PLACES TO VISIT IN THE UK

NATIONAL TRUST

So far this year I have had the great pleasure of visiting four National Trust properties. This of course is just a fraction of the many fine properties that the National Trust manage. Here is a review of three of those properties, the fourth property, Melford Hall in Long Melford  Suffolk, has previously been reviewed on this blog.
   http://independentworldtravelreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/national-trust.html

BELTON HOUSE

 

Built in the 1680s for Sir John Brownlow, Belton House is a very classic English country house. The house sits within the splendour of the beautiful formal Italian and Dutch gardens, and if the gardens themselves are not enough to keep you occupied outdoors, there is also an impressive 1,300 acre Deer park.

Belton House is steeped in history, there are links to the abdication of King Edward VIII, as well as being the base for The Machine Gun Corps during the first world war. The house itself is a delight to visit and I would highly recommend the Basement tour. This tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives and living conditions of the servants who ran the house. There are various events throughout the year including open air theatre and cinema, with special Halloween and Christmas programs.

The house is open Wednesday to Sunday between March and October, and basement tours operate daily all year round. The gardens and cafe are open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Entry to the house and gardens is £13.10 for adults and £8.40 per child. To visit the grounds only, will cost £10.30 for an adult and £7.00 for a child.

For full details on all up to date pricing and current opening times please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beltonhouse

Facilities at Belton House include a restaurant, cafe, children's play area, second hand book shop, gift shop and garden shop. There is also ample free parking. Belton House is located near Grantham in Lincolnshire on the A607. The postcode for Sat Navs is: NG32 2LS.

LAVENHAM GUILDHALL

 

Located in the beautiful and extremely popular village of Lavenham in Suffolk, Lavenham Guildhall is a hidden treasure. Known as the Guildhall of Corpus Christi, it is a remarkably well preserved timber framed Tudor building. With 500 years of history this building has more than a few stories to tell, and the friendly, helpful staff at Lavenham Guildhall are more than happy to share some of these stories with you. There is even the opportunity for visitors to dress up in a replica period costume.

More recently, the Guildhall and Lavenham have found fame among cinema goers, both young and old, by being featured in the Harry Potter films. Many visitors are drawn to Lavenham to see the film location of the fictional town of Godric's Hollow, the birthplace of Harry Potter.

Facilities on-site include a well stocked gift shop, and a very nice tea room serving hot and cold food and drinks. There is a small courtyard garden which features a 'lock up' from the days when the Guildhall was used as a prison, and an old wooden fire engine.

The Guildhall is open from 11am to 5pm and entry costs £6.20 for adults and £3.10 for children.
For full details on all up to date prices and current  opening times please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lavenham-guildhall

Located just seven miles from Sudbury, the postcode for Sat Navs is: CO10 9QZ. Free parking is available in Market Square or any of the surrounding roads where parking is permitted.

BOURNE MILL

Located on the outskirts of Colchester, England's oldest recorded town, Bourne Mill is a magnificent example of a working watermill. Not that this building has always been a mill, it was originally an Elizabethan fishing lodge.

Built in 1591 by Sir Thomas Lucas, it was a place for entertaining his wealthy friends. Over the years it has also served as a working corn mill, as well as producing woolen cloth.

Visitors are able to see the watermill in action and enjoy listening to the rhythmic sound of its workings, with all its creaking and rumbling. Outside, visitors can enjoy relaxing by the beautiful, tranquil lake, whilst admiring the scenery and wildlife. Perhaps, even take a walk along the wetlands and maybe enjoy a little pond dipping.

 

The mill and grounds are open March to October and cost £3.75 for adults and £1.90 for children.
 For full details on all up to date opening times and current prices please visit:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bourne-mill

Located on Bourne Road Colchester. Limited Free parking is available on-site. The postcode for Sat Navs is: CO2 8RT