national trust Archives - James Clay Stuff

March 2, 2026

Killerton once more

It was lovely dry and sunny day, so I headed down to Devon to visit a couple of National Trust properties. I headed down the M5 first to Knightshayes and after visiting there I drove down to Killterton.

I have visited Killerton twice before, once in June 2023 and then again in May 2025.

It’s a lovely house which is dressed as a 1920s house, though the first floor is an exhibition area for the National Trust’s fashion collection.

Killerton

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

Current saving £74.50
One adult £17.00
Parking £4.80
Total saving £21.80
Cumulative saving £192.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £96.30

Upon arrival I headed to the Killerton Kitchen Cafe for some lunch.

After lunch I went into the house itself and enjoyed exploring the different rooms and chatting with the volunteers.

I did have a look at the fashion exhibition upstairs, mainly I think to walk up and down the staircase. I then did another tour of the house.

After enjoying my walk around the house, I went for a walk in the grounds.

This year I have planned to visit fifty places (as I did last year). Each time I visit a place I will post a blog post and some photographs. I can’t repeat places, and in an extra twist I can’t use the fifty places I visited in 2025 in the list as well which is why Killerton is not my on my #50places26 list.

March 1, 2026March 1, 2026

Back to Knightshayes

It was lovely dry and sunny day, so I headed down to Devon to visit a couple of National Trust properties. I headed down the M5 towards Tiverton and then to Knightshayes.

I have visited Knightshayes twice before, once in January 2023 and then again in May 2025.

Knightshayes

Explore vibrant post-war gardens, miles of 19th-century parkland and grand Gothic Revival architecture by Victorian visionary, William Burges.

Current saving £52.70
One adult £17.00
Parking £4.80
Total saving £21.80
Cumulative saving £170.50
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £74.50

This is a place of splendour. There are some incredible rooms and delightful furniture in the house. This time the Burges bedroom was closed, but I had seen that before on my last visit.

As with most National Trust properties I visit, I walked around the house twice, you often miss things on that first wander, so I always appreciate the second look. After my tour of the house, I went for a walk in the woodland garden.

I did think about lunch, but the cafe was very busy and there was something of a queue. Collecting my car I headed off.

February 23, 2026

Misty Corfe Castle #50places2026

After visiting Kingston Lacy, the weather was holding and I realised I had some time, so made the last minutes decision to head to Corfe Castle, which was just twenty miles away.

As I drove the weather did start to deteriorate and by the time I arrived at Corfe Castle there was mist and drizzle. So, much so, that as I arrived the castle almost appeared out of the of mist.

I parked in the National Trust car park, and was pleased to see they also had EV chargers. I didn’t put the car on charge, but with hindsight, it might have been a good idea. At the time I had given the car a 100% charge at Kingston Lacy and hadn’t used that much driving to Corfe Castle.

After sorting out a parking ticket, I headed to the castle. There is a nice scenic route around the castle mound, but it was looking like it might be quite muddy.

Having walked through the village I headed to the castle entrance.

Corfe Castle

Royal castle established by William the Conqueror and partially destroyed in the English Civil War. Now a majestic ruin.

Current saving £33.70
One adult £14.00
Parking £5.00
Total saving £19.00
Cumulative saving £148.70
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £52.70

I had been to the castle before in March 2018. I had also seen it from a steam train back in May 2004. The weather had been quite good in March, dry and clear and the views from the castle were incredible. This time, it was just misty.

This is an incredible ruined castle, you can see where parts of the gatehouse shifted down the hill caused by the work of sappers attempting to breach the fortifications.

The castle is undergoing a three-year, £2 million conservation project looking at the stonework and preservation of decorative and historic elements.

I really enjoyed walking up to the castle and exploring the ruins. I quite liked how you can just explore the ruins and, well apart from the areas undergoing conservation, you can pretty much go anywhere within the ruins.

I would guess the views are pretty impressive, however on this visit it was just mist and cloud. I might head back there in the summer.

February 22, 2026

Kingston Lacy #50places2026

Having looked at various National Trust properties, many were still closed for the winter, one which was open and I had never visited before was Kingston Lacy down in Dorset. It was about two hours away so wasn’t going to be a quick visit.

The flooded Somerset levels were quite incredible, I was a little concerned that I might find myself on a flooded road, but I was lucky and there was no serious flooding.

Having arrived at Kingston Lacy, the entrance road was flooded. I headed to the EV charging and I put the Funky Cat on charge. I went to reception and got my membership card scanned and headed to the house.

Kingston Lacy

A lavish family home, re-imagined as a Venetian Palace, in the Dorset countryside. Classic English garden with Fernery, herbaceous borders, formal Parterre and Kitchen Garden, surrounded by Japanese-inspired planting and colourful woodland.

Current saving £12.70
One adult £21.00
Parking Free
Total saving £21.00
Cumulative saving £129.70
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £33.70

This was an incredible house. Most of the ground floor was open. Sadly, the upper floors were closed, which was a pity. I may have to make a return visit.

Many of the rooms impressed me, though the huge windows by the stairs were amazing, inspired by the Great Exhibition in London, these had huge panes of glass made by Pilkington. Went around the house again.

I liked the library and the main salon with the piano. The grand hall was very grand The double height room was very impressive.

Did think about going for lunch, but the café was very busy and there was a long queue.

Went for a walk in the grounds instead. Walked through the woodland to the Kitchen Garden. Had a coffee from the coffee kiosk and it was warm enough to sit outside on the picnic tables.

Walked through the Japanese Garden and the Formal Gardens and then back to the house.

I then went back to the stables, but the café was still busy.

Went to the shop, was tempted to get another tea towel, but I have a number of National Trust tea towels, so left it.

February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

Greenway #50places2026

As with Coleton Fishacre, I had looked into visiting Greenway last year before my membership ran out, but I missed getting there before they closed for the winter. The property is only a few miles from Coleton Fishacre, so after enjoying a few hours at Coleton Fishacre I headed off to visit Greenway.

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.

You do need to book parking when visiting the property, so I planned my visit around the car parking booking. If you came by train, boat, or bicycle, then you can just turn up, otherwise you will need to book parking, and note that it does “sell” out quite quickly.

Upon arrival my car park booking was checked and then I went to the car park. As a member I can park for free, once I got my parking ticket sorted and in the car I headed off to the house.

Greenway

Georgian house with 1950s interiors, holiday home to Agatha Christie and her family’s varied collections. Agatha Christie called Greenway ‘the loveliest place in the world’ and treasured it as a holiday home for her and her family. They filled it with items dear to them, brought to Greenway from Ashfield, Agatha’s childhood home, and from their travels and extensive collections.

Current saving -£7.90
One adult £17.00
Parking £3.60
Total saving £20.60
Cumulative saving £108.70
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £12.70

This was quite a large house. Across the house are various collections that the family amassed over the years.

I liked the pocket watch collection. The house was very much dressed as a 1950s house. Within the house are lots of references to the novels that Agatha Christie wrote including some rare first editions.

As well as the house, I took a walk in the grounds. The boat house was closed, but I walked down to it anyhow.

I stopped for a coffee and a cheese scone, however they didn’t have any, so I had a toasted teacake instead.

This visit also means that I have already saved the cost of my National Trust membership for 2026 and I am only six weeks into the year. Last year I “broke even” in March. In 2023 though managed to cover my membership cost by the end of January.

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.

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.