Our Top Five National Trust Days Out as a Family

I've mentioned plenty of times that we love going on National Trust days out together as a family. Pre-Oli Taz and I would often do two or three properties each weekend, and while we don't quite have the stamina for that these days we still try and get out as much as we can, and see the properties through different eyes now too.

1. The Children's Country House at Sudbury

I've already written a whole blog about how much we love this place, and as it was re-designed with children in mind every element is set up to appeal to little (and big) kids. Parking is across a quiet road, it's open at weekends and throughout school holidays, and you do need to pre-book for entry to the house.

2. Erdigg

This beautiful house in North Wales is set among over 1,000 acres of meadows, gardens and woodlands. We love poking about the lovingly restored rooms and corridors of the house, and Olivia enjoys the outdoor Wolf's Den natural play area, hidden away in the trees. They also often have games and activities set up on the sweeping lawns, which are also perfect for picnics.

3. Speke Hall

On the edge of Liverpool, underneath the airport's flight path, is a beautiful Tudor oasis. The gorgeous historic house is full of nooks and crannies to poke about in, and there are a range of gardens and woodlands to explore too. Olivia particularly enjoys building dens in the woodland play area and hearing stories about the family who built the house.

4. Powis Castle and Garden

If your children are into knights, princesses, and dragons, then this is the place to go! A dramatic medieval Welsh castle with a fascinating history and incredible views. The steep gardens wind down to a wide field which often has games set up, and we spent hours walking around the buildings, dodging the cheeky peacocks who came to investigate our lunch, and looking out for dragons.

4. Knole

Originally built for an Archbishop in Kent this castle compound has had some illustrious residents over its 400-year history. Aside from the deer-filled parks and the great hall (where Olivia likes to dance on the raised dais) we particularly enjoy the Conservation Studio which shows visitors how the National Trust are working to preserve the magnificent building and collections.

We actually have so many more favourite National Trust properties (mine include Smallhythe and Igtham Mote), but these are the ones that stood out for us as being great to explore with young children.

What are your favourite National Trust properties?