Since we moved to East Sussex 18 months ago we
have really enjoyed visiting the local area and getting out and about. Some of
our favourite visits have been to National Trust sites, using our family membership. I thought it was time I
bought all the reviews I have written together in one place and I'm also
planning for this year where we should visit, we could go back to the old
favourites but actually, I think it is good to experience something new.
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| Bodiam Castle |
Robertsbridge, East Sussex - We've been to Bodiam Castle a few times now and
there is something wonderfully peaceful about it, even on a busy day when the
kids are off school. I always
manage to get lovely photos here and they have fun kids activities and living
history events in the school holidays. Check out my 2020 Bodiam Castle post too.
Burwash, East Sussex - We also took a trip to Rudyard Kipling's home.
Bateman's is a glorious house with so much to look at but it was the grounds
that won over the kids, a working watermill and fish pond complete with
jumping koi. We've also visited for a WWI weekend and at Christmas too.
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| Enjoying the fish at Bateman's |
Eastbourne, East Sussex - Time and time again we have been back to the Birling Gap and Seven Sisters and each time we take a minibus full of different people so they can experience the
wonder of the beach and the glorious cliffs. Our lunch and some fun and games on the clifftop make for a wonderful
afternoon. You can walk for miles and explore for hours if you so wish.
Lamberhurst, Kent - Scotney Castle was a great
day out last September, the weather was fine which meant the kids loved
exploring the grounds and my Mum and Aunt enjoyed the splendour of the new
house. I personally was enthralled to find out that the Ashburnhams' had first
owned the old castle as I now live in the grounds of their ancestral home.
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| The beauty of Sheffield Park |
Uckfield, East Sussex - We have only had one visit
over to Sheffield Park and Gardens so far and we left it a bit late in the day
really as by the time we had finished looking rounded the formal beautiful
gardens and had a tasty cream tea the kids were wanting their dinner. Next time we
go here it is with the intention of just exploring the parkland and enjoying
some of the outdoor trails and den building areas. There is acres and acres to
explore. Perhaps one to take my parents and their dog along to or maybe we will
join one of the bluebell walks in April/May.
Westerham, Kent - The NT property that my son
and I are desperate to visit is Chartwell. This is the family
home of Sir Winston Churchill and is supposed to be amazing, just imagine the
conversations and planning that went on in that house all those years ago and
the rooms remain the same. Of course the part the girls will really enjoy will
be the woodland trails filled with natural play areas, swings and den building.
An extra treat might be to go along between 3-6th April so the kids can take
part in the Cadburys Easter egg trail.
Cranbrook, Kent - One of the sites pretty
local to us is Sissinghurst Castle Garden so this will be an easy visit, this
weekend perhaps? We can look around the 450-acre estate, see the ruined
architecture of the original house, look out to spectacular views from the
tower and see the working farm.
Haywards Heath, West Sussex - The pictures of Nymans look
just delightful but the reason this one is on my must-visit list is the fact there is geocaching in the gardens and woods and my kids will love that. Add it
to a play trail, second-hand bookshop (JJ always finds great old Beano annuals
at NT properties) and cafe and my kids will be over the moon. You can see why
this makes the NTs list of the top 10 gardens for kids to play in.
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| Stunning gardens at Scotney Castle |
East Grinstead, West Sussex - I think Standen House andGardens is a site we will head to in the May half-term as they have plenty of
things going on for 50 things may-hem. I do love this initiative from the
National Trust, last year the kids loved their little books where they could
tick off all the activities they have completed before they are 11 3/4, which
for JJ is just a few months away!
Petworth, West Sussex - The NT say that Petworth House is one of their sites which works just as well on a rainy day as it does
on a sunny one. It is a vast and complex site with so much to explore across a
700-acre deer park. Petworth House is home to the NTs finest collection of
paintings and it is great to be able to talk to the children about painters
from the past.
It has been great exploring
the NT app, website and handbook as I put this post together as it has really
reminded me just how many sites are within 20/25 miles of where I live in
Battle, East Sussex. I would totally have missed the Saddlescombe Farm (at
Devil's Dyke) open day on Sunday 26th April and this sounds brilliant with
tours of the buildings and demonstrations of traditional work like hurdle
making, shepherding and carpentry.
I hope I've interested you to take a look and see which National Trust properties are close to you. They really are worth a visit with the family.
Why not pin this post for later?
Disclosure: We paid for membership ourselves for this past year but I have been gifted some family passes to use in the next couple of months