Category: national trust

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Hardwick #50places2026

I had actually chosen to visit Hardwick Hall as I was on my way back from visiting Yorkshire and they had (according to the website) EV charging facilities. For me this meant that I could stop there, charge the car, enjoy visiting the house, walk the grounds and still have time for a scone and a pot of tea.

However… the EV chargers were not by the house, so I couldn’t charge the car. 

Of course I got my card scanned and headed off to the amazing house.

Hardwick

An English interpretation of Italian Renaissance Architecture. This impressive masterpiece casts a dramatic silhouette across the Derbyshire skyline.

Current saving £164.30
One adult £23.00
Parking Free
Total saving £23.00
Cumulative saving £283.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £187.30

There were some amazing authentic rooms. It would appear (after a conversation with a volunteer) that after the death of Bess of Hardwick the woman behind the building of the hall.

Bess of Hardwick was the richest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I, and her house was conceived to be a conspicuous statement of her wealth and power. 

A wide, winding, stone staircase leads up to the state rooms on the second floor, which include one of the largest long galleries in any English house. A tapestry-hung great chamber with a spectacular plaster frieze illustrating hunting scenes has been little altered.

The rooms get higher ceilings as you go up to different floors. Impressing those who entered the house.

After exploring the house, I went to see the ruins of the previous hall.

I drove to the East Midlands Designer Outlet. It was busy and I put the Funky Cat on charge there.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden #50places2026

I have been to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire before this visit, once in 1979 on a school trip and then again in 1993 when I was visiting York on a short holiday. I was back in North Yorkshire again and one of the things I wanted to do was visit the ruins of Fountains Abbey once more.

Having arrived and put the car on charge, I headed to reception to get my card scanned. After that it was into the grounds. I first went to Fountains Hall, which is a historical manor house in the grounds of Fountains Abbey. I don’t remember going there in 1993. I visited the mill as well.

It was then onto the ruins themselves, which are incredible. It was a huge building and the ruins are awe inspiring.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Ancient abbey ruins and an awe-inspiring water garden and deer park. This World Heritage Site is a uniquely blended landscape full of secrets, curiosities and breath-taking views.

Current saving £143.30
One adult £21.00
Parking Free
Total saving £21.00
Cumulative saving £260.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £164.30

This National Trust property is ruined, was burnt down by Henry VIII following his arguments with Rome over divorce.

After exploring the ruins I walked through the water gardens to the café. There I had a coffee and a scone as one does. I walked back to the ruins, this time though up the hill and to the viewing platform. 

I really enjoyed my visit to Fountains Abbey.

Though I was at the University of York in the late 1980s, I never actually got around to visiting Fountains Abbey again, in the main as when I was at University I didn’t have a car, and public transport wasn’t always an option back then.

I keep meaning to visit again, we went to York back in 2013 when we went on holiday to North Yorkshire, but the cold weather at the time (it snowed a lot) meant that we kept to indoor attractions such as the Castle Museum and the National Railway Museum.

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Back to Clevedon Court

One National Trust property which is just down the road for me, is Clevedon Court. I was thinking about getting some air, and decided to pop over, have a look at the house, the gardens, and maybe get a coffee.

Clevedon Court

Medieval manor house and 18th-century terraced garden with wide views of the Mendip Hills. Clevedon Court is an outstanding 14th-century manor house. 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 £130.30
One adult £13.00
Parking Free
Total saving £13.00
Cumulative saving £239.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £143.30

While much of the house is now open to the public, some parts remain private. This is because the Elton family still uses the house, and they continue to stay there. The house also has limited opening times and only recently opened after the winter break, even then it is only open three days during the week.

I enjoyed exploring the house, it was quite busy. I then walked around the stepped gardens at the back of the house. The gardens are also a highlight and are well worth exploring.

This year I have planned to visit fifty (new) places, however I already visited Clevedon Court as part of that series of blog posts last year.

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A la Ronde #50places2026

A la Ronde

After visiting Castle Drogo, it was only a short drive to A la Ronde, which is just past Exeter on the road to Exmouth.

A la Ronde

Characterful 16-sided house and grounds with views of the Exe estuary, built in 1796 by cousins Jane & Mary Parminter. Filled with curious mementoes of their Grand Tour travels, and handcrafted decorations from shell, feather and paper.

Current saving £118.30
One adult £12.00
Parking Free
Total saving £12.00
Cumulative saving £226.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £130.30

I loved this house, this is not a grand mansion, but certainly is a large house across four floors. The odd shaped house has odd shaped rooms. The house was the brainchild of two cousins, who after touring Europe for ten years wanted a house that echoed their experiences. A later relative, as they do, converted the house, adding another floor to the property. The top floor is now closed to visitors, and was more of a gallery decorated with shells and feathers. It is now too delicate for people to go and see. What I initially didn’t realise that there is also a lower ground floor that comprises the kitchen and store rooms.

This was an beautiful house and an incredible experience. Certainly a place I would like to visit again.

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Castle Drogo #50places2026

I had planned to visit Castle Drogo last week, but in the end decided not to, as I knew I was heading off to Oxford on Monday and needed time to do stuff at home. So, with the sun shining, I drove down the M5 to Castle Drogo.

Castle Drogo

Where dramatic architecture meets innovative family home. A 20th century castle overlooking the Teign Gorge.

Current saving £96.30
One adult £18.00
Parking £4.00
Total saving £22.00
Cumulative saving £214.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £118.30

This is for all intents and purposes a modern castle. Construction started in 1911 and though the family moved in, in 1926, it still wasn’t finished.

The castle was given to the National Trust in 1974, the first building constructed in the twentieth century that the Trust acquired.

It is one of those buildings that for me, is just doesn’t work. It feels like a fake castle, and that isn’t just because it is fake, but I think the way it was built using blocks of granite makes it look quite artificial. In some places it looks like concrete bunkers. I think the issue is that it is too neat and tidy, too new. Which isn’t surprising as it is less than a hundred years old. You can’t really compare this castle to, say Chirk Castle, which was built in 1295 and became a family home there hundred years later.

Inside the layout feels strange with varying staircases, rooms on different levels and feeling quite, I should say cosy, but actually what I want to say is claustrophobic.

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed my visit to the castle, it was a great experience to explore the rooms, and it felt like most of the castle was open to visitors. I really enjoyed going through the kitchen and store rooms. I was equally impressed with the hydro electric that was installed, complete with batteries, a sustainable house well before its time.

The National Trust has many houses you can visit, this is one I did want to go and see, and all in all, it was an enjoyable trip.

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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.

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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.

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 Knightshayes is not my on my #50places26 list.

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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.

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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.

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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.