Watching me grow at Mottisfont, National Trust

Dear mummy, every year we make our annual pilgrimage to Mottisfont, Hampshire to see their wonderful rose gardens. We’ve been visiting for years since I was a baby. My mummy has loved watching me grow, just like the gardens at this National Trust property.

Mottisfont is near Romsey in Hampshire. It’s an 18th-century home with a medieval priory. Owned by The National Trust, the grounds are stunning! Ancient trees look like something out of creepy Sleepy Hollow and a crystal clear river runs through this tranquil estate.

The walled rose garden is like something out of Alice in Wonderland and what continues to bring us back every year. Within the brick walls of the gardens are the national collection of old-fashion roses which are at full bloom in June. People come from all over the world to see this impressive display of rare roses.

When visiting in the warmer months we always bring a picnic with us to enjoy on the front lawn in front of the big house. It makes for a dramatic view and I’m happy running barefoot around on the grass and rolling down the hills while my mummy looks on from her shaded spot.

It really is a beautiful scene and our memories have been made at this National Trust location. My mummy can see the changes in me and the estate. Mottisfont now has a natural play area built this year, which I love, a new visitors centre and they have moved their cafe into the courtyard in the middle of the grounds.

A river still runs alongside the River Test through the estate and has a beautiful bridge with a weeping willow draped across the crystal clear water filled with fish. There are friendly ducks eager to pinch our food and graceful swans which aren’t so friendly!

We visit the beautiful walled gardens which house some of the best collection of roses in the country. Even though its mid-week the place is still busy with tourists and garden enthusiasts milling around. Everyone’s trying to take that one beautiful shot of the roses.

But my mummy is more focused on taking photos of me in this walled garden, inspired by how much I’ve grown and bloomed into a little girl.

From a sleepy baby in a baby sling to a fully fledged walking and talking toddler, taking in the sights and sounds, smelling the roses and exploring under my own steam. I love running around this wide open space!

We enjoy ice cream and fizzy juice flavoured by roses! Its tastes divine and is really refreshing on this hot summers day. I insist on drinking my fizzy drink from a small bottle cap. Yes, I’m strange.

For the first time in ages my mummy gets to sit back and watch me run around amongst the flowers, expressions of wonderment in this amazing setting.

My imagination takes flight as I believe I’m a little princess in her walled garden hiding from the Kings Guards, to knocking on the white door at the edge of the rose garden to talk to the fairies that live behind it. Mottisfont truly is a wonderful place to explore and the flowers are beautiful at this time of year!