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Favourite National Trust place?
fellyjish · 31/12/2019 20:29
We got NT membership for Xmas and it kicks in tomorrow! I'm really excited and want to use it to the full! Where are your favourite NT places?
I'm in the South West but would like to use it as a tool to plan weekends away/visit friends etc too!
MrsPworkingmummy · 01/01/2020 01:41
We've been to hundreds of NT properties around the country and my favourites are: Cragside (grounds and house absolutely stunning), Wallington Hall in Northumberland and Lyme House in Cheshire. The North East, without doubt, has the best range of NT properties.
JohnnyCash22 · 01/01/2020 01:47
Crag side
Lindisfarne
Cliveden
Baddesley Clinton
Have all been mentioned and are all fab. I've been to Cliveden the most often - large wooded area, large maze, childrrn's playground, beautiful parterre, rose garden and paths down to the Thames (I often take the children to swim there in the summer).
BlueSkies2020 · 01/01/2020 03:12
The ones we visit and enjoy are....
Dyram park just outside Bath - picture perfect setting and we love the stags
Belton House in Lincolnshire for the children’s adventure playground
Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire for the stunning parkland and animals (Home farm and horses), also love the Folly
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge for the gardens, especially in Winter and Dahlias in September
Ickworth House, Bury St Edmunds for the Italianate building and gardens, and a fabulous walled meadow in summer
MAFIL · 01/01/2020 03:40
Another vote for Cragside. It is absolutely fascinating and the grounds are beautiful.
I also love Wray Castle, Wordsworth House and Quarry Bank Mill.
There are so many wonderful NT properties though, you will find good places all over the country. I have been a member for over 20 years and I think that the NT is making much more effort to make the properties interesting and accessible. I remember being taken to places as a child and even though I was interested in history a lot of the properties seemed dull and "dead". Now there is masses of information, interactive displays, staff in period costume etc - its much better. Last year my teenage son got to play a harpsichord in one house. They had a guy in period dress playing for the public. He noticed DS seemed more interested than average, asked him if he played the piano and then invited him to have a go, showed him how the instrument works and talked through the differences between the piano and the harpsichord. What a great opportunity, and a far cry from the dusty rooms and stern security guards I remember from my own childhood.
I am a huge fan of the NT as is probably obvious! Of course they can't please everyone all the time and they have made some decisions in our locality that I am not in 100% agreement with, but overall I think they do a wonderful job of preserving and protecting our heritage. I wish you many happy trips using your membership OP.
Lonecatwithkitten · 01/01/2020 07:34
I have had life membership since I was 18 so have visited so many.
All time favourites Fountains Abbey and Waddesdon are right up there. My locals The Vyne and Basildon Park are great.
This years highlights
Chartwell - our number one this year.
Polesden Lacey
Uppark - dressed for Georgian Xmas ball
Hinton Ampner- dress for Christmas in Aesop's Fable theme.
Nostell - a break as we headed south would have loved more time to investigate Gardens.
Osterley Park is great if you have to drive into London for a loo and coffee stop just before you hit central London.
We visited Knole as well, but it was a cold wet day. This would have been amazing in the summer when you could explore the gardens.
Don't forget to get a hot drink loyalty card when you first visit the cafe.
We try to visit at least one place a month.
On the 2020 list are Stourhead - summer time. Laycock Abbey and Kingston Lacey.
Lonecatwithkitten · 01/01/2020 07:37
I should add life membership at 18 has been an amazing present when DD was small it made for so many cheap days out particularly as a single parent.
I remember my Granny who gave it to me everytime I get my card out. I am 47 now and hope I have at least another 30 years of using it ahead.
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