national trust Archives - James Clay Stuff

February 16, 2026

Coleton Fishacre #50places2026

I had looked into visiting Coleton Fishacre last year before my membership ran out, but I missed getting there before they closed for the winter.

They reopened on the 14th February, I hadn’t planned to go on the day they reopened for the new season, but the weather forecast was saying it was going to be sunny and dry, and after weeks of rain, it was too much of an opportunity to miss.

I left early and arrived just before the property opened. I walked to the house and waited a short while before the front door was unlocked and in I went.

Coleton Fishacre

1920s country retreat of the D’Oyly Carte family. Arts and Crafts exterior, Art Deco interiors, servants quarters, sea views.

Current saving -£28.50
One adult £17.00
Parking £3.60
Total saving £20.60
Cumulative saving £88.10
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£7.90

Virtually all the house is open to view which was nice. I explored the upper floor first and there were some amazing views of the grounds and the sea in the distance. Unfortunately most of the original furniture was sold or disposed of, however the house has been dressed to resemble how it looked when it was built in the 1920s. There was a Country Life magazine feature on the house, so they have some reference photographs they can use. The National Trust also had some replica furniture built to match the items in the photography.

After exploring the first floor, it was down to the ground floor with the main living spaces as well as the ancillary areas such as the kitchen and pantry.

It was a beautiful house and I really appreciated been able to explore virtually all the rooms in the house.

I then stopped for a cold drink in the cafe before heading into the woods for a walk. There is a viewpoint overlooking the sea which was lovely.

Overall a lovely visit to a lovely house.

February 15, 2026

Behind Closed Doors Stourhead #50places2026

I had visited Stourhead nearly ten years ago back in May 2016. I honestly did not realise that it had been so long. I had a National Trust membership in 2023, but never got back to Stourhead that year. Last year I had planned to do a Behind Closed Doors tour, but a work thing meant I had to cancel. The tour is one of the reasons why I wanted to renew my membership for 2026.

Having arrived at the property, I was pleased to see EV chargers, so I put the Funky Cat on charge. I was less pleased to see that there had been a cable theft from the rapid chargers.

I went to reception and then headed to the house.

Stourhead

One of the first grand Palladian-style villas to be built in England, with a carriage entrance leading to the piano nobile, or main floor. World-famous landscape garden with a lake set among lawns and classical temples, surrounded by trees and with sweeping views.

Current saving -£56
One adult £23.00
Parking £4.50
Total saving £27.50
Cumulative saving £67.50
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£28.50

The tour was a one hour tour and took in the parts of the house that aren’t normally open to visitors. This included the second floor rooms, which included the nursery, as well as the servants’ bedrooms. We also were taken into the basement kitchens as well.

I found the tour fascinating and really enjoyed going behind the scenes. I had enjoyed a similar tour at Dunster Castle last March. I think I will look into similar tours at other properties.

I had booked in for the tour, however the house’s state rooms weren’t open, so I will be probably heading back there sometime again this year.

After the tour I went to the cafe for a drink and a bite to eat. I had a quiche, but wasn’t that enamoured with it, too many cranberries.

I did however go and explore the gardens.

The repair of the dam, meant that I couldn’t do the full circuit of the lake, however then the rain started to come down, so I headed back to the car park and to head back home.

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Montacute House #50places2026

After enjoying my National Trust membership in 2023, I decided I would rejoin the Trust for 2025. Having also enjoyed my visits across 2025, I made the decision to renew for 2026. There are quite a few properties that I missed in 2025 which I want to visit.

Montacute House

Montacute is a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design. With its towering walls of glass, glow of ham stone and surrounding garden and parkland, it is a place of beauty and wonder.

Current saving -£71
One adult £15.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £15.00
Cumulative saving £40
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£56

I have been to Montacute House before, but I didn’t visit last year. It’s quite local to me, being just over an hour away by car. I had visited Montacute House before in August 2016 and January 2023.

I didn’t go there last year as part of my membership. The main reason was that the upper floors were closed. The staircases had been closed for safety reasons back in August 2023. They are still closed, but the plans to fix them are now in place.

On both the previous visits the upper floors were open and I was able to walk along the magnificent long gallery on the second floor. This photograph was from my 2023 visit.

I am planning to make a return visit later in the year when the staircases are fixed. After visiting Montacute House I did consider visiting one of the other nearby properties, but they were all closed for the winter. When I do visit them later in the year I might make a quick visit to Montacute House and explore the gardens when they’re dry.

January 17, 2026January 18, 2026

Too wet for Hughenden

I was travelling to London and I has planned to take a break on the journey and visit Hughenden. I had been before nearly three years ago.

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

I didn’t get there in 2025, so was on my list for this year. However as I drove down the M4 the rain was getting worse and heavy. I made the decision that it was too wet for a visit. I would have to go another day.

January 11, 2026

Frosty Dyrham Park #50places2026

I have been to Dyrham Park before, but I didn’t visit last year. It’s quite local to me, being less than an hour away by car. My last visit was in May 2023, I had also visited back in April 2017.

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.

Current saving -£96
One adult £21.00
Parking £4.00
Total saving £25.00
Cumulative saving £25
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving -£71

It was a rather frosty day, but the sun was shining. I left it a little time so that it would be less icy and so less slippery.

When I got to Dyrham Park, it was obvious that quite a few other people had the same idea that I had, the car park was heaving and there were lots of people around.

I walked around the house, something I hadn’t really noticed (or remembered) was how Dutch the house was. Speaking to one of the volunteers it was apparent that in the late 1600s and early 1700s grand houses in England were often influenced by Dutch furnishings and decorations. This was often lost in the 1800s when houses were refurbished or redecorated. This didn’t happen with Dyrham Park.

There are two grand staircases in the house, both of which are rather impressive.

After exploring the house, I went to the café with the intention of having soup and a scone. Not only was it rather busy, but they didn’t have soup on the menu. I explored the gardens and visited the church next to the house. The parklands were closed due to the weather, so I walked back to the car park using the paths.

This year I have planned to visit fifty (different) places.

December 17, 2025December 14, 2025

1970s Christmas at Hanbury Hall

I had planned to visit Hanbury Hall, after being told on my previous visit that Hanbury Hall did a 1970s themed Christmas. As I was going to be up in Worcestershire I would visit Croft Castle. I also went to Berrington Hall. I did leave time though to get to Hanbury Hall. I arrived at Hanbury Hall an hour before it closed.

Hanbury Hall

A country retreat in the heart of Worcestershire. The William and Mary-style country house and garden, originally a stage-set for summer parties, offer a glimpse into life at the turn of the 18th century.

Current saving £348.40
One adult £17.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £17.00
Cumulative saving £456.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £365.40

I absolutely loved the 1970s and 1980s themed Christmas.

It wasn’t just decorations, across the house were lots of memorabilia and items from those decades. They had magazines, books, games, toys and even kitchen equipment. In some rooms they had old TVs showing Christmas programmes from the 1980s.

The whole thing was awesome and I am glad I made the time to visit.

After enjoying my nostalgic trip down memory lane, I went to the cafe and had a lovely cheese scone.

December 16, 2025December 14, 2025

A festive visit to Berrington Hall

Made the decision to visit Berrington Hall. I hadn’t planned to visit Berrington Hall, but on my way to Croft Castle as well as the brown National Trust sign to Croft Castle next to it was a sign for Berrington Hall. When I was at Croft Castle, I checked the map and saw that Berrington Hall was just six miles away and would take about fifteen minutes to get there. So, no brainer really, I headed off to Berrington Hall. I arrived to find the main car park was full, and it was a little challenging to find the overflow car park.

Berrington Hall had gone for a Georgian Christmas theme.

We invite you to celebrate Christmas in true 18th-century style at Berrington Hall. Wander through the house as it glows with festive charm and experience the warmth, refinement and rituals of a Georgian country Christmas. Discover traditional decorations, atmospheric lighting, fireplaces filled with dried flowers, magnificent Christmas trees and a unique ‘below stairs’ experience.

They had also invited the Ludlow Male Voice Choir to sing carols in the house, which added to the festive feel to the place.

Berrington Hall

Standing proud and strong, this fine Georgian mansion sits within ‘Capability’ Brown’s final garden and landscape. In the house, discover jewel-like interiors, designed by Henry Holland and home to the Harley, Rodney and Cawley families. There are plenty of walks through the parkland through woodlands, wildflower meadows and around Berrington’s pool, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The gardens are a treat for all the senses throughout the year, with bluebells and blossom in Spring, roses in summer and apples in autumn.

Current saving £331.40
One adult £17.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £17.00
Cumulative saving £439.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £348.40

It was interesting to compare Berrington Hall with Croft Castle. Berrington Hall had a certain Georgian elegance in the decoration, whereas Croft Castle was a more simplistic affair.

There was an impressive staircase.

The first floor was closed to visitors, but they had opened up the basement kitchens. I would like to make a return visit and explore the first floor rooms.

I did enjoy looking at the laundry room with the huge drying racks.

I went to the stables café and had coffee and a toasted teacake. They did forget my teacake, so I had to chase that. It was a rather nice teacake.

December 15, 2025December 14, 2025

Christmas at Croft Castle

I had planned to visit Hanbury Hall, after being told on my previous visit that Hanbury Hall did a 1970s themed Christmas. As I was going to be up in Worcestershire I would visit another property as well. I looked over the National Trust website and chose to go to Croft Castle.

Croft Castle

Situated on the English-Welsh border, Croft is a quiet, ancient place steeped in British history and politics with a picturesque castle and medieval parkland re-fashioned during the 18th century. Surrounded by 1,500 acres of woods, park and farmland. Take a way marked walk to discover an abundance of nature at this special place. The two acre walled garden is a wildlife haven, attracting butterflies, bees, birds and insects. It is the perfect place to enjoy the changing seasons, with daffodils and blossom in spring, roses and wisteria in summer and apples in autumn.

Current saving £314.40
One adult £17.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £17.00
Cumulative saving £422.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £331.40

It took over two hours to drive to Croft Castle, up the Wye Valley, through Hereford and pass Leominster. I drove up the road to Croft Castle and parked the car.

The house had a Victorian themed Christmas decoration.

The decorations were lovely and the house has some impressive rooms.

Wander through Croft Castle’s richly decorated rooms and experience Christmas past with a fresh, imaginative twist. From a twinkling forest of trees filling the Entrance Hall with a magical welcome, to the cosy Nursery capturing the excitement of Christmas Eve, each space invites you into a festive story.

Did think about getting some soup from the café but the café was very busy, no free tables and a long queue. The roasted parsnip soup sounded rather nice though.

December 12, 2025

Christmas at Tyntesfield

After enjoying my National Trust membership in 2023, I decided I would rejoin the Trust for 2025.

I visited Tyntesfield back in February and again on a lovely sunny day in August. I was back to see Christmas at Tyntesfield.

Back in 2023 I had visited Tyntesfield at Christmas, and had enjoyed the Victorian Christmas themed rooms. The theme this year , though festive, was based around fairy tales and other stories. There was Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Alice in Wonderland, to name a few. It was nice, but I think I preferred the Victorian look they did back in 2023.

Tyntesfield

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

Current saving £289.40
One adult £20.00
Parking – £5.00
Total saving £25.00
Cumulative saving £405.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £314.40

November 18, 2025

Another visit to Hanbury Hall

After enjoying my National Trust membership in 2023, I decided I would rejoin the Trust for 2025.

I visited Hanbury Hall in 2023 in a flying visit and made a return visit earlier this year in May.

So with time to spare and a lovely sunny day I made a return trip to Hanbury Hall.

I arrived and parked the car. Having had my membership card scanned I made my way to the house.

I really love the walk up to the house, the impressive entrance and front lawns.

I really enjoyed exploring the house and the murals are a real highlight of the entrance hall and staircase. I also liked the concept of the green room, where you are able to sit and read for a while.

I enjoyed walking around the house, had a nice chat with some of the volunteers. They did say that they have a 1970s and 1980s theme at Christmas reflecting the actual use of the house at that time by the tenants.

I think that means I might make a return visit to Hanbury Hall in December.

After exploring the house, I went to the café, with the intention of having soup and a cheese scone. That didn’t work out, the soup was celeriac, which I don’t really like, and they had no cheese scones. So, I went with the special, which was a BBQ pulled pork bap. I had that with a coffee.

My final plan was to visit the shop and buy a tea towel, realised they didn’t have a shop, so no tea towel this time.

Hanbury Hall

Current saving £272.40
One adult £17.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £17.00
Cumulative saving £380.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £289.40

This is an impressive house and I really enjoyed my visit.