Hinton Ampner National Trust gardens: things to do here with children
Hinton Ampner National Trust in Hampshire is a great place for outdoor fun with kids. Add it to your list of things to do in Winchester
National Trust
Visiting Agatha Christie’s Greenway by boat
Could there be a grander way to arrive at your holiday home than by boat? This is one of three ways you can visit Agatha Christie’s Greenway – her Devon hideaway. I think a ferry ride up the River Dart is my favourite, just a touch in front of taking the steam train from Kingswear …
Coleton Aglow – party like it’s Christmas 1929 at Coleton Fishacre
One of our favourite Christmas experiences last year was Coleton Aglow at Coleton Fishacre. So it was a no-brainer to add this National Trust illuminated house and gardens to our festive bucket list. Here’s a taster of what we experienced during this 1929 Christmas-themed event: A country retreat in Devon Colton Fishacre was built by …
Buckland Abbey: a Dartmoor day out with kids
It’s not hard to understand why Sir Francis Drake bought Buckland Abbey as his home after liberating the Spanish of a haul of booty. This Tudor renovation project is located on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor in Devon, not far from Drake’s birthplace of Tavistock, and within easy reach of Plymouth. It was from where …
Family fun at Compton Castle Tudor Days
Compton Castle is one of those places where you wished the walls could talk. It’s been home to a family of famous explorers, was fortified against French raids in the 15th Century, and has been restored from a ruin. What a tale these bricks and mortar could tell! We visited this intriguing National Trust property during …
What’s so great about Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire?
During our recent long weekend in the Peak District we were spoilt for choice with great family attractions in the surrounding area. The National Trust in particular had plenty of properties for us to choose from, including Hardwick Hall – a 16th Century stately home overlooking the rolling Derbyshire landscape. We received an invite to …
First signs of Spring at Kingston Lacy National Trust
One of the first National Trust properties I recall visiting as a child was Kingston Lacy in Dorset. I remember it being a special day and one that instilled a fascination in me for all things Egyptian. I had a chance to return with the Tin Box girls on a road trip between seeing their …
Unseen Spaces at Polesden Lacey, National Trust
Nestled in the stunning Surrey Hills is Polesden Lacey – a magnificent Edwardian estate that’s seen its far share of high society gatherings. The National Trust is in the middle of restoring 18 of the house’s 200 rooms never seen by the public before. The Unseen Spaces at Polesden Lacey take you behind the scenes …
Visiting Trelissick National Trust with kids
A year ago we visited our first National Trust property for years and haven’t looked back. The combination of children’s treasure trails, wide open spaces and houses packed full of curiosities has been a winning one as our girls start to explore the world around them. At Christmas we couldn’t resist a visit to the …
A fairy tale Christmas at Enchanted Saltram, Devon
The National Trust sure knows how to do Christmas. During the past couple of weeks we’ve made a point of visiting two of our closest properties in Devon for their festive events. First up was Coleton Fishacre where we saw the gardens illuminated in spectacular fashion. Then last weekend we went to Saltram near Plymouth …