NATIONAL TRUST 2024

 A ROUNDUP OF NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES VISITED IN 2024

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDENS

Nestled in the beautiful Kent countryside, just three miles east of Cranbrook, is the magnificent Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, a National Trust property since 1962.

The site was once a Saxon pig farm, originally called Saxenhurst and it has a rich and colourful history. In the 18^th century Sissinghurst was used as a prison to house up to 3,000 French sailors who were captured during the 7 year war (1756-1763). Then in 1796 it was used as a poor house, with the inmates working on the farm. The site was also once used to house The Women's Land Army.

As visitors wander around the gardens and 450 acre estate today, they have one person to thank for splendour in which they find themselves. Vita Sackville-West was a poet and writer who began transforming Sissinghurst into the grand estate that it is today in 1930, when along with her diplomat and author husband Harold Nicolson, purchased Sissinghurst, then a run down Elizabethan Mansion.

The estate is open from 10am to 5.30pm, with the tower, from which visitors have wonderful panoramic views of the garden and estate, once they have climbed the 78 steps to reach the top, open from 11am to 5pm. Last entry of the day is 4.45pm.

Entry is free to National Trust members, as is the car park. Paying guests must pay £4 for the car park, whilst entry to the whole estate starts at £8.50 for children and £17 for adults.

Facilities include car park, plant shop, restaurant, gift shop, and coffee shop.

The address and postcode is: Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Biddenden Road, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB

FLATFORD MILL, CONSTABLE COUNTRY.

The National Trust and The RSPB 

Nestled in the heart of the Dedham Vale, in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, is the wonderful Flatford Mill. Here, in what is very much Constable country, tourists and art lovers alike, can marvel at the magnificent scenery that so inspired the artist John Constable. One can easily pick out the locations of some of his most famous paintings. most notably, The Haywain.

The National Trust operate the car park for the site which is free to National Trust members, otherwise the cost is just £1 for Motorcycles, £5 for cars, and £15 for Coaches. The car park is open from Dawn to Dusk.

For those not arriving by motor vehicle, Manningtree train station is less than 2 miles away by footpath, or less than 4 miles by road. Cycle hire is available at the train station. there is also a regular bus service to the village of East Bergholt, a short walk away.

From the car park it is a pleasant stroll, pass the National Trust Information Office, through a tree lined path (a downward slope with steps) to the river.

Prior to reaching the river, visitors will pass the RSPB Wildlife Gardens, a delightful space of interesting plants and imaginatively designed gardens. Children will love the little paths and hideaways where they can explore nature in complete safety. There is a shop and seating area here, and visitors can purchase plants which have been propagated by the RSPB volunteers. 

Opposite the gardens is the toilet block which is open from 10:00 to 16:00.

The right hand path from the gardens will take you over the old wooden bridge to the riverside and open fields. Be prepared for beautiful scenery, lovely walks and a lot of very friendly cattle. The cattle roam free in the fields and it is a delight to walk amongst them and watch them make their way to the river for a drink. Besides just strolling or sitting by the river, visitors can opt to hire a rowing boat or go for a ride in an environmentally friendly boat.

Returning back over the bridge visitors will find a lovely thatched cottage which is managed by The National Trust as a museum, opposite the cottage is the site of the ice cream kiosk, unfortunately, this has recently been destroyed by fire!

Continuing along the righthand path, you will pass the National Trust Shop which is open from 10:30 to 16:00. Further along this path and you will eventually pass Flatford Mill and Willy Lott's House. The mill is used for residential art courses, and visitors can often see students with paint brush in hand learning the skill of painting.

Whatever your reasons for visiting Flatford, whether as a tourist or as a budding artist following in John Constable's footsteps, you will not be disappointed, it is truly a remarkable place.

ICKWORTH



This was actually my second visit to Ickworth. Unfortunately, on my first visit, a few years ago, the house was closed and I only got to look around the gardens and parkland. Ickworth is a Georgian house with Italianate influences. Commissioned by the 4^th Earl of Bristol in the 18^th century, Ickworth is set in beautiful gardens and extensive parklands, and surrounded by the magnificent English landscape.



As I had explored the grounds extensively on my previous visit, I was happy, on this occasion, to spend my time looking around this splendid house. I especially enjoyed visiting the restored servants basement which gave a fascinating insight into what life was like 'below stairs' in the 1930s.

 



 

During the winter months, entry to the house is limited, but usual opening times are from 11am to 5pm, with the gardens open from 9am to 5.30pm. Entry to house and gardens cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for children (inclusive of gift aid). Entry to gardens only costs £9 and £4.50. There is a restaurant and a cafe, ample parking, a gift shop and garden shop where a good array of plants and shrubs and garden accessories can be purchased. Located close to Bury St Edmunds, the post code is IP29 5QE.