Make the most of the National Trust

The National Trust has 300 properties across the UK. Wherever you are in the country, you’re not usually very far away from a beautiful Trust walk, home or park.

The forest and outdoor walking areas are often open all year round, but some of the houses and gardens close during the winter months so it’s always worth checking opening details before you go

To help with this, we have rounded up the opening and closing dates for some of our favourite National Trust destinations in one blog.

Knole, Kent

This the biggest of the Trust’s houses so as you can imagine, it’s spectacularly grand and we can’t recommend a visit enough.

The showrooms at Knole open March to October and the private garden is only open on Tuesdays between April and September.

Mount Stewart, County Down

Recently restored, you can now visit some previously unopened rooms at Mount Stewart. The neo-classical house has had over 200 volunteers working on a revamp.

Much of Mount Stewart is open all year round, including the house and gardens, but some parts including the house, dairy and vinery are only open on particular days.

Chartwell, Kent

Over the years, Chartwell, has been home to many famous people including Winston Churchill.

Chartwell’s main season runs from 1st March to 3rd November for 2019. As the home is popular, it’s a good idea to buy tickets for a house tour before you visit.

Clouds Hill, Dorset

From the biggest to the smallest, Clouds Hill is the rural retreat once inhabited by T.E Lawrence. Despite its small size it’s a very popular visitor spot and grand in all its own ways.

The cottage is quite fragile so needs some extra care over the winter months. It’s open between April and October.

Llanerchaeron, Wales

Llanerchaeron is an elegant Georgian property in the Aeron Valley and features a farm, gardens and a lake.

Most of Llanerchaeron is open all year round so you may visit here whatever the season. Even the walled gardens are open all year round.

Ascott, Buckinghamshire

This house was built in 1606 and transformed by the Rothschilds in the late 19th century.

Both the gardens and the house at Ascott are open from 19th March. It’s often closed on Mondays but open the majority of the week until 19th September.

Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

This is another Rothschild house and gardens and is a French Renaissance-style château with Victorian style gardens.

You can access the gardens on specific days during the winter months (October to March) but you will notice that the manor’s famous statues are covered in protective wraps.

Depending on where in the country your Willerby static caravan is or where you are staying on holiday visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk to find a property and opening times near you.