Bits and pieces, news, views, reviews and stuff
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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 £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.
Coughton Court is an imposing Tudor house set in beautiful gardens with a collection of Catholic treasures.
Having read about how the management of Coughton Court was reverting to the Throckmorton family, I had it on my list of places to visit this year. Coughton Court was going to close for the winter (and for free entry for National Trust members) on the 2nd November. My original plan was to visit on the final weekend. However the weather on the Saturday was terrible. When I looked at the weather for Sunday it was much better. However when I got up on Sunday, I thought more about the trip. It would have meant a ninety minute journey up there (and the same back) along with some charging time (the car was low on charge). I also thought that there would be other people like me who would be visiting. Throw in that house entry is by timed ticket (not bookable) and the website said tickets are likely to run out earlier on busy days. I made the decision that I wouldn’t make the trip. I might go next year, but will have to pay for entry.
I have been to Greys Court before, visiting in May 2023.
Like on my previous visit, inside I was reminded me of my grandparents’ houses and flats. Part of the reason was the furniture in the house was more 1960s and 1970s than the 19th Century.
There is always that compromise between preservation, conservation and restoration. Some National Trust properties try to restore the house to what it was like in the 19th century, other times as with Greys Court they preserve what it was like when it was passed to the National Trust.
Greys Court
An intimate family home and peaceful estate set in the rolling hills of the Chilterns. This picturesque 16th-century mansion and tranquil gardens were home to the Brunner family until recent years. The house exudes a welcoming atmosphere with a well-stocked kitchen and homely living rooms. The series of walled gardens is a colourful patchwork of interest set amid medieval ruins.
Current saving £254.40
One adult £18.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £18.00
Cumulative saving £363.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £272.40
Having seen photographs on line I knew I wanted to take advantage of my National Trust membership and make a visit to Waddesdon Manor in Oxfordshire. It is a bit of a hike from Weston-super-Mare to the house, but I arrived in plenty of time for my booked timed entry for the house.
There is a huge car park and I didn’t realise until I was about to leave that there is free EV charging as well. The house is about a 20-30 minute walk from the car park, however there is a shuttle bus for which there is a £2.50 charge (and National Trust members have to pay). Unlike most other National Trust properties, though Waddesdon Manor is owned by the National Trust, it is managed by the Rothschild Foundation. So the experience is slightly different. Waddesdon Manor is also one of the most popular National Trust houses and gets lots of visitors. I was there on a Sunday and though it was busy, I wouldn’t say it was excessively so, then again it was October.
Waddesdon Manor
French Renaissance-style château, built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1874 to house his collection of fine art, landscaped gardens, aviary and woodland playground.
Current saving £229.90
One adult £27.00
Parking – Free
Shuttle Bus – £2.50
Total saving £24.50
Cumulative saving £345.60
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £254.40
I took the bus up to the house and was rather impressed. This was very much a French Renaissance inspired château. It reminded me of some of the houses and château I had seen on my trips to France.
Even though I was about ten minutes early, I was able to gain entry to the house.
I really enjoyed walked around the house. This was a very decadent property where you could see money was no object. Everything from the marble walls to the gilded furniture, you could see money had been thrown at the house. Waddesdon Manor wasn’t a family home, it was a party house, a place to entertain and show off.
I really liked the staircases which were on each side of the house.
There were also some interesting exhibitions on display as well.
I was a little disappointed with the catering facilities, well the Manor Restaurant actually looked really interesting with some tasty options, but it was only later that I realised you really needed to pre-book, and it certainly wasn’t cheap. Not a place you could just drop by for a slice of cake and a pot of tea. There was a coffee car, but there was a big queue. It was also later when I discovered there was another place, the Stables Café. Okay so I was not really disappointed with the catering outlets, I was disappointed with myself for not knowing or discovering them.
I enjoyed walking outside the house and enjoying the splendour of the building and the architecture.
After my visit, I walked down to the car park rather than take the shuttle bus. This was easier (as it was downhill) and it was a nice walk down.
I do think I would like to make a return visit some point in the future.