Making the most of our membership

We have been National Trust members for a long long time but this year we haven't been to many properties - just local ones. It was a glorious day yesterday so we headed out to make the most of our membership in Somerset.

 

We had never been to Barrington Court before so that was first stop and I can highly recommend it - it is stunning.

 

 

 

 

The gardens were fabulous.  I loved all of the walls and secret doors leading to yet another garden - just fabulous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like all properties, it was sow ell presented and cared for. I loved the radio in the kitchen garden where you could sit and listen to the history of the garden. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved seeing the next generation of National Trust members at their own mini-sized tables

 

 

 

 

The house itself was amazing. It was empty but that made the work that had gone into it all the more amazing. Bought by Colonel Lyle in the early 1900's as a derelict wreck, he restored it with original panelling from all over the world, true to the period of the building. Seeing the panelled rooms with so much carving and inlaid work, linen folds and detail, you couldn't believe it wasn't always there. Even the magnificent staircase was brought in, from a Scottish castle. It was incredible and very beautiful

 

We enjoyed a lovely picnic and ice cream then went for visits to Tintinghull Gardens, where we had been before.

 

It was a riot of lavender but was very busy as an Austrian coach tour were there

 

 

We met this little chap - just a baby, and we waited for ages until he gained his confidence to move off the path so we could pass

 

 

 

Finally we went to Montacute, again where we have visited before, and again the gardens were beautiful and of course, the perfect weather helped too

 

 

Montacute is over 40% glass - amazing

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glorious very English day out.

 

I have new scrapping to share today made with a new collection by Dawn Inskip called Footprint in the sand which is awesome

 

 

This is the final of three pages of our trip to Bamburgh

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• sunshine
• National Trust membership
• beautiful gardens
• days out together