Killerton

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

Killerton

A family home and a great estate. Glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland with fine 18th-century house.

Current saving £188.85

Family ticket £38.50

Parking £4.00

Total saving £42.50

Cumulative saving £365.15

Membership cost £133.80

Net cumulative saving £231.35

Continue reading “Killerton”

Polesden Lacey

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

Polesden Lacey

Edwardian country retreat of socialite, Margaret Greville. Home to her extensive collection of paintings, ceramics and fine French furniture.

Current saving £169.85

One adult £15.00

Parking £4.00

Total saving £19.00

Cumulative saving £322.65

Membership cost £133.80

Net cumulative saving £188.85

Continue reading “Polesden Lacey”

Mendip Hills

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

You don’t need a membership though to visit the Mendip Hills. We walked up Crooks Peak, before walking towards Wavering Down, we then walked back to where we had parked the car.

Mendip Hills

Dramatic gorges and ancient woodland rising above the Somerset Levels.

Current saving £169.85

No admission fee

Total saving £0

Cumulative saving £303.65

Membership cost £133.80

Cumulative saving £169.85
Continue reading “Mendip Hills”

Dyrham Park

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

Dyrham Park

Dyrham Park is a Baroque country house in an ancient deer park near the village of Dyrham in South Gloucestershire, England. The house, with the attached orangery and stable block is a Grade I listed building, while the park is Grade II* listed on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

The current house was built for William Blathwayt in stages during the 17th and early 18th centuries on the site of a previous manor house, with the final facade being designed by William Talman. The house is a fine example of Baroque architecture, with its symmetrical facade, pediment, and Ionic columns. The interior is equally impressive, with its ornate plasterwork, paneling, and furniture.

The parkland at Dyrham is also of great interest. It was landscaped in the 18th century in the style of Capability Brown, with sweeping lawns, lakes, and woodlands. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

Dyrham Park is now owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. It is a popular tourist destination, and is particularly well-known for its Christmas events. Visitors can visit the house and admire the Baroque architecture and interior, explore the parkland and enjoy the scenery and wildlife, take part in one of the many events that are held at the park throughout the year, such as concerts, festivals, and workshops, have a picnic in the park, go for a walk or run in the park, or visit the nearby village of Dyrham.

Current saving £131.85

Two Adult Tickets £34.00

Parking £4.00

Total saving £38.00

Cumulative saving £303.65

Membership cost £133.80

Cumulative saving £169.85

Continue reading “Dyrham Park”

Osterley Park and House

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

On my way back from London I stopped at Osterley Park and House for a quick look at the house and a walk in the park.

Osterley Park and House

Osterley Park and House is a Georgian country estate in west London, that straddles the London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow. Originally dating from the 1570s, the estate contains a number of Grade I and II listed buildings, with the park listed as Grade II*. The main house was remodelled by Robert Adam between 1761 and 1765. The National Trust took charge of Osterley in 1991 and the house and park are open to visitors.

The house is a fine example of Georgian architecture, with a grand entrance hall, elegant reception rooms, and a beautiful garden. The park is also worth exploring, with its woodlands, lakes, and formal gardens. Osterley Park and House is a popular tourist destination, and is a great place to learn about Georgian history and culture.

Current saving £110.85

Adult Ticket £14.00

Parking £7.00

Total saving £21.00

Cumulative saving £265.65

Membership cost £133.80

Net cumulative saving £131.85

Never really a home this house was more of a status symbol. Continue reading “Osterley Park and House”

Clevedon Court

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

Clevedon Court has a limited opening season and isn’t open every day, so having the time and coinciding with Clevedon Court being open, we popped over for a visit.

Clevedon Court

Clevedon Court is an outstanding 14th-century manor house with an 18th-century terraced garden. Purchased by Abraham Elton in 1709, this remarkable survivor from the medieval period has been the ancestral home of the Elton family ever since.

Current saving £90.85

Two Adult Tickets £20.00

Parking n/a

Total saving £20.00

Cumulative saving £244.65

Membership cost £133.80

Cumulative saving £110.85

This is quite a small property compared to other National Trust properties that you can visit. Continue reading “Clevedon Court”

Kedleston Hall

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

I stopped at Kedleston Hall for lunch on my way to Leeds.

Kedleston Hall

Kedleston Hall is one of the finest and most complete examples of an 18th-century show-palace and parkland in Britain. Step inside and discover the Curzon family’s collection of fine art, furniture, and Asian objects.

Current saving £75.85

Adult Ticket £15.00

Parking n/a

Total saving £15.00

Cumulative saving £224.65

Membership cost £133.80

Net cumulative saving £90.85

There is a long drive up to the house. Continue reading “Kedleston Hall”

I didn’t go to Tyntesfield

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

I didn’t actually go to Tyntesfield, but my daughter used our membership to visit with a friend’s family.

Tyntesfield

An ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house with extensive garden and parkland, just a stone’s throw from Bristol

Current saving £67.35

Child Ticket £8.50

Parking n/a

Total saving £8.50

Cumulative saving £209.65

Membership cost £133.80

Cumulative saving £75.85

Visiting Chirk Castle

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

Chirk Castle

A 13th-century Marcher castle, that from 1595 became the home of the Myddelton family for over 400 years.

Current saving £52.35

One adult £15.00

Parking free

Total saving £15.00

Cumulative saving £201.15

Membership cost £133.80

Net cumulative saving £67.35

There is a lovely view as you drive to the car park. Continue reading “Visiting Chirk Castle”

Hughenden

For Christmas I got a National Trust membership. It’s being a few years since I was last a member, but now looking forward to visiting new places and going back to places we have been to before.

Back in 2016 I did start to keep a note of how much we saved with the membership, but looking back over the blog, I never kept up to date with that, but with this membership I am intending to blog about the visits we do this year and the savings we made.

Hughenden

Red brick manor set in the Chiltern Hills. Former home to Benjamin Disraeli and a secret World War Two operation.

Current saving £38.35

One adult £14.00

Parking free

Total saving £14.00

Cumulative saving £186.15

Membership cost £133.80

Net cumulative saving £52.35

After parking at the top of the hill, you walk through a wood, past the stables (where the cafe and shop are) and find yourself at the house. Continue reading “Hughenden”