When we were down in Cornwall, we had to take advantage of our National Trust membership and visit a couple of properties in the area. We started at NT Lanhydrock, in Cornwall….
The walk down the long driveway to the house was beautiful, and Boo took advantage running about. She found benches, flowers and tree roots to inspect along the way, too!
It’s a beautiful house and estate, with lots to look at. It was refurbished in Victorian times, and the house is all set up to show us what life was like, both upstairs and downstairs. As always with National Trust houses, there was also a children’s trail, so Boo was all about finding the trains this time!
And we then wondered around the extensive gardens…
The camelias were simply stunning. Fortunately, I already have one in my garden, though it’s still a tiny baby, otherwise I’d have had to buy one after this!
They had formal gardens, and then a huge area to explore with gorgeous magnolias, a little church, a stream – it was lovely!
A great day out!
And then on the way back home from Cornwall, we made a stop at NT Killerton in Exeter, Devon. The house is fairly small, compared to others we’ve visited, though I loved the library and Boo enoyed hunting for teddies!
It really set itself apart with the fabulous costumes they had on display there..
And the secret door that led to a wardrobe full of dressing up!
Boo loved it, though Little Man was more about pulling clothes onto the floor than trying them on!
Back outside, there were hundreds of daffodils that Boo delighted in running through..
And she can never resist a tree stump…
They were part of the outdoors dragon trail all over the grounds. As we were on our way home, and still had a long way to go, we couldn’t do all of this, but it looked fun!
The gardens needed exploring, too, of course..
They had loads of bright and bold fritillarias there..
And I spotted this little creature in amongst the shrubs!
Both were really beautiful places, and I loved watching the children roam, run and enjoy them. I’ve always had a passion for history, so I find the houses fascinating, and my new-found interest in gardening means that I’m always bowled over by the gardens at these places. We’ve been National Trust members for just over 3 months now, and can barely remember what we did without it – we love these days out and adventures!
Lanhydrock is stunning at this time of year isn’t it? I’ve not been to Killerton – might be one for my next trip to the SouthWest.
It was so beautiful there. And yes, Killerton is a handy place to have a break and a roam around
I am in awe on how pretty these places are. They are just a marvel to see. Thanks for sharing your photos. I dont think we can ever go there so seeing the photos is the next best thing =) #countrykids
They are beautiful. Killerton’s not that far from you – maybe worth a trip out?
We really must look into National Trust membership! It looks like you had a lovely time. I love your photo’s Jocelyn. Lovely post x #Countrykids
Oh, you should! We were at another one yesterday – they are great days out. Thank you x
What a lovely adventure you had. the pictures are beautiful too;)
Thank you very much x
Two fabulous places to visit, we live between both these two and already have them on our list for days out this summer. We are NT members too and love wandering round them, the gardens are always stunning and those camelia’s in your pictures are simply gorgeous!
Lovely to be able to visit both through the seasons regularly then. I loved those camellias!
Now N’s a little older, I’m debating NT membership. I thought there weren’t any near us, but turns out there’s about 3 within striking distance, and a couple near my best friend as well.
Looks like a great day out. #countrykids
Oh, I’d highly recommend it! We visit them at least a couple of times a month, so it’s well worth it
Ooh I am all fired up to start exploring as many NT properties as possible now we have just signed up for our membership! Those two properties look fabulous – especially the grounds! My friend and I didn’t even consider taking our boys into the house at Clandon yesterday (Easter Egg trail) as the thought of these little rampaging people around displays of porcelain was just too scary!! They had a fab time in the gardens though. #CountryKids
Exciting! We only joined at Christmas and have been to quite a few already – fabulous days out! I always go inside as I do love history and Boo loves doing the hunts that they always have in there. Little Man is more destructive and tends to require carrying!
Killerton is 20 minuted from me, and a place we visit a lot. It’s just gorgeous. I love your photos 🙂 #countrykids
It is gorgeous, lucky you!
Lovely set of photos. Both look really interesting places to go and I loved their gardens, too. The first photo was terrific. One tip I’d use is try out the V for Vibrant setting on your camera. it doesn’t make colours artificial looking but just “pop” a little more and would look great on some of these. Thanks for taking us along 🙂
Thank you, and thanks for the tip – I will play with that V button!
Lovely places to explore. Love learning about how big houses were run. Giving the children a taste for history is no bad thing. The dressing up area looks perfect! #CountryKids
I love history, so like to explore and share it with the kids. The dressing up was fun!
Oooh – we are not going to be too far from Killerton when we visit the UK next month …. adds it to the list of possible things to do!
It’s lovely, they both are!
Those Victorian dresses are beautiful, and the gardens are lovely. We’ve been so lucky with the weather lately haven’t we #CountryKids
Yes, it’d been great to get out and about x
Wow, both places look absolutely fantastic, in totally different ways! Loving the beautiful grounds and especially the gorgeous stream at that first one, and the costumes and dressing up clothes at the second one! xx #countrykids
Yes, you’re right, as they were both lovely in different ways. I do love the NT!
This place looks amazing. I’m sure I could get lost for hours soaking up the atmosphere, especially around those bookcases!
Oh, I know! But I have a 4 yo and 1 yo, so soaking up the atmosphere isn’t really a possibility at the moment! One day…!
How lovely. I’m a huge fan of Lanhydrock and can’t wait to take our bikes down to explore the new cycle trails there. Not been to Killerton but have thought about stopping off en route one of these days if I can persuade the children to take a small detour!
It is only a little detour! Lovely place to stop if you need to stretch your legs x
sounds like two really fabulous places to visit. A great balance of activities to keep your kids busy. #countrykids
They were lovely, and plenty to see and do, thank you x
Both look so lovely. Gorgeous pics! #countrykids
They were, thank you x
You photos are stunning, they make me want to visit right now. I haven’t been to Cornwall for quite a few years, that’s something I will have to remedy when my daughter is well again, and so is an NT membership.
Thank you. They were gorgeous, and we do love our NT membership.
A very good friend of mine used to work at Lanhydrock and so we visited on good authority last time we were there and weren’t disappointed. Beautiful place and great cream tea! x
Very beautiful and I always love a cream tea!
They both look magnificent! Great photos 🙂 x
They are, so beautiful. Thanks x
This looks like a wonderful place to visit with lots to do. Your photos are lovely.
Thank you very much x
Brings back memories, I lived in Devon as a child and we visited these places lots of times. We recently visited Dunster castle in somerset and had a wail of a time, the national trust is great. #countrykids
It really is. We joined at Christmas and have already been to so many wonderful places.
Two great places to visit, NT membership is great when you have a number of place to visit. Great photos, you look like you had a good holiday.
Thank you. Yes. we’re lucky as we’ve plenty near to us, too.
Those Camelias were beautiful! We have one in our garden but it is still quite small after we had to drastically cut it back! The waterfall looks so peaceful and pretty. Looks like a great day out x #HDYGG
I know -I wanted mine to be the same! They were lovely, thank you x
Beautiful photos, it looks like a great place. We too have just become NT members and I really enjoy exploring new places
Oh, it’s lovely. We only joined at Christmas, but we’ve been to lots already and the gardens are often beautiful.
What a beautiful place! I bought a Camelia for our garden this year, hopefully it will look as nice as the one you photographed. The daffodils are really pretty, so many!
WOW! The Camelias and the stream! Fabulous!
oh wow!!!! what beautiful places to go and spend the day. or days and days… i wouldn’t want to leave. so much beauty! love the shot of your daughter with the daffodils
These Places look Beautiful!!! would love to visit, but there so far away 🙁 #HDYGG
They are beautiful, and are far away from us now, to be honest! Nice to visit, though.
AWESOME! And fritillarias! That’s what I saw at Wisley and didn’t have a clue what it’s name was – you see you learn something every day!
Such a seriously good looking place to visit – and your photos are charming – oh happy days! Thank you thank you thank you for joining in again!
Lovely days out and happy to help you to learn something new!
Thanks for hosting x
oh I love Lanhydrock… isn’t the driveway wonderful! x
Yes, just beautiful x