So we Joined the National Trust

RunJumpScrap

10 years ago

I have a lot of happy memories as a child going rambling with my Dad and brother around some of the National Trust parks in the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales (of course being a Yorkshire girl myself!). My Dad was an avid walker and loved the beautiful scenery. My Grandma and Grandad were also really keen on the flower gardens and picnics in the sun. I used to think it was a tad boring as a child but hey I’ve become an old fart and I now love it all too. I have done the Yorkshire 3 Peaks twice for my Dad, as he loved it so I definitely have a place for it in my soppy little heart.

A couple of my friends had joined the National Trust and I suggested it to hubby and we thought why not?

We have been to a couple of spots close to where we live and I’m amazed that I really had no clue what beautiful places are really so close. If you read any of my summaries, I much prefer pictures to tell the story so here you go:

Baddesley Clinton

These piccys are courtesy of my friend’s hubby James. If you want to check out more of his photos click here as they are stunning.

We loved it here. There was a Tudor House with 500 years of history to go around (which satisfies my nosey brain). This was great except the gremlin was hungry and was a grumpy bear all the way around! My friend Louise did enjoy dressing up and posing a lot at the end of the tour around.

We had a picnic after the house tour and let the girls roam free on the lawn. A lot of the places have games you can play so we had a go at badminton and skittles.

We then had a browse around the gardens, including a vegetables garden. It was brilliant for the little ones. Tonnes of space to roam about and explore. It was immaculate which is a definite plus; the gardens so well kept. Also great facilities and a little shop. At the ripe old age of 30, I still love buying tack from the gift shop!

Packwood House

This is also another house that was restored back to former Tudor glory in the 20th century (get me some history). These piccys are courtesy of the hubster.

It has a brilliant kitchen garden which my gremlin loved. She sat in a little house and did some chalk drawing, sniffed all the flowers and carried an apple around, which she licked and then chucked!

We sat on the lawn outside for a picnic but similarly to Baddesley Clinton, there were games you could play and a bit further out, a lake.

We didn’t head over to the lake but instead went over to the stunning Yew Garden. This just looked amazing and was so well kept. Whilst I was chasing the gremlin around the trees, hubby came over and told me off; apparently if you damage any of them, they take 20 years to re-grow. I hastily dragged my gremlin out of a bush and pretended to tell her to come out! Oops. Instead we had some fun jumping about. This is definitely worth a walk around (as long as you behave).

Once again, we had a brilliant few hours. I can’t get over how well kept and beautiful these National Trust places look. The volunteers are so knowledgeable and good with the little ones and there really wasn’t anything to whinge about at all.

We are planning our next trip out already!