Since joining the National Trust early last year we have been big fans. I love that we can go somewhere as a family and all enjoy ourselves but for different reasons. Every property is unique and there is something fun at each one. Over the Easter holiday, we decided to take a trip to Standen House and Garden which is about an hours drive from our home.
We used the sat nav to get into the right area and then picked up the brown signs as the sat nav would have taken us further than the actual property. The entrance to the property is down a pretty single lane and we were greeted by very friendly staff who made sure we could park easily.
As we arrived it started to spit with rain so we headed straight into the house for a look round and as it was Easter real eggs had been hidden across the property for the kids to seek out and count. They love these kinds of activities at NT properties.
We spoke to a number of the staff as we moved around the house and one of the great things about NT properties is that the staff are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about where they are working. Standen is dressed as it would have been in the 1920s and this creates some great learning for both adults and kids.
At the end of the (self-led) house tour, you head into the shop which is well stocked with cards, books and gifts and there are some small toys and sweets for the children. Then outside in the courtyard are lots of nice garden ornaments and plants.
Once the weather dried up we headed out into the grounds to take part in the Cadbury's Easter egg hunt. This was well organised and fun for the children as it took us through most of the grounds and we enjoyed a play in the plantation wooden kids play area and even had a game of croquet on the lawn.
As we have come to expect with NT properties Standen is really well maintained and they appear to be working on an area of the grounds to renovate it at the moment. Even for Spring there is some great colour and I can only imagine how the grounds come alive in the summer, it would be fabulous for a picnic.
After enjoying a stroll through the kitchen garden and watching the chickens for a while the kids got their Easter egg prize each and we headed into the Barn tea room for a rest and a cuppa. It was very busy in there as we arrived but a table soon cleared and we all enjoyed a drink and a cream scone. The quality of the food and drink was very good and the prices were as I would expect.
Whilst we were at Standen I noticed signs for lots of events like photography workshops, a tulip festival and wine tasting. There seems to be something nice to visit for every month of the year.
We had a great day at Standen House and Garden and I'd be happy to visit again or recommend it.
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