Top Ten Places in Hampshire this Easter!

Posted on March 27, 2015 by dearmummyblog

Top Ten Places in Hampshire this Easter!

Dear mummy, here’s a little list I compiled of places to go and things to do in Hampshire this Easter! Easter is a lovely time in this neck of the woods and we love visiting gardens and farms in Spring. Here’s our top ten attractions.

Exbury Gardens, Southampton – Explore the Rhododendrons and jump on the steam train to see the Easter Bunny. We visited last year and had a great time!

Visit Marwell Wildlife, Southampton – To join in with the Easter Park Trail in the Zoo!

Build Lego at Bricks in Motion at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke – Watch the master builders create stunning displays out of Lego. We went last year to Lego Lost World and had a fab time.

See the spring lambs at Manydown Farm, Basingstoke – It’s lambing season along with Easter crafts and activities. We went last year and I made an Easter Egg card for my mummy!

Visit The National Trust at Mottisfont, Romsey and go to the Easter Bunny Ball and join in with the Easter Egg hunt.

Visit Wellington Country Park, on the Hampshire border of Basingstoke/Reading and join in with one if their themed days over the Easter break! We’re looking forward to visiting the Circus!

See the pretty flowers at Sir Harold Hilliers Garden, Romsey.

Visit The Vyne and join in with their Cadbury Easter Egg trail.

Finkley Down Farm, Andover – Pop down to the farm come rain or shine and see the little chicks and lambs!

Pop into Basingstoke Town and enjoy the events Festival Place have put on – Eat Street will be bringing live cooking demonstrations, entertainment and prizes. Also at the Top of Town in Basingstoke there will be Easter activities and entertainment too!

We hope you like our little list on activities over the Easter Break in Hampshire. Hopefully you can join in the fun! Let us know where you visit if you are local 🙂

Love Bella x

Our weekend in pictures

Posted on February 19, 2015 by dearmummyblog

Our Valentine’s Day Weekend in Pictures It’s been an interesting past couple of days. The weather has been a bit hit and miss in Hampshire, we’ve had glorious sunshine and then heavy downpours. We’ve had days outside in the fresh … Continue reading →

Visiting Kingston Lacy, National Trust

Posted on January 24, 2015 by dearmummyblog

Visiting Kingston Lacy, National Trust, Dorset.

January 19, 2015.

Dear mummy, this week we headed across the county border into Dorset to visit to Kingston Lacy.

Kingston Lacy is a Grade 1 listed country house and estate owned by the National Trust. It’s just on the other side of the quaint Wimborne Minster, off the A31, past Ringwood and the New Forest.

It’s a bright and sunny day so we decide to brave the cold and go on an hour journey down the motorway and into the countryside.

We nearly get lost heading to Poole (which wouldn’t be a bad thing as we quite like the coast and the beach) after doubling back a couple of times we finally find Kingston Lacy.

Huge imposing gates and a long drive lead into the car park right next to the entrance to the visitors reception.

With plenty of space to park, we bundle everything into the buggy (warm clothes, wellies, rucksack, camera and changing bag etc) and head into the estate. The entrance doors are narrow and we have trouble getting the buggy through. We have to get help entering the visitors reception and this is the first hurdle of the day.

It doesn’t help that mummy is on her own with a troublesome toddler making mischief – the sun is a blessing on this cold day but also a curse.

It hurts my eyes and I winge all the way to the main house, my mummy tries to walk against the low sun in the sky but it still bothers me.

Finally, I’m let off the rein onto the grass where I have a really good run around, tripping over my own feet in excitement and covering myself in mud.

It seems quiet but then again it is midweek. There are only older couples waking around the estate and I destroy all the peace and quiet with my laughing and shouting.

In fact my shenanigans draw so much attention that people start to walk the other way!! However it does draw some interest in the form of a friendly black cat. He runs over from the main house to give us a big leg rub.

We follow him to the little gardens, past the ancient 6.5m-high obelisk and he mysteriously disappears. Hmmmmm spooky…..We explore the Kitchen Garden and the Japanese Garden.

Unfortunately Lime Walk is closed today, so we miss the carpet of Snowdrops. However, we do see lots of Snowdrops poking out of the brown soil in and around the woods.

We play on the South Lawn and then head into the cafe to warm up with a cuppa.

Hurdle number 2. Doors aren’t wide in the cafe area and a lot of the seating has been sectioned off for NT staff training. So we are squished in this barn/stable style cafe with wonky cobbled floors and chairs all bunched together.

We put the buggy away in the corner and mummy juggles an overloaded tray, soup, hot drinks and while dragging me to find a high chair… while staff look on. It’s a shame really as they could have helped as there where enough of them milling around. We then had the fasted lunch on record, as we felt unwelcome in the silent dining room, attracting unwanted glances from elderly couples.

Back outside we explored the courtyard while mummy finished her drink and I was causing mayhem, balancing precariously on little curbs and jumping in puddles. We set off to the woodland walk, my mummy pushing the buggy and me trailing behind her.

Unfortunately that’s when I fell, tripping over my wellies in my eagerness to hold onto the buggy. I split my lip on the gravel path 😦 a lovely ‘off duty’ National Trust staff member came over to offer us help which was nice and my mummy probably appeared rude refusing. A kind ‘on duty’ lady from reception came over to point us in the direction of the toilets while my mummy tried to comfort me and stop the bleeding.

Over tired, with the sun in my eyes the rest of the afternoon was an upset one with our woodland walk rushed, we decided to head home and chill out on the sofa.

A long way to go for us but it was very pretty at Kingston Lacy. We can’t always have brilliant days.

We’d like to go back when the house and Lime Avenue is back open and when the Kitchen Garden isn’t as bleak. With safety in numbers I’m sure we’d have a lovely time with friends and family.

Bella x

Silent Sunday 30.11.14

Posted on November 30, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Silent Sunday 19.10.14

Posted on October 19, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Our first trip to Hatchlands – National Trust

Posted on October 18, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Hatchlands Park, National Trust

Dear mummy, last week we visited Just for Tiny People’s Open Day near Dorking and Guildford and decided to pop into Hatchlands Park, one of two National Trust properties on the A246.

Hatchlands is on the edge of the Surrey hills and a lot of families have been raving about the seasonal children’s activities they host. It’s only 45 mins away from London. We’ve already visited Clandon Park, down the road, on Mothers Day.

Hatchlands Park is a red-brick country house with surrounding gardens in East Clandon, Surrey, England, covering 430 acres and has been a Grade I listed property since 1967.

The Georgian Mansion was built in the 1750’s for naval hero Admiral Edward Boscawen. It is a family home and today its residents are in (we don’t know who they are), so the house is closed for visitors.

I’m sure the family don’t want people popping in to look at the great collection of musical instruments and paintings while they are watching telly. The property is famous for housing Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments associated with famous composers such as JC Bach, Chopin and Elgar. I’m like a magpie when it comes to musical instruments and gravitate toward anything they makes a big noise, so it is actually for the best I’m not in the house today.

Hatchlands Park also has five mapped walks and a parterre garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll. But today the weather is miserable so we head straight to the tearoom for lunch.

We enjoy some fine fare and warm up with hot jacket potatoes, fresh out of the oven…yummy.

A lovely man called Ray from the National Trust pops in to tell everyone that the cellar tours of the house are happening today free of charge, as visitors can’t gain entry to the house and the weather is so bad, it seems everyone is hiding out from the rain in the tearoom.

While we wait for the tour we venture outside and the rain is a light drizzle. I have fun jumping around in the puddles in the cobbled courtyard. Some of them are really deep and mummy tests them out to make sure I don’t get swallowed up by them!

Before long we hear the tinkering of ivories coming from one of the outhouses surrounding the courtyard. I run over making sure I stomp in every puddle on the way and find a piano, children’s books and activities in this stable barn.

Other children are playing on the piano and I wait my turn.

Finally I get to play on the keys, my small fingers gently prodding the cold keys, my mummy leans over and strikes some chords which I try to mimic. It’s great fun and the sound echoes around the empty courtyard and sounds eerie, the clouds have darkened again and everyone has gone inside for the cellar tour which is about to commence.

We queue up with the rest for the families on the tour and get a safety brief from the National Trust man Ray, he issues out safety helmets as it can get a bit dark down in the cellar and he doesn’t want us banging our heads on the low ceilings and old pipe work. I’m not allowed to be picked up or carried for that reason too, incase my mummy bangs my head, so I hold her hand and head into the darkness.

I love hearing my voice ‘echo echo echo’ and babble all the way down the stairs holding onto mummy and the side of the wall. It’s cold and damp down here and the National Trust have set up war-time scenes of when people used to live down here in war-time Britain when the bombings were happening. Cot beds and desks are set up so people could sleep and work here when’s the air strikes were happening. I couldn’t image it mummy, it seems so dismal and scary down here. The cellars have an eerie feeling…it was a humbling experience and we were glad we visited the cellars. Ray and Jenny, the tour host were very informative and friendly.

By the time we reach the top of the stairs into the daylight the rain has cleared up and the sun is shining. We head towards the Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren in the woods….wow! that’s a bit of a mouthful!!

It’s a adventure area made using tree stumps and wood crafted into dens and an assault course for small people.

It’s great fun and we spend a whole hour playing.

My mummy sings to me in the den and holds my hand as we walk the wooden beams. Other children are running around in a fantasy land of dragons and wizards and we can hear them talking about motes and dungeons. The sun is shining and I go to take a break in one of the wooden huts, I feel so lucky to be out in the fresh air exploring and getting muddy.

By the end of the day I’m pooped and feel my eyes getting heavy, my mummy is a bit tired too having had to navigate the buggy over the hills. I must fall asleep in the car, as when I wake up I’m home. A really nice day. Thanks National Trust.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlands-park/

Love Bella x

Bonkers for Conkers at The Vyne

Posted on September 29, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Sunday 28, September 2014. Dear Mummy, we’ve gone bonkers for conkers this year! Our annual conker hunting trip to The Vyne ended in a huge success when we stumbled on a hidden Horse Chestnut tree off the beaten track. We can’t disclose … Continue reading →

Polesden Lacey, National Trust

Posted on July 24, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Polesden Lacey National Trust

Friday 18, July 2014

Dear mummy, our travels took us somewhere new last weekend. As we were driving back from London and the traffic was bad on the M25 we decided to take a quick detour via Leatherhead towards a little village called Bookham, in between Dorking and Guildford.

We had been told that Polesden Lacey, a National Trust Estate, was just round the corner. As we are members of the National Trust, it was a good opportunity to stop in and visit.

It’s another fine day and the skies are blue. We drive up the long road through an impressive gate and up to the estate. The car park is a stones throw from the entrance to Polesden Lacey and it’s not too busy today.

We arrive at 2ish and grab our picnic blanket and get the sun cream out of the car, a quick nappy change in the toilets, which are cool and clean and I feel refreshed after my long car journey. A quick runaround is just what I need to stretch my little legs!

This place is beautiful! And is surrounded by rolling hills and stunning scenery. People are sat in deck chairs soaking up the sunshine.

Polesden Lacey is an Edwardian House and estate and is located on the North Downs. It is owned and run by the National Trust and is very popular. The house originally was owned by Margaret Greville, a well-know Edwardian hostess. Who entertained royalty and the privileged. She was a close friend to Queen Mary and bequeathed all her jewels to Elizabeth the Queen Mother, including a diamond necklace belonging to Marie Antoinette!

She was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1922 and her estate was bequeathed to the National Trust.

The grounds of the estate are extensive and we head off to see the house and take in the views. It is spectacular and you can see why King George VI and Queen Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon here! Mrs Greville’s collection of fine paintings and porcelain is displayed for visitors to see in the house. My mummy ducks in and has a quick look while daddy and I play on the lawn. The estate has a regal feel about it and we imagine young royals playing on the lawn as children.

We explore the walled garden next, as it’s July the roses are still in bloom and they looked fabulous. Lavender lines the paved paths around the gardens and you could hear busy bees flying from one flower to another.

It was so peaceful here and we had the whole place to ourselves. Our favourite blooms were the snow white ‘Iceberg’ roses and the beautiful dip dyed yellow and pink ‘You’re Beautiful’ blooms. Both looked stunning against the deep blue sky.

Stone sculptures littered the formal gardens, some scary and some angelic. I was memorised by daddy blowing bubbles and followed them around the gardens chasing them with my hands. It was lovely to spend quality time with my daddy and we both lay down on the picnic blanket and stared at the sky. I nestled my head under his arm and we both chilled out.

But not for long! Mummy had brought my ball with her and we played piggy in the middle, while I chased it on the grass in my bare feet. I loved the feeling of grass in-between my toes. Daddy carried me through the trees and I giggled in delight as we ducked and dived through the leaves as they brushed across my body.

On the way back we walked through the pleasure grounds and watched staff set up for a wedding, a lovely spot for one. It’s still very warm, so before we head back to the car we stop by the cafe opposition reception and have an ice cream.

My mummy goes to get my National Trust passport stamped (a collection of little stamps we’ve been acquiring on our trips around the National Trust estates) and we sit and enjoy the world go by.

A lovely short break in-between car journeys and we could have spent the whole day there! So much more to explore and we will be back.

Bella x

Friday Sunshine at Mottisfont

Posted on May 17, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Friday Sunshine at Mottisfont.

Friday, May 16th. 2014.

Dear mummy, not only is Mottisfont hosting the ‘Gardens of Delight’ art exhibition in the house, their gardens are an absolute delight at this time of year!

We’ve popped down a little earlier in the season than usual, as the weather has been so nice recently. Eagerly anticipating the early arrival of the beautiful roses. Last year we saw them when I was VERY little.

Even though it’s mid May we weren’t disappointed! We know the roses are usually in full bloom mid-June so were pleasantly surprised by how colourful the walled garden looked today!

When we arrived at Mottisfont, mummy laid out the picnic blanket and I played on the lawn in front of the house while mummy chilled out on the blanket reading her book. It was all very civilised. The sun was very hot and bright so mummy kept topping me up with sun-cream and water. I loved playing on this safe large patch of grass and the scenery was beautiful. It’s not my first trip to Mottisfont, as mummy and I go quite regularly. The last epic adventure we had was for the Snow Queens Ball back in Feb, but we love walking on the grounds in between events.

Today the gardens are just coming into bloom and the backdrop of the blue sky make for some perfect photographs. As always the staff stopped to chat to me (not really my mummy as she’s a bit boring!) and asked if I was enjoying myself..I think the smile gave it away!

We had lunch alfresco and mummy had a lovely slice of lemon cake and a cup of Earl Grey. I enjoyed Ham Sandwiches and grapes, I even managed to squeeze in a sneaky ice cream, even though it ended badly as I was eating it upside down!

I fell asleep in the Winter Garden like I usually do, the bumpy footpath and snooze shade doing their job. As a result I slept for over an hour which gave my mummy an opportunity to sit in the walled garden and take photographs of the pretty flowers.

She’s a bit excited for June! A lot of “Ohhhhh’s and Ahhh’s” were whispered. They also have a sale on in the National Trust shop, so my mummy picked up a few bits and pieces. Including “That’s not my Tractor” book.

When I woke we went inside the house to escape the afternoon sun and visited the ‘Gardens of Delight’ exhibition. I was carried through the rooms and I pointed out my favourite acrylic paintings. We met some lovely National Trust Staff who commented that I was the youngest visitor to the exhibition that day. It was lovely and cool inside and I enjoyed climbing up and down the large staircases….up and down and up and down….Phew!

We ended up enjoying the last of the late afternoon sun on the lawn, under a tree on mum’s picnic blanket. I sat and finished my juice and chased a crow, we looked at a swan and lay on the ground staring at the deep blue sky. It was really peaceful and a day I won’t forget for a long time.

Thank you mummy for chasing me around, smothering me in sun-cream and for playing ball with me. I loved mucking around rolling on the grass, eating the grass and sticking it to my face. By the end of the day I was covered in sticky strawberry ice-cream, sun-cream, grass and tree blossom….the way it should be!

For more details about Mottisfont, visit my earlier diary entries about last years roses here, and the Lichfield exhibition here.

Love Bella xx

P.s My favourite flower in the walled garden was this fantastic ‘Iris King’ he looked stunning in full glory.

Spring at Mottisfont via Freeheelin’

Posted on April 12, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Spring at Mottisfont via Freeheelin’

Friday, April 4, 2014.

Dear mummy, a couple of your friends have been to see the Lichfield Exhibition at The National Trust’s Mottisfont Estate and have recommended it to you so we decided to go. The weather is dry but overcast and we seem to be running away from the rain as we head to Stockbridge in Hampshire.

Our first stop on the way is a little designer shop called Freeheelin’, it’s located in a converted barn on a farm about 2 minutes down a small country lane from Stockbridge, Hampshire. It’s very easy to get to and they have loads of parking. As we pull up mummy can hear a cockerel crowing and it’s very tranquil. The shop is warm and inviting and Natasha greets us with a big smile and a cheery hello. The place is filled full of children’s treasure, pretty shoes from infant to child sizes, beautiful clothes such as Bonnie Baby and loads of colourful toys. Mummy spots a unicorn rucksack that she wants but unfortunately they don’t do it in adult sizes.

The main purpose for the visit was to get me some sensible booties, as my Start-Rite Mary Janes are far too pretty to wear in the mud. I also needed to get measured as it’s been 6-8 weeks since my last fitting. I’m too small for wellies and I also want something trendy to support my ankles. I love pink and shiny things and am drawn to bright colours, so it was no surprise that when store owner Natasha selected 3 boots, mummy and I decided to go for the ECCO silver ones with neon pink laces. Very fashion forward, they go perfectly with my mint green star skinny jeans from BABY GAP and funky knitted pastel cardi from BONNIE BABY.

We wave goodbye to Natasha at Freeheelin and head on our merry way to Mottisfont. It’s nice and quiet at Mottisfont today as it’s a Friday. We stroll around the Winter Garden on our own and watch the ducks paddle down the river walk. I’m so tired that I go for a nap, mummy’s affronted as she’s been talking to me throughout the walk and I’ve just been ignoring her. I can’t help it mummy, I find country walks so relaxing!

Mottisfont have some changes taking place to some of the path ways around the estate and they are undergoing some spring cleaning ready for the busy Easter period. Both mummy and I are intrigued. We play ball on the lawn infront of the main house and spend a lovely leisurely afternoon looking at spring flowers and chilling out. It makes a welcomed change from all this rain we’ve had recently!

Mummy tempts me inside the house with a rice cake as we walk around the Lichfield exhibition, it’s a bit busier in here. We look at all the photographs and my mummy is particularly taken with the Ewan McGregor photo taken by Lichfield of him in a kilt….’yummy’ my mummy says. I don’t see the appeal! It was very warm in there and before long I’m desperate to get back outside in the fresh air. Houses can be stuffy sometimes! The next time we visit Mottisfont will be in June when the Walled Garden will be filled with roses in full bloom and I can’t wait! Last year I was carried in mummy’s sling (read out it here) and this year I’ll be able to get up close and personal with the flowers! Eek! So excited!

Thanks Mottisfont and Freeheelin for a lovely day x

Bella x

Our IVF Journey: All the fun of living life with twins

Mothers Day at Clandon House

Posted on April 3, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Mothers Day at Clandon Park.

Sunday March 30, 2014

Dear Mummy, I’m still not feeling 100% after picking up a cold at nursery during the week. My nose is crusty and my eyes are gunky but I put on a brave face as it is YOUR day today. It’s Mothers Day and daddy has told me to be good.

You’ve planned this trip for ages and the weather is beautiful so we pack a picnic and head to this National Trust attraction near Guildford.

It is very busy when we get there and daddy struggles to find a car parking space, must be something to do with the weather and the fact that it’s Mother’s Day. Loads of families have their ‘Sunday Best’ on and generations of mothers are followed by grandchildren. It really is a family affair today. We finally find a car parking space and head into the visitors centre. The staff are friendly and give us a map as we’ve never been here before.

On entrance to Clandon Park we past a beautiful meadow full of daffodils. I can’t resist to have a wander through them. Other little people are running around in them too, with proud mummies and daddies taking photographs. This is the height of the Daffodil season here.

Opposite the meadow we see the main house, it’s very impressive.

It is still quiet in the grounds so we decided to walk round and grab a pitch for our picnic blanket. There are many attractions at Clandon Park, the beautiful Dutch Garden was one of them with spring flowers sprouting. On the walk to the house we past Lime Avenue on a pathway to the local village church. We also spot an old Hinemihi – unique Maori meeting house brought back from New Zealand in 1892 and it is the only one in the UK. Unfortunately it is closed, so all we can do is look through the windows.

The National Trust had also put on activities for the children Mothers Day, such as pony rides and crafting.

I was a bit too young for the pony rides, but mummy took me crafting on the first floor of the house. We made some bunting with the word ‘LOVE’ on it.

The main house is very grand with cabinets full of trinkets that I wanted to touch. A huge collection of porcelain and 18th-century furniture, mummy wanted to take photos to show you all but wasn’t allowed. The National Trust operate a strict no-photography rule in the house. The Marble Hall is amazing and a typical example of Venetian architecture. The house was built in the 1720’s….WOW mummy that IS old! And it has been past down through generations of the famous Onslow Family.

We didn’t stay long at Clandon Park due to how busy it was in the house and the awful traffic around Guildford, but our next visit we will be back midweek when it is quieter. I know mummy would love to spend more time looking at the Porcelain collection of little dolls and figures. Overall a great afternoon spent at a new #specialplace.

We will be back

Bella x

p.s Shortly after this visit we were contacted by the National Trust and asked to fill in a survey about our experience at Clandon Park and what they could do to improve our experience – now that’s customer service!

Silent Sunday 30.03.14

Posted on March 30, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Meanwhile….down on the farm….

Posted on March 14, 2014 by dearmummyblog

Meanwhile……down on the farm…..

Friday, March 14, 2014.

Dear mummy, I have my farmyard animal Boden dress on and I am raring to go!

It’s late Friday afternoon and we head to our local National Trust haunt The Vyne. We’ve only got a couple of hours to spare before I go to grandma’s house, so mummy and I spend it running around like mad animals in the walled garden.

We meet a lovely National Trust man who is hosing down all the children’s toys ready for the weekend. I grab a tractor and mummy drives me around the vegetable patch and flower beds. I stop to look at the daffodils, beep my imagery horn and mummy pushes me back up the path. I’m a bit small for this tractor and my feet don’t really touch the pedals so I disembark and help with the gardening.

I clear up sticks from the grass and put them in my wheelbarrow. I would make a great National Trust volunteer!! Only a quick diary entry today…as I’m staying at Grandmas house, and she says no phones in my cot.

Byeeeeee Bella xxx

On my tractor Putting sticks in my wheelbarrow

A quick snap shot of my spring heatwave weekend

Posted on March 9, 2014 by dearmummyblog

A quick snapshot of my Spring heatwave weekend.

Dear mummy, I’m being lazy as there is too much to tell you this weekend. We did some great stuff, visiting RHS Garden Wisley and the National Trust’s The Vyne and Cliveden. Phew! I could do with putting up my little feet and enjoying a stiff bottle of milk!

Heres a couple of photos of our weekend 🙂

The view from the wood of Cliveden House

The view from the woods of Cliveden House

Swans at The Vyne

Crocuses at RHS Garden Wisley

My first trip to Cliveden

Posted on March 4, 2014 by dearmummyblog

My first trip to Cliveden.

Saturday, March 1, 2014.

Dear mummy, spring has sprung! It’s the first day of March and the weather is beautiful! Being St David’s Day we decide to hunt for daffodils at Cliveden. Our journey takes us down the M4 towards Slough, off at junction 7 and down the A4 towards Maidenhead. Cliveden was very easy to find and I was chattering away as we drove through Taplow towards the estate.

There are two National Trust car parks on the Cliveden estate, the first we past is the woodland one which is a mile or so down the road from the main entrance. As it’s our first visit and mummy’s on her own we decide to park at the main entrance so we are close to the visitors centre.

The 376 acre Cliveden Estate is owned by The National Trust but the Main House is a very posh hotel called ‘Cliveden House Hotel’ part of the Relais Chateaux brand and is a grade 1 listed property. Cliveden is an Italianate mansion and estate at Taplow, Buckinghamshire. It’s set on banks 40 metres (130 ft) above the River Thames and its grounds slope down to the river.

The site has been home to an Earl, three Countesses, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor. The views are amazing here and you can see for miles around.

Cliveden is very grand and has lots of royal connections, even the Queen has visited! The Duke of Buckingham built the first house here for his mistress, Ooooo errr I say!! And it has been rocked with scandal ever since. Including the Profumo Affair, after a pool party at Cliveden, which practically brought down the whole British Macmillan government in 1963. Woweee they know how to party at Cliveden.

The full history of Cliveden can be found here. Timeline

We drive through impressive, but very narrow gates and down the long drive towards the carpark. Helpful NT staff are there to scan our membership cards and direct us to a parking space. We are one of the first people there and mummy bundles me into the buggy. This place is so huge and we don’t know where to start. It’s definitely one of the most impressive National Trust places we’ve ever been to, in grandeaur and history. The nearest attraction from the carpark is the Cinema in the Gas Yard, which is great for getting a quick overview of the history of the estate.

Next is the Water Garden opposite the large Maze and it is beautiful, the the bright morning sun glimmers on the water, with the fountain casting rainbows. It’s so quiet as nobody is here yet, so we pause and look at the ducks and the large fish in the pond. We walk round to the top corner of the estate and stop for a coffee and juice at the Storybook Play Den, a great little place for children with a play park and a cottage which looks like a dolls house.

This would be a great place for a summer picnic.

A lovely owl greats us at the entrance to the Storybook Play Den and lots of play trails for children are held here. When I’m a bit older I can’t wait to come back here and play on the climbing frame. Lots of children are now running into the play area with weary parents behind them and the day hasn’t even started yet! Phew!

We stop and have a juice cartoon to share as mummy forgot my beaker and have a look at the map of the grounds. Mummy tries to get her bearings, this place is so huge!

We go on search for some history and follow the map, one of the main reasons why mummy wanted to visit Cliveden was for the large collection of sculptures, most of them acquired by the 1st Lord Astor from 1893 to 1906.

We head towards the main house and are greeted with Thomas Waldo Story’s impressive Fountain of Love at the end of the Grand Avenue. It’s so beautiful and the backdrop of the cobalt blue sky makes the white marble pop! It was sculpted by Thomas Waldo Story (American, 1855–1915) in Rome in 1897 and was commissioned by Lord Astor for this site.

It features a large marble shell supporting three life-size female figures attended by cupid. The “Tortoise” fountain near the parterre was also made by T.W. Story at around the same time. We spend a good 10 minutes looking at this fountain and chilling out in the sun. There is something quite relaxing with hearing running water splash on a mild spring day.

Before long we are back on our journey, the house seems miles away as we look down the Grand Avenue. Mummy finds it a bit hard to push the buggy on the stony path, but I enjoy jiggling around making funny noises. I can imagine what it would have been like in its hay day, large horse drawn carriages and old fashioned wartime cars driving up and down this avenue. Seem strange to be walking down towards a house that’s played host to the likes of Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria. We met Winston Churchill at Chartwell last year, well his painting anyway!

Mummy and I aren’t allowed in the main house unless we are hotel guests so we head around the side of the property to the South Terrace and gaze over the the famous Parterre. One of the largest in Britain and very French! A Parterre is a formal garden on a level surface and the best time to visit the one at Cliveden is between mid-April to mid-May for it’s spring displays, then June to September for the summer displays.

It was originally laid out in 1855 by John Fleming and his colourful planting schemes set a precedent for gardens the world over. The triangular shaped beds have been beautifully restored with seasonal bedding displays using Fleming’s original design and complete the breathtaking views from the house. Very nice mummy! It was a truly spectacular view and the gardens are not yet in bloom! The National Trust are doing some restoration work to the South Terrace but that didn’t spoil the views looking out over the grounds.

At this stage in our journey around the grounds I’m eager to get out of the buggy and get some nosh inside me, so mummy and I head to the Orangery Cafe just around the corner before we start our epic woodland walk. It’s only 11:30 and the crowds haven’t yet descended on us.

It’s nice having the whole cafe to yourself I think. Mummy has a nice cuppa and a lovely bit of Victoria sponge, why is it that National Trust places make the nicest cakes?!?

So we’ve seen the house and the Dukes Gardens and Parterre, we decide to head on our long woodland walk. It’s a bit of a faff to find out how to get down to the lower levels with a buggy, as it’s not clearly signposted. We end up doubling back on ourselves and head towards the back of the house towards Blenheim Pavilion and the Amphitheatre.

Our woodland walk is slowing turning into a casual stroll. I start to get restless, so mummy decides to stop for a break.

We end up at the Italian-style Long Garden which consists of topiary in the form of corkscrew-spirals, peacocks and box hedges and was designed by Norah Lindsay in c.1900. I kick off the covers of my buggy and mummy puts my waterproofs on. Bright pink, so she can’t miss me! I have a good walk around the gardens, touching the spicky headges and pushing my fingers into the soft grass. We spend over half an hour here, talking to other visitors and playing hide and seek. I am fascinated with all the statues and glide my little hands over the cold stone. Mummy teaches me about textures in the garden and I find it great fun.

Mummy bundles me back into the buggy as we walk down the woodland path towards the River Thames, we walk right around the Parterre, but don’t attempt the other side of the estate, deeper into the woods, we might leave that till next time when we have more ‘daddy’ support to help us with the buggy. The National Trust has many routes around the 376 acre site, include some great paths for dog walkers. We end up missing the boat trips, Clive’s Den, Dukes Seat, Woodland Lounge and the start of the fitness and play trails. Maybe next time.

Steps prevent us walking river side with the buggy as well. So next time I will demand to be carried!! On our way back towards the car park we get a good look at the restoration work being carried out on the South Terrace of the house. This place is great, so much to see and do that I think we will be retuning for many years to come. Well done National Trust another great day. Pooped now.