1Welcome, everybody, to the lovely house and gardens of Rosewood,
2once the home of the famous writer, Sebastian George.
3He bought the house in 1902
4although he had first seen it two years earlier.
5At that time, the owners let it out to a tenant
6because George was too slow making up his mind to buy it.
7When it came back on the market, there was no hesitation
8and he bought it immediately, for £9,300,
9even though the house had no bathroom, no running water upstairs, and no electricity.
10When he came here, he'd been married for ten years.
11During that time, he'd become one of the most famous writers in the English-speaking world.
12His professional success was enormous,
13but his personal life wasn't as successful.
14He was no longer on speaking terms with his brother
15and had been devastated by the death at the age of seven of his elder daughter, Josephine.
16Moving to Rosewood allowed the family to start a new life.
17George regarded Rosewood as a pure example of a traditional country house of this part of England
18and did some of his most successful writing here.
19The house and its grounds became the family haven
20and their escape to privacy and quiet.
21The walls, and the mullioned windows were built of the local sandstone,
22the tiles on the roofs and the bricks of the chimney stack were baked from local clay,
23and the wooden structures inside came from oak trees which grow around here.
24Now, please look at the map I've given you of the house and gardens.
25We're here at the Information Centre.
26Follow the path marked with the arrow
27and the first area you come to is the orchard on your left.
28As you go further down the path, there's the kitchen garden on the right
29and as you go round the first sharp corner
30you will find, to your left, an area where different types of pear tree have been planted
31as well as some lovely flowers,
32and this is known as Pear Alley - designed by George himself.
33Next to this is the greenhouse
34where some exotic plants and fruits are grown.
35Follow the path round the second corner
36and on your right you will see the entrance to the Mulberry Garden
37with its 500-year-old tree.
38Past the Mulberry Garden, follow the path until you reach the front of the house.
39I suggest you spend a good hour wandering around this lovely building.
40A guide takes visitor groups round every two hours.
41If you would like to purchase any of George's books or other souvenirs,
42then leave the house by the side entrance,
43where you will find our shop, which is situated between the house and the garage
44which contains the magnificent old Rolls-Royce car
45which used to belong to George.
46I expect by this time you may also be in need of a rest and some refreshment.
47Most visitors are, so why don't you visit the tea room on the far side of the garage?
48If you have time, there is a lovely walk down towards the River Dudwell.
49For me, this is the best part of the estate.
50This isn't on the map but it is all clearly signposted.
51You cross the field which spreads along the banks of the river.
52In spring, this area is well worth a visit.
53Spend a minute or two watching the water pass by underneath as you cross the footbridge,
54and then continue along the River Walk through the woodland.
55On a hot summer's day the trees along this path provide welcome shade.
56Eventually, you come to the water mill
57which used to provide the electricity for the house -
58only about four hours every evening - in George's time.
59And, finally, for those of you who would like to see stunning views of the surrounding countryside
60and who are a little bit more energetic,
61when you return from the mill, take the first turning on your left
62and climb up to the viewpoint.
63You won't regret it.
64Enjoy your visit!