Best National Trust parklands to visit right now - for free - MW

Powis castle garden
Powis is a pocket warship among the great houses of Wales. Its red stone walls float like a medieval image on a hill overlooking Severn above. It is the city of Wales Marches, five miles from the English border. Its princes are a bunch of demons, never knowing which side they stand between England and Wales. Today, their fortress, often open to the public, stands guard in valleys that lead to an impenetrable Wales. Over the centuries, Herberts has repeatedly laid out the most special terraced gardens in the UK. The mutilated yews fell down the hillside, seemingly gone mad, overflowing through the walls and railings. Between them is buried rich herb borders. It is like Kew Gardens tilted 45 degrees. On one side, an official Edwardian clergyman tried to pretend that Powis was tamed. Tragically, it does not. The view from the terrace is breathtaking, overlooking the lush hills and meadows of the Severn Valley. But behind the shadows still lies the dark forests of Wales. Castles, cafes and shops are closed, but the gardens will remain open from 10am to 4pm. Follow signs like the wrong postcode.
Simon Jenkins

Ightham Mote Estate, Kent

The North Downs chalk and clay made way for lower grasslands south of Sevenoaks, creating an impressive, thick wooden walkway with panoramic views of the weaving mills. Brave oak grows from unstable cliffs and under-developed tangles creating an impenetrable wild habitat of humans in places. Nestled in a secluded dip, is the stunning medieval Ightham Mote and its beautiful garden. The two are currently closed, but the 500-acre site with dazzling roads, connected to Knole Park in the west, remains open. And the great thing is that many roads lead around the gardens and houses, so it easily peeks at the breathtaking views behind the old walls, especially the open parking lot. My favorite hike begins at One Tree Hill, another NT beauty spot just outside the estate, into the spectacular Wilmot Hill, the hopping Victoria hoppers in a special wet secret valley and Wood Scathes secret. Chirping pigeons, blue birds, wooden anemones and primate glittering on the wooden floor and the roads along the south-facing scar are living with stone butterflies, peacocks and orange heads enjoying the place. sunny, sheltered.
Adam McCulloch


Ashridge, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire real estate

With 5,000 hectares of ancient forest on the Hertfordshire-Buckinghamshire border, Ashridge offers 80 miles of designated footpaths, reins and bike trails, although visitor centers and shops are currently closed. . First inhabited by Blue Friars in the 13th century, the park was developed by Capability Brown in the 1760s. The blue robes disappeared long ago, but in the spring, the forest was covered in wild blueberries and garlic. Fallow deer, introduced by monks, are easily spotted. Ashridge is a nationally important site for old and veteran trees. An ancient yew tree starred in Harry Potter and the forest, with fake snow added, was used in the 2012 film Les Misérable. There are nine self-guided paths - from the Old Tree to the Battle of Berkhamsted Common - and four traced paths (no map required). A four-mile cycle route is ideal for families.
Adrian Tempany


Wimpole Estate, Camgeshire

With 2,500 acres of gentle rural land west of Cambridge (leaving M11 at junction 12), the gardens and parks surrounding Wimpole Hall provide countless rooms for wanderers far from society. The house, visitor center and Home Farm are all closed, but the vast solemn gardens include a walled garden with flowers and orchards, and a Dutch garden of symmetrical fences and filled trees. color. At the time of the gardens was a rebellion of yellow and cream daffodils, in a variety of shapes and heights, some interesting scents. If you want to keep even more than a distance, there are miles of walkways around the beautifully designed Capability Brown Park, the woods, the picturesque madness and chain of lakes. Download a walking guide. Older children can enjoy a three-mile walk to explore the four wooded Thrones forests, commemorating the first world war soldiers connected to Wimpole.
Liz Boulter


Culzean National Park, Ayrshire

Spread over 260 hectares, Culzean Castle and National Park are among the largest areas of the Scottish National Commission. Built in the 18th century for one of the oldest clans in Scotland, the Kennedy family, the castle is currently closed, but the large outdoor area and large beach remain open and free. The park, all types of wood, peaceful glades and glens, is home to a small flock of red deer and llamas, and rejuvenation is easily accomplished by 17 miles of road. Best of all, however, is the cool and early beach clearing: three miles of cliffs, bays and shore, and therapeutic views compared to Firth of Clyde to Arran. The stone tanks for ghost shrimp and starfish are very interesting here, and there are historic cliff caves, once inhabited by people in the Neolithic era. All great escapes.
Heaven


Croome, Worrouershire

Croome, just off M5 and eight miles south of Worcester, has a cracking story telling - or rather, two. During World War II, it was a secret RAF air base (the fascinating museum telling the story is still open, as well as everything else on real estate except the cafe, although that may be change soon). It was the second statement of fame as the landscaped gardens were Capability Brown's first large-scale rose, in 1751. The landscape designer wiped out the non-breeding marsh - and The village ruined the view from the Croome Court - and replaced it with a natural acres overlooking the park, with views of Malvern Hills to the west. In the spring, a free, self-guided four-mile walk from the visitor center passes through strips of bluebells and daffodils to accompany the birds singing. Keep an eye out for egrets and exotic kingfisher, too.
• nationaltrust.org.uk/croome
Gavin McOwan


Penrose Estate, Cornwall

Iveve has spent countless hours walking around Cornwall's largest lake, Loe, on the Trust Trust Penrose property on the Lizard Peninsula. One of my favorite scenes in Cornwall can be found at Loe Bar, the shingle bank that can't separate Loe from the sea. Standing between the two of you looking at two separate and absolutely beautiful worlds. On one side, the Atlantic Ocean is full of sand and on the other, the dense forest surrounding the pool is quiet and sheltered, an oasis in times of turmoil. I could take the whole day wandering along the miles of isolation, winding the road around Loe through swamps, forests and lakeside, which has a rare, pristine feeling to it, as if not possible. Water sports are permitted at any time. Even so, when I felt energetic, I only walked the ground for a few hours, ran around the lake and used the outdoor gym equipment, the National Trust put it usefully in the spaces. time along the way.

I was not the first writer to be charmed by the charm of Penrose estate. Wilkie Collins praised Loe in his 1861 travel book, Rambled Beyond Railways, in which he wrote: 'There is no fantasy which is imagined to be more wonderful, or lovelier than glorious reality. this. ' And, more recently, Real Estate inspired the perfect novel by Xan Brooks, Savage Lovely Cornish Homes, published last year by National Trust Books, and could provide an alternative for Loe for who can't come to Cornwall. I'm going out for a walk here with my kids in the coming weeks, if we're lucky (and quiet), we'll see herons, otters and deer. In case we didn't (we were seldom quiet), we would retell the stories inspired by this beautiful place, about King Arthur throwing Excalibur into the lake and Cornish legend Jan Tregeagle, who created the Loe Bar when he dropped his sandbag while being chased by demons.
Wyl Menmuir


Studley Royal, North Yorkshire

When I want to see big trees in open space, which is quite common these days, I go to Studley. Like many National Trust properties where you find entry prices for homes and gardens, and it has two parts, except here is the abbey ruins and the 300-acre deer park. The latter is still open and very splendid: an 18th-century artificial wilderness with canyons of rivers, lakes and sinful little ones where you can spot some wild deer, but people often far away. An exchequer former disgraced prime minister, John Aislabie, has set about the landscape of the former monastery grounds. He had time on hand after a spell in prison for what House investigators called the infamous Islamic corruption. Regardless of his crimes, his penance is worth it. I especially love the ancient sweet chestnut trees - the wonderful twists of twisted bark scattered throughout the park.
Kevin Rushby

Colby wood garden, Pembrokeshire
The National Trust manages a lot of cool beaches and exposed land in southwestern Wales, but Colby, a mile from Amroth, has the special charm of a secret garden. It covers about eight acres, but when it sits neatly in a valley inside a corridor of trees, it feels remote and atmospheric. It is shady year round and winding streams and heavy rainfall keep the soil well watered. Wild flowers seem to love the arrangement, as are azaleas, azaleas and camellias. There are venerable old oak trees and a 134-foot Japanese redwood tree, arguably the tallest example in the UK. Birds glide through the middle canopy and the bugs grow under the canopy. Otters are sometimes discovered.

Like so many bucolic sites in this part of Wales, Colby has played a role in regional industrial history. You will see the entrance to a capped coal mine on your bends and an old mine track leading to the coast - a cute walkway that takes you to Amroth's sandy beach (where sometimes you can look. see a petrified forest at low tide), with views from Carmarthen Bay to Worm Head at the top of the Gower Peninsula.

Tea rooms, shops and walled gardens are all closed, but toilets remain open.
Chris moss


Abinkworth Aboretum, Surrey

Spring is spectacular at the National Trust, only the arboretum, Winkworth is undervalued near Godalming on Surrey hills. Rose tea towering above the daffodils in a fairy tale followed by blooming cherry trees and citrus-white magnolia. In April, the steps up the bluebell-covered hill from the boat house will lead through the morning azalea waterfall. Three Winkworth circles of 100-acre walking trails, from a relatively accessible trail through the forest to a few multi-mile challenges on hills and meadows. At the top, there are views across the countryside; In the valley, a wooden path leads through the rushing wetlands and a small stream flows between the mossy moss trees into the reed lake. In 1937 Wilfrid Fox, a dermatologist with a passion for plants, first started planting model trees on land near his farm; He gave the arboretum to the National Trust 15 years later. He chose oaks, candies, oaks and maple trees to paint a picture, creating a landscape for future generations to enjoy.
Phoebe Taplin


Shertern Park, Gloucestershire

This national estate in Cotswold may not be a household name, but its broad pastures, forests and rural wildlife saw it used as a base for the BBC's Springwatch in 2017 and 2018. Among the marked steps in its 1,675 ha, the choice is the three-mile Farmland Hike Historical Walk, which leads you through a calming setting, with deep vistas. The park at Ewe Pen Bar, 500 meters from the A40 junction (GL54 3DT). Bring your binoculars - at this point, you have a good chance of discovering anything from golden hammers and cacti to hares and the battlefield. The land was awarded to the National Trust in 1982 but is a working property, so go on the roads and keep the dog inspected. Lodge Park, part of the larger plot and located on the opposite side of the A40, is currently closed.
Ben Lerwill


Sheffield Park and Gardens, East Sussex

With 250 acres of parkland and gardens, this rolling land on the Ouse River, I've always found, a great place to lose myself in an idle grove. Dating back to the Saxon era, it was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century, lost to agriculture, then restored beautifully and opened to the public 12 years ago. The four picturesque ponds are where the annual water lily festival takes place in May / June (cross fingers this year). They are also happy in the spring - go now and you'll see them cradled by displaying enhanced colors including rafters of narcissus and delicate snake head fritillaries. But to really get out of it all, walk three undulating miles around the grounds (map available from reception) to enjoy some of the most beautiful park landscapes in Sussex. The tea room is currently closed.
Testament


Nastyton Hall, North Yorkshire

The quiet walled gardens of Nuckyton Hall, on the banks of the Rye River near Hovingham, have something for everyone, from formal beds and a perfect picnic lawn, to a garden. Wonderful kitchen and wild corners. My son's favorite lawn games will not be available, and house and tea kiosks are closed, but the garden is full of hiding opportunities and the place will be filled with spring colors, birdsong and insects. Our plan to spend more time at home involves a bit of gardening and I know we will find a lot of inspiration - this place is completely organic for 18 years and expert junior staff will be on hand. (with appropriate social distance) to talk to guests about their natural-strengthening approach to anything, from composting to growing fruits and vegetables or creating a dreamy wildflower meadow in the grass.
Amy-Jane beer


Ickworth's house, Suffolk

The old Grand Ickworth House and all its visitor facilities have been closed in the near future, but its 1,800 acres of gardens and eclectic parks remain open. The property is vast and varied, with everything from ancient forests to carefully manicured Italian gardens. There are also walled gardens full of chili and rhubarb buds, and the spring garden will soon bloom with blueberries, Spanish fritillary and oxeye daisy. In the North Pleasure garden, there were many daffodils. For animal lovers, early mornings are the best time to spot the wild deer in Lownde Wood on the south side of the estate, while the estate in Ewes, currently grazing in Horringer Meadows, is due to sheep in early April. Don Tiet misses Stumpery, the fascinating fairy kingdom, a thick shade area with ferns and ramshackle trees being uprooted during the Second World War Dig for Victory. Leading dogs are welcome.

Rosie Hopegood

MW