The National Trust cares for key properties and areas of outstanding natural beauty in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Here we take a closer look at two National Trust properties.
Shugborough Estate
Situated in Milford (near Stafford in the Midlands) is a National Trust property, Shugborough Estate. The House is Georgian and is surrounded by beautiful grounds and delightful gardens, with an arboretum and Europe’s widest yew tree. Visitors are welcome in the house which contains original furniture, artefacts from the Georgian period and the apartment of Patrick Lichfield, 5th Earl and a fashion photographer who was famous for taking many images of the late Princess Diana.
As you walk around the grounds, you may see many farmyard animals and a variety of birds. You may walk through the grounds to the local canal. There are refreshments to be purchased from local canal boats and I recommend the food and drink at The Canalside Farm, shop and café.
Shugborough has many places for a picnic and food and drink can be purchased from two cafés. There is an indoor and outdoor area for you to enjoy beverages and the luxury hot chocolate is rather delicious as well and of course let’s not forget the freshly made cakes.
During school holidays, there are many activities that take place at this estate. From Saturday 10th February to Sunday 10th March there is a ‘Ruby Plants a Radish family trail’ (free of charge). You may follow the story of ‘Ruby Plants a Radish’ by Katy Petty based around the Walled Gardens and Park and Farm.
My children particularly enjoy the wooden play area which features a zip wire, a den building area and a climbing wall. They have spent many hours playing in this lovely outdoor space playing games of make believe with their cousins and making new friends.
Shugborough is a great place to bring dogs. All are welcome but they must be on a lead. My dog becomes super excited when she enters the ground and enjoys the physical features that Shugborough has to offer.
My family have a yearly family pass and Shugborough is always a place we visit time and time again. The team of volunteers at the estate make it an enjoyable visit every time and are both helpful and knowledgeable. I would recommend visiting this jewel of Milford.
For more information – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/shugborough-estate
Moseley Old Hall
Moseley Old Hall is located in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton and was built around 1600. It was the hiding place of Charles II when he escaped the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The National Trust volunteers are passionate about the history of this property and retell the story of Charles II, identifying where he hid to avoid capture as well as wearing costumes from this period. The house has original furniture and is set out as it was in the 1600’s. It has a walled garden where they grow herbs and vegetables as well as an orchard and knot garden.
The grounds have a mud kitchen, den building and an impressive tree hide which is like a huge treehouse with 3 floors. My children have had many happy days playing in this tree hide.
Moseley Old Hall has a delightful tearoom which serves both hot and cold food with plenty of seating both inside and out. There are refreshment hatches and grass areas for you to have a picnic and the ice cream is a delight for the senses.
Dogs are also welcome here on a lead. My dog loves the grassy areas and the trees which are rife with squirrels (her favourite animal to chase). It is peaceful and spacious, and you may even be lucky enough to visit when they host a craft fayre, as they do from time to time. We visited Moseley Old Hall in the Summer and outdoor games were set up for everyone to enjoy with the likes of connect four, bean bag targets, a maize and more for all to enjoy. The hall offers a great family day out, we will be visiting again this summer.
More information can be found here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/moseley-old-hall/
Written by Clare Friend
