National trust properties within easy reach of SE London

[RevolvingWatchman]

NCed for this as it’s quite identifying!

can anyone recommend a nice national trust or English heritage property within easy reach of SE London (Herne Hill). Happy to drive but public transport would be ideal (with some constraints … see below). I would love to potter about a lovely house and big garden and maybe browse an expensive shop.

constraints. I have a broken foot so I can walk but not far. Long journeys by public transport are a pain, chiefly because of stairs. We have two tweenage dc who will not participate in anything marketed ‘for kids’ but would secretly like to. The must be bribed by a decent cafe. DH has to drive because of the foot situation but hates it and won’t drive for more than an hour (80 mins max)!

is there anything we can do this weekend that fits the bill?

Chartwell. We go there from near Herne Hill quite often. Driving though, not public transport. Probably just over an hour’s drive.

Hever Castle is just over an hour away from you. It’s privately owned but so worth a visit.

Sorry, just re-read your post and somehow missed the bit about you not being able to walk too far. I don’t think Hever would be suitable.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent

Knole in Sevenoaks, but it's a long walk from the station. Gardens aren't open to the public but there's a massive deer park and suggested walking routes of various lengths. Can't remember what the cafe is like.

Polesden Lacey near Dorking.

Eltham Palace

Penshurst Place (again, privately owned so not great if you've got a membership to use).

Down House - EH and great for someone who doesn't want to walk far as it's not big. Darwin's house so more a museum of his life than an architectural jewel but tea room and shop all present, and the shop is quite cool. Home of Charles Darwin - Down House | English Heritage

Eltham Palace - really interesting mixture of design and history. EH - and it's got a Taskmaster thing on this summer which is cool, but looks like this weekend they are jousting instead, which may or may not be better for your kids. Eltham Palace and Gardens | English Heritage

Check out the Historic Houses association, which are independently-owned properties.

https://www.historichouses.org/houses/?region=london-and-south-east

Edited to add: The label 'Free' on the listings indicates free entry to members of HH. There is paid entry for non-members.

If your DH will drive for 80 mins then maybe Leeds Castle near Hollingbourne, junction 8 of the M20. The house is gorgeous, ranging from centuries old to some rather glam 1930s rooms. Lovely restaurants, falconry section with displays, and a land train from the carpark, through the gardens to the house. And a dog collar museum - that’s not a euphemism for anything, proper history of the dog collar.

I’d echo the suggestions for Polesden Lacey and Eltham Palace. I think Chartwell would be too far, and it’s a hilly site so possibly difficult with a broken foot.

Thank you all for these lovely suggestions! We do know Eltham palace quite well - that’s the only place we’ve been to regularly. I love the look of polesden Lacey and Down House - am now off to do some more research!

Another vote for Eltham Palace - an interesting mix of interesting interiors and history. It's about a 10 minute walk from the train station.

Sorry, x posts!

Polesden Lacey is much further from Herne Hill than Chartwell, but Chartwell is not too big inside but the grounds are very hilly. Standen House and garden is not too far to drive. The grounds are large but you don't need to walk too far.
Alternatively, Mayfield Lavender farm at Banstead and Castle Farm lavendar farm near Sevenoaks are both nice places to go. Morden Hall Park is National Trust and quite near you. There's no historic house but it is free with parkland, a river, wetlands, and garden centre.
Personally, I do not think the National Trust cafes are very good.

I know very few teenagers that would willingly go to a lavender farm. It may just be the ones I know but I suspect not.

to be fair, the teenagers don’t want to do anything at all, but they’re being dragged along to please their poor old mum with the bad foot!

Leeds castle was my first thought also.

Downe House is lovely- just outside of Orpington. It’s Charles Darwin’s old home. Fascinating place and teenagers seem to like it.

Down House would definitely have the advantage of limited walking and more content. My lot have very little interest in big stately home rooms but engage quite well with exhibitions.

Polesdon is lovely. May be too far but Nymans is quite small but still enough to walk round, also has a play area and volunteer run book shop.

Also Wakehurst Place is a good romp, quite big. And Winkworth Arboretum, but that may be best in Autumn as the trees are stunning.

Lullingstone Castle at Eynsford also nice for a wander. I think it’s private. Small but nice scenery and several pubs, tea rooms close by. Eagle Heights is also there which the teens would love but it’s not free either although there are often Groupon deals.

Standen is lovely and you can imagine living there easily. Polesden is also very housey and liveable in.

would be a cab from the train station. Hughenden manor (high Wycombe) is fascinating. They uncovered it had a secret role in the Second World War by over hearing an old man visiting telling his so. It’s fascinating.

i was on a train and saw a poster for waddesdon manor (Aylesbury / Haddenham) , I think they must run buses there from the station. Would probably be a fair amount of walking though.

I always bribe my children with food

easy to search here @RevolvingWatchman

Chartwell, Standen, Sheffield Park