- Comet -
Trip Log: Tuesday 30th December 2025 whereby the 09:48 stopper train gets me over to New Street so that I can briefly brave the mayhem of Birmingham's Bull Ring. The Second City of course is still amidst its own festive public art trail with reindeer at various central locations. I’ve chipped away at them almost incidentally this year but I’m pleased to claim Comet to flesh out my collection - candy cane antlers and an “I wish it could be Christmas everyday” collar inscription are the standout aspects of this design along with holly leaves, blushing pink cheeks and a big bold red nose. At least I'm spared the perils of any shopping sales!
- A Memorable Moated Entrance -
Proceeding to Olton, I meet Bookworm Bygrave for the onward journey beyond Knowle into Warwickshire. Emily used to work at both Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House so knows these properties very well, with the Baddesley volunteers advising of just how busy it's been for them with the Snowman Trail proving a real hit with visitors. Tickets for the guided house tours have already sold out so we'll be concentrating on Snowman-spotting, but there's much to admire aesthetically walking around the perimeter of the moat. It is thought that the manor here may have originated in the 13th century, and one notorious owner was Nicholas Brome who murdered the parish priest (possibly on this very site) and thus had to rebuild the nearby church as penance for his sins. The Ferrers family were resident here for centuries, actively sheltering Catholic priests, and the property continued to be altered through into the 1940s.
- Two Turtle Doves -
To the trail then and we'll follow the sequence of the famous Christmas carol, taking each representation of a bestowed gift in turn. This therefore means starting with 'A Partridge in a Pear Tree' on the cobbled courtyard with its presentation of a dusky blue shell populated by pear branches and a ribbon of verse. 'Two Turtle Doves' is off to the right across a field track and displays a cute courtship theme, prominently showing the titular birds but also making room for swimming turtles and lots of leafage. Backtracking slightly towards the moat, I must declare a particular soft spot for 'Three French Hens' with its Pop Art take on beret-wearing chickens with added reference to the colours of France’s tricolore flag, mais oui!
- Five Gold Rings -
The next batch of sculptures form a well-spaced sequence around the edges of the moat, allowing for excellent views of the house’s architectural mix of medieval and Tudor elements. 'Four Calling Birds' has an autumnal palette of oranges and browns, inspired by floral folk art patterns all topped off with a red scarf and a sense of crunchy leaf fall. At the far right corner of the grounds we discover 'Five Gold Rings', complete with gleaming bands cascading down the design like interlocking hula hoops. In between the rings themselves are colourful patches of wrapping paper-styled stripes and swirls, as if the whole sculpture is a mysterious present part-way through being revealed.
- Ten Lords A Leaping -
Flanking the rear of the property is 'Six Geese A Laying', with nests for its feet and a clutch of newly-deposited eggs on show; 'Seven Swans A Swimming' meanwhile occupies a shadowy corner beneath overhanging trees from whence it portrays an icy pool - Emily loves the way the paint has been allowed to dribble down randomly towards the bottom of the sculpture. 'Eight Maids A Milking' is a blue and white homage to Dutch milkmaids whereas 'Nine Ladies Dancing' has us venturing into the walled garden amongst netting-covered cabbages; this creation boasts a a winter wonderland mountainscape populated by fir trees and musical notation. All of which brings us to another of my personal favourites, 'Ten Lords A Leaping' containing fictional peers from the House of Lords jumping around in their ermine robes.
- Twelve Drummers Drumming -
Two more to go and 'Eleven Pipers Piping' has been positioned inside a corner gazebo, thus making it slightly more secluded in terms of getting selfies. A green hat on top then blends into magical skies as Santa’s sleigh glides past in silhouette, and a scattered ensemble of bagpipe players feature front and rear. Last but not least is 'Twelve Drummers Drumming' as perched atop a slightly raised garden wall next to where the Purple Haze former Dahlia border used to grow. A golden brown gingerbread hue is detectable to the front with a marching band ring of tiny mice drummers on the back - we like it!
- Cake!!! -
We may have completed the trail but there's yet more to see as part of Baddesley Clinton's general attractions. A rummage around the bookshop is definitely on the cards even though nothing much takes Emily’s fancy - we may have to withdraw her Bookworm moniker if this shocking trend continues - whereas there’s temptation to be had in the Barn Restaurant care of restorative mugs of hot chocolate and an indulgent slice of cake apiece. Miss Bygrave opts for a sticky flapjack square and I can’t resist the Black Forest traybake, dotted with squishy glace cherries and a nice thwack of cocoa, all topped with chocolate shavings
- Four Calling Birds -
After a final few Snowman snapshots as we make our exit, we head off for an evening of Barrel Store quizzing in Birmingham (via a relaxing drink at Knowle's Ale Rooms en route). Attic Brewery's outlet in the railway arches under Snow Hill station has become an adopted haunt in recent months, and we're delighted that Zoe and Mike are joining us to bolster our trivia prowess as well as indulging in the on-site Deathrow Pizza possibilities - you effectively build your own from a checklist of available toppings and sauces. As for the quiz, it's a close run thing but Team Hoppy To Beer Here edge to victory by one point, aided by knowledge about John Cena, Oscar winning movies and Prunella Scales. What a way to finish 2025!
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