and Lady Nuffield didn’t live like millionaires. Instead they favored a simple life and Nuffield Place was a sanctuary from the busy lives.
Nuffield Place – William Morris
William Morris was the youngest of 5 siblings but two of his brothers died in infancy. He was born in October 1877 in Worcester but his family moved to Oxford when he was aged three. At 14 years old, the young William gave up on his dreams to study medicine and worked at a bicycle factory. This was all in an effort so support his family when his family took ill and he had to help out. A year later William left the Oxford bicycle shop to open his own bicycle making and repair shop.
William set up his shop with only £4 capital but he later grew the company into an organisation called Nuffield. No one knows how much it is worth but up to this day, anything Nuffield came about because of his fortune. The name Nuffield means so many things to so many people; Nuffield college, Nuffield health and many more come to mind. All these are possible because of the generosity of William Morris, he was a philanthropist who gave back much more than the community gave him.
Related: Sir William Morris
Things to do at Nuffield Place
The manor is a modest home and therefore fairly simple but gives you an insight into Lord and Lady Nuffield’s lives. One might not think there is much to do but in fact there is and its lovely to show our appreciation. To a man who brought mass motoring to Britain, supported his country during the two world wars. A man who even in death is still giving back to his country, he was the greatest philanthropists of the 20th century.
- Tour the gardens, at the moment there are restorative works happening with the gardens. Lord and Lady Nuffield spent lots of time in their beloved garden and works are happening to restore it. The estate covers over 9 acres with a 4 acre garden filled with a genteel mix of flowers. You can still explore the grounds and admire the gardens but be mindful of the restorative works happenings
- Have a bit to eat, though the tea room is small it is adequate enough and has the best cakes ever. I always make it a point to visit the tea room at every National Trust property I visit. For when the weather is lovely, you can enjoy tea outside near the fields.
- Shop for souvenirs, I love checking out the shop as well and try to pick something I like. The shops are always small, quaint and nicely displayed with cute pieces. I was able to pick up a landscape calendar for 2018 and it is absolutely gorgeous.
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Tour the house, two guided tours are offered at 11 and 12 everyday and house is open at 13.00 for free flow. I always enjoy partaking in the guided tours as you always learn something new. Like for Lady Nuffield, many thought she was a teacher in fact she was a seamstress at the now Debenhams store building.
I truly enjoyed my visit to Lord and Lady Nuffield’s home and encourage everyone to visit this 1930 time capsule. Nothing in the house has been changed, replicas are in place to protect the originals but otherwise all is the same. Take the time to tour each and every single room in the house pay special attention to Lord Nuffield’s bedroom.
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Sarah says
Looks like a great place to explore, we love our National Trust membership!
Jayne says
Autumn looks stunning in your photos. National trust membership is a fantastic investment isn’t it?
(hubby helping out)
Anosa says
It sure is for sure, I am so happy I joined the National Trust and now its giving me things to do over the weekend.
Anchal Narayan says
I love the fall colours. This place looks so beautiful. Seems like you had a great time.
Anosa says
I did thank you and yes it is such a beautiful place
TColeman says
This looks like such a beautiful place. I love rustic looking places with some great flowers and foliage!
Lauretta says
Amazing! I bet the garden would be such a beauty to behold once it’s done with all its restorations.
Akamatra says
I’d go there for the gardens alone. But with such a nice shop I’d definitely spent some money there too.
Jennifer L. | Modern Chic Mag says
Wow nuffield place looks absolutely incredible! I’d spend days in the shop alone browsing everything.
Anosa says
Hahahaha I wish the shop was bigger so I could allocate an hour or so to it just browsing too
Shannon Graham says
That looks like it would make a fun trip! i wish I had more time to travel to places like this.
Anosa says
I am so fortunate to live so close to so much natural beauty
David Jack Taylor says
I’d love to visit here. You ca’t beat a great historic location to mooch about!
Stella Kashmoney says
What an interesting looking place. I would love to explore it.
Esse D says
I love hearing the backstory of historic locations. I grew up down the street from a historical war park and would always hear the reenactment shows. When I learned about the battle that was fought in that location, it was more interesting.
Anosa says
How very interesting, I feel the same and always research this historical places or join the tour where historians give you the account of it all {at least whats known}
falcondalejan says
I think of science when you say Nuffield, so this explains a lot! Those gardens look charming.
Anosa says
Yes, every Nuffield is possible due to Lord and Lady Nuffield, we have a lot to be thankful for
Kiwi says
I never heard of Nuffield Place. If I were to go I would definitely explore the garden.
Cristina Leau says
I love the quote you started this article. I love colors and this time of the year is a joy to look outside.I also like how that shops look. I saw some stuff there I could have
Emmanuel Damian says
This looks like a great place to visit in UK! You get that autumn feels!
Ana De Jesus says
And this is why I love the UK! I love how outside of city life there are vast rolling hills and old manors and Nuffield place sounds right up my street!
Claudia Krusch says
Nuffield Place looks like a fantastic place. I would love to go explore the beautiful gardens.
Sarah Bailey says
What a lovely looking place to visit, it looks wonderful with all the leaves changing colours as well.
Clairejustineo says
It looks beautiful here 🙂 I would love to visit.
Laura @dearbearandbeany says
What a beautiful place. We love a National Trust property too and a visit to the tea room is a must for us too!
Amber says
I love autumn too! All the colors are spectacular. I would LOVE to go through the gardens.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Autumn is my favorite time of year – And I think mother nature knows this because she is playing a mean trick on me… And keeping the weather in LA to a TOASTY 100 degrees! Ha! It’s a never ending summer over here so you have me wanting to travel to Nuffield Place so I can truly enjoy the changing seasons!
Anosa says
I am so jealous of your warm weather but still loving the autumnal colours we are having here in Oxfordshire.
Joanna says
I love places like these I bet the gardens are stunning and even more so thus time of year with the different coloured leaves.
Anosa says
The gardens are gorgeous and will be even more so once they are restored to their former glory
Denay DeGuzman says
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful gem. I would love to take a cross-country excursion to visit our country’s unique landmarks and special places. Thanks so much for putting Nuffield Place on my radar!
Anosa says
You’re most welcome, we are very fortunate to have such beautiful landmarks in the UK
Jen Sky Walker says
The house is beautiful, and I love the colour combined with the leaves changing colour! I’d love to take a tour of both the house and gardens!
Anosa says
And you would be in autumnal heaven as this house and gardens are flowing in that right now
Samantha says
Wow, this is a beautiful place. It looks like a great place to go for a visit! Thanks for introducing me to it!
Anosa says
You’re most welcome Samantha and thanks for stopping by
Jenn Goggin says
This place looks beautiful! The gardens are truly amazing! I love to play local tourist and discovery new things in our area! Always so much fun!
Anosa says
It has been fun so far playing local tourist, I can not wait to share all the gems around me
Heidi Schilling Fowler says
Wow! Fall looks like the perfect time to visit Nuffield place. Those gardens are spectacular. I live in the desert and I don’t get to see the Fall colors much. Thanks for sharing those beautiful pics.
Anosa says
I felt the same way though I am sure Summer or Spring are just as gorgeous but Autumn seems to be the best so far