​Hello, darlings!
 
I’ve been utterly immersed with excitement since my last visit to the green rippling countryside of Somersetshire, “Ooh arr, Ooh arr!” I hear you bellow with sheer delight! Oh, and please note, this is the archaic name for such a spiffing snippet of the West-Country, which is simply known in this day and age as Somerset!
 
So, darlings, please join the gaiety for a merry jaunt down memory lane, then a bimble into the present, whilst I reveal many humorous and riveting titbits about Taunton Deane’s very own, illustrious, dynamic duo – Mr & Mrs Hill.
 
Who I recently joined for a scrumptious spot of afternoon tea in The Column Room at Hestercombe House, which is pleasantly plonked within the parish of West Monkton, and beautifully nestled on the Quantock Hills, near Taunton, Somerset.

​Hello, darlings!

In 1861, during the reign of our sovereign - Queen Victoria (curtsey please!), Mrs Isabella Beeton’s most treasured creation – Beeton’s Book of Household Management was first published. And as nature intended, she flourished into the worlds-greatest teacher of all things ‘domestic and culinary’.

In fact, Mrs Beeton’s been hailed as ‘the grandmother of the modern-day domestic goddess’ – but frankly my dears, I beg to differ! As clearly, due to her untimely farewell via the Pearly Gates, the honourable title of ‘godmother’ is a far more suitable fit – Concur?  ​