At the end of February last year, we went to visit Bodiam Castle for the first time. When we checked how much the entrance fees were, we found them to be quite steep. BUT there was the option of getting a National Trust family membership for 12 months, paying less than £10 per month (in total for the three of us, giving free entrance to all NT properties). After a quick glance at what other National Trust places there are in our corner of the country, we opted for the membership.
At the time, we had only recently relocated back to the UK after over 20 years in Sweden, and this seemed like a very good opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the history and cultural heritage of the region, while at the same time offering some great learning experiences for Penguin.
We’ve now enjoyed our National Trust membership for a whole year, and I’d like to celebrate this anniversary with a mainly photo based post, looking back at some of the experiences we’ve had. When we find somewhere we really enjoy (and this could be read as ‘somewhere Penguin really enjoys’) we like to go back there, so despite us having used our membership passes more than 15 times over the past 12 months, we’ve only been to 5 different places.
As I said, Bodiam Castle is where it all started, at the end of Februray. The castle was built in the 14th Century, and sits beautifully in its moat. Although it is a ruin, there are towers and steps to climb and spaces to explore. The green and supposedly deep well in one of the towers quickly became a favourite for Penguin.
In March and April, we visited four more National Trust places: Bateman’s, Sissinghurst, Scotney Castle and Sheffield Park & Garden.
Bateman’s is famous for having been the home of the author Rudyard Kipling, who lived at Bateman’s from 1902 until his death in 1936. The main house was however built a long time before then, in 1632.
One of our favourite features at Bateman’s is the old mill, which is in the dark brown part of the building seen below. There’s a lot of hands-on learning material available there, to explain about how the mill used to work and how grains were ground into flour etc. There’s also a screen showing a film of the mill in use – and Penguin is always happy to watch a screen (so much more contained and controllable compared to the world in general, which can sometimes be percieved as annoyingly unpredictable and even quite chaotic).
Sissinghurst Castle Garden is another former home of a famous author, though I must admit that I heard of her world famous garden first, then her writings. When we went there for the first time (bucket list moment for me, yay!!) in the third week of March, I found the gardens almost overwhelmingly beautiful. The weather might have helped, too.
It all got a bit overwhelming for Penguin as well, but sitting down for a fruit break and a drink, with the sheep grazing peacefully next to us, worked as a kind of ‘reboot’ and he then went on to enjoy exploring more of the surrounding countryside.
Our first visit to Scotney Castle was on a bright and sunny day in early April. There was some scaffolding around parts of the old castle ruin, but it didn’t impair too much on our impression of this place.
Scotney is a really versatile place, with many different routes and features to discover. We’ve been back two more times since last spring, and you can find more pictures and a lot more information about Scotney Castle in this post which I wrote after our latest visit, in January: Penguin goes to… Scotney Castle!
Later in April we went to Sheffield Park and Garden, which is the only of the five places we’ve visited that we’ve (as yet) only been to once. That’s not because of anything to do with the actual place, which was stunning, impressive, and great fun to explore, but just down to it being quite far from us, so a longer drive and therefor less convenient, compared to the other four properties. I’m hoping we’ll make it back there again soon. Penguin sometime’s looks at our photos from that outing, and I’m sure he’d be delighted to revisit it!
In May, we went back to Sissinghurst, and this time we made it up to the terrace at the top of the towers. It was quite blowy up there, and the views streched for miles and miles. Penguin was pretty excited with it!
On the same visit, Penguin also discovered a suprising talent for sheep herding. Not sure quite what to make of that… 🤔☺️
For no particular reason, we ended up not going to any National Trust places in June or July. But in August, we were back at Bodiam, and then to Scotney and Sissinghurst again in September.
My birthday, in late October, was spent at Bodiam. There were a few Halloween activities on, and slightly busier than how we prefer it, but still a lovely day:
On our visit to Sissinghurst in early December, it was clear that the garden was resting, and the towers had been wrapped up – for renovations, not a Christo art piece. The weather was quite dull, and nature went mostly in shades of brown. This time we had a good look at the den making area they’ve arranged for kids. Penguin wasn’t as impressed as me though 🙄 Maybe he’ll be more up for it on a brighter day… We’ll be back.
Actually, we were back at Sissinghurst again recently, as you can read about here: A Sunday Walk at Sissinghurst But we didn’t get around to building any dens this time either.
All in all, I think we’ve got really good value out of our 12 month family membership with the National Trust. What do you think..?
*****
This post is NOT sponsored in any way and all opinions are my own. The photographs are also mine and may not be used without written permission from me. Thank you.
Sensational Learning with Penguin 
I’ve read about the national trust passes before and think they are great value! I must see if we have a similar system in Holland. All of these locations are absolutely stunning and beautifully captured. Your photography is stunning. I really love the light in the October shot at Bodium castle and the old mill with the reflection in the water. Thank you for linking up to #PointShoot 📸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Catie! We seem to share similar tastes in some ways, I too really like those two photos, for the same reasons as you’re mentioning ☺️
We’re about to move into a house this evening (!) so I’ll be back to read the other posts tomorrow xx
LikeLike
It sure looks like you got your money’s worth! What a fun year of exploring. #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been good 😀 Thank you!
LikeLike
Each one of them is amazing in their own way! Getting a membership is really worth it when it comes to NT! #pointshoot
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Merlinda! x
LikeLike
Stunning photos throughout and a great recap of your year with the National Trust – 15 outings in 12 months is good going indeed, well worth the membership money!
#PointShoot
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! We try to get out and about a lot as part of Penguin’s home ed, so we do a lot more now than when he was at school. He didn’t really have much energy left then, and more did I to be honest 😬xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get to make the most of it again this year from your new house 😉
Popping back from #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ☺️👍x
LikeLiked by 1 person
What stunning photos – I need to check out what National Trust properties are near me in Scotland. #fortheloveofBLOG
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I hope you’ll find some gems near you! X
LikeLike
I’ve heard lots of good things about National Trust memberships, and this post showcases just why so many families enjoy having one. You’ve visited some stunning locations over the last year, and it’s interesting seeing the different season through the photos shared too. #MMBC
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your lovely comment, Jade! x
LikeLike
Sheffield Park Gardens are gorgeous. We are in Surrey and last year went to Winkworth Arboretum which is also lovely. I really need to get membership as there are so many great places to visit. #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, so many amazing places, all over the country! x
LikeLike
It sounds like the membership is worth it, your photos are gorgeous and all the places you’ve visited look beautiful. #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ruth! 😊 x
LikeLike
You’re lucky to have such lovely NT properties so close to you. We have trek quite far to our nearest, Wimpole, but it’s worth the journey. We visited Bodiam at half term, such a stunning place and such a fun castle for kids! #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, feeling lucky to live in this often beautiful corner of the world 😊
Wimpole looks really amazing! Good to hear you enjoyed Bodiam as well x
LikeLiked by 1 person
These places look amazing. I guess it is like our national park system here! #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m guessing that your national parks are generally much larger than these gardens, parks, stately homes etc. But yes, it could be a similar system. Do you have any national parks near you? 🙂
LikeLike
What a fantastic year with the National Trust…you’ve enjoyed so much over the months #ExplorerKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes we have 😀x
LikeLike
What lovely pictures. I love the castle. #explorekids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! x
LikeLike
You’ve certainly made use of your membership. We’ve had ours for a year too but we haven’t been out as much as you, we only managed three places last year. I’m determined we’ll do more this year though, I really do love visiting these places. You have some lovely places to go in your area and it’s always nice to go back and see what it’s like in different seasons. Some of the gardens are truly amazing.
#countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s brilliant to go back and see the changes throughout the seasons, isn’t it? I hope you’ll get plenty of chances for more outings this year! x
LikeLike
Your photos are stunning. We have just renewed our NT membership. It is such great value for money. Like you, we have revisited our favourite places throughout the year. It is nice to see the changing landscape and there are always new activities for the children. I hope you enjoy this years membership just as much #countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Louise! Great to hear that you too are getting plenty of great experiences out of your membership! 😀x
LikeLike
It’s clear that Penguin loves discovering the adventures at your local National Trusts, they really are wonderful spaces to get out and enjoy the fresh air as a family. I can see why these four properties are the four you most regularly visit, with plenty of space and sensory spots for monkey. Visiting the same places throughout the year is great for learning too as you can see the changes the seasons bring.
Thanks for sharing your favourite National Trust spots with me on #CountryKids.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Fiona! Yes, absolutely as you say, great places and really good for learning about the seasons (as well as history etc) 😀👍x
LikeLike
These all look so beautiful. When we lived in the UK we had the member ship too and it was so worth it. The areas are beautiful and my three love exploring the grounds around them #countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sonia! Yes, there are so many lovely places here 😊 I hope you’re finding lots of great places to explore in Sweden, too. Is it on the west coast you’re living now (Halland or..?)? We used to live not far from Ystad in Skane before we moved back here, but we’ve also lived in the Stockholm area as well as Vasteras and Malmoe 🙂x
LikeLike
We’ve been to a few of the places you’ve mentioned,and use our National Trust almost weekly. I recommend it to all my friends with kids, so many places to explore and we love stamping our passport now too #CountryKids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Almost weekly is very impressive 😀 That’s lovely x
LikeLike
National Trust properties sound great. Full of education and fun. Your photos are lovely. #mmbc
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😊 Yes, the NT properties have a lot going for them for sure! x
LikeLike
The National Trust passes are great value aren’t they. Such great photos. #countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great value indeed 😊👍 Thank you! 💕
LikeLike
Beautiful photos. NT membership really is worth it and I recognise all these properties as we live in East Sussex and have been to them all. Mich x #Countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mich! That’s lovely to hear 😊x
LikeLike
National Trust membership are such great value for money and there are so many great places to visit. #ExplorerKids
LikeLike
Sheffield Park Gardens look gorgeous. I have never been here before, but if I am in the area I will try to visit. We do love the National Trust properties up here. #pointshoot
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s stunning, and they have so many amazing trees and bushes there, as well as some great water features. Lovely place indeed 🙂x
LikeLike
It looks like you have had some wonderful days out and sounds like you have made fantastic use of your National Trust passes….I have thought about buying them for the year but all the National Trust places up here are such a faff to get to on public transport. (Neither my fella or I drive) #MMBC
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kim! Yes, getting to these places without a car is a bother – and one we’re feeling at the moment as ours failed its MOT badly about a week ago… So we’re a little bit stranded for now. Hoping to get back ‘on the road’ again before the summer xx
LikeLike
Wow so many stunning historical places to visit. They all look absolutely gorgeous and I bet they are so interesting too. What a wonderful thing to do! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, yes I feel really grateful that we’ve had the possibility to visit these amazing places! They’re lovely, and as you say very interesting as well x
LikeLike
Such stunning pictures. We love our National Trust memberships – best purchase ever! #countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, they’re fantastic value, right? (Now we just need to get a car that works again, so we can get around…😬) x
LikeLike
What beautiful pictures! I am a huge fan of National Trust properties and love having our membership! Thanks for sharing with #fortheloveofBLOG
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear that you too are enjoying your NT membership, brilliant! 😀x
LikeLike
What a smorgasboard of photographs; I envy you this place. You seem to be enjoying some lovely architecture and outdoors at the same time! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, I feel very lucky that we have the opportunity to enjoy these surroundings! ✨
LikeLike
National Trust manages some awesome properties. Glad you got to explore some of them and get good use of the membership. 🙂 #AdventureCalling
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Urska! x
LikeLike
When we lived in Newcastle upon Tyne there were so many NT properties our membership was sapped dry, we loved it. Great blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful to hear! Thank you x
LikeLike
It certainly sounds like you made the most of your National Trust membership! We’ve had it for a couple of years and it’s been well worth it. Like you, we tend to go back to the same places time and time again and it is lovely seeing them at different times of year. I love the photo of the gardens at Sissinghurst in March – they are so beautiful. We’ve not been to any of these properties but they all look like lovely places to visit if we are ever in the area. #countrykids
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Louise! Yes, it’s great going back to see the changes throughout the seasons 😍🌱x
LikeLike
I didn’t realise there was so much to see in the South East! I think we will get a pass when Dee is a bit older and we start properly home schooling. It will be good to be able to get out to interesting places! #BlogCrush
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s fantastic really! Are you planning for home education instead of regular school? x
LikeLike
Yes, 99% sure – the plan is to go travelling as a family when she’s a bit older and learn on the road
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’ll be super exciting for you all, and is such a fab life plan xx
LikeLike
The NT properties look amazing and we will definitely consider membership! A great chance for children to explore the outdoors and get an appreciation of historical buildings. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
LikeLike
the NT have some amazing properties #adventurecalling
LikeLiked by 1 person
They certainly do 😊x
LikeLike
You really are lucky to live somewhere so beautiful, in a country that has treasures like this, Gorgeous photos, Thank you for being part of the #mg community
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mac! Yes, I’m very grateful to be where I am, locationwise 🙏😌xx
LikeLike
What gorgeous photos. We had a NT membership for a short time but we just didn’t use it enough. I’m pleased you’ve managed to make the most of it. Thanks for joining in at #TriumphantTales
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! 💕x
LikeLike
What lovely photos! My parents are part of the National Trust and we always go to some stunning places with them when we’re visiting. We looked into getting it for ourselves as we love to be outdoors as a family, but there aren’t many properties around us so it wasn’t really worth it. But, as I say, your photos here are lovely, and I’m sure hold many happy memories for you all #blogcrush
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Lucy! 💕 Great to hear that your parents are enjoying their local NT places too! xx
LikeLike
Some great photos! National Trust membership is such a great way to get out and about and see the country. Bodiam looks wonderful and Sissinghurst seems to be a favourite of yours..the view from the tower was stunning. #AdventureCalling
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! Yes. these places are fantastic, and it’s lovely that they’re kept open for people to visit. x
LikeLike
Great photos! I love how you can see the changing seasons as you look through them. I think that a NT membership is great value, they offer so many fantastic family days out. You’re lucky to have so many beautiful properties nearby, I really should make more use of ours. Thank you for sharing #AdventureCalling
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lauren! Yes, we do feel lucky to have these wonderful places nearby. Now we ‘just’ need to sort our car situation out, so we can get to them again… 😬x
LikeLike
National Trust membership makes so much sense if you get out as a family often. We have one and certainly make the most of it. You definitely had a great first 12 months of membership! #adventurecalling
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, yes we did! And I enjoy reading about the adventures you and your family get up to, like exploring the NT Formby Beach for example! 🙂
LikeLike
The National Trust nis great, this took me back to childhood, when I visited a national trust property with school, we were told that the building had a haunted room and my friend and I convinced ourselves that we saw the ghost #satsesh@_karendennis
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, that’s a lovely memory Karen! I too used to think I could see or sense ghosts and other supernatural beings sometimes when I was a child. I guess I had a vivid imagination and a lot of time on my hands ☺️ Nowadays my hands and mind are quite busy enough with what is here and now! x
LikeLike
#thesatsesh controversial to the other comments, I’m not a fan of the NT. I am obviously glad you’ve been blessed with so many adventures but I don’t like how the NT is run and that it (as an organisation) voted in favour of fox hunting on its land. I do love your photography though lovely, seriously talented Mumma
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lucy, first of all I hope everything is okay with you at the moment, as I just tried to visit your blog but it says the domain has expired 😳 And then I thought I’d check in on you on Twitter, IG and fb but there’s nothing new posted from you there in the last few days. I really hope all is ok with you ❤️
With regards to my post and your comment on it, I can say that I have mixed feelings about the fox hunting etc (I’m a vegetarian since childhood and find the killing of animals very problematic… have conflicting feelings about fish and seafood as I still eat those). But I’m thankful for being able to visit these historical places…
Thank you so much for your comment about my photography! I spend quite a bit of time trying to make my photos look as good as possible, so it means a lot to get positive feedback 💕
Again, I hope you’re alright! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Babes, all is booming. School show took, mocks to mark and escaping to the sun when possible has meant I haven’t been uploading. However, I’m back online and ready to blog again (my domain came up for renewal), however very blessed you asked and love this lovely comment 🙂 yes, I’m not as ethical as you but I can’t support anything that support foxes and badger culling / hunting x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’m so relieved to hear that you’re okay! 💗 Wonderful, phew!!
I don’t expect anyone to have a constant online presence, and I can certainly ‘disappear’ for a while myself every now and then. It was just the fact that your domain seemed gone that got me worried really, that something might have happened to you. I totally understand that this time of the year must be super hectic for most teachers! All the best wishes 💞xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha the stream flows at a fast pace but I don’t label it stress, it’s the fun of the ride. Anyway, love gratefully received
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooh i LOVED this post and it’s inspired me to visit Sissinghurst and Batemans next with the fam. The photos are fabulous – the colours of the autumn ones are particularly beautiful. Have you ever been to Igtham Mote? I think you’d love it if it’s not too much of a drive (take a spare pair of clothes for Penguin as there’s water to splah around in 🙂 xx #thesatsesh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Hayley! 💕 It’s fantastic to hear that you’ve been inspired by this and thank you so much for your lovely words about my photos! We haven’t been to Ightham mote yet. It’s quite a long journey up from us, but looks worth it! Thank you for the recommendation, and yep, we always bring spare clothes on our little outings 😊 I usually bring some for us adults too, in case we’d need to jump in and rescue (hoping that’ll never happen though 🤞) xx
PS. Do you know if Lucy is ok? I just tried visiting her blog and it says it’s expired 😳 I hope she’s alright ♥️xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww it is definitely worth a trip if the journey is doable. I’ve just messaged Lucy about the blog – hoping she’s got it under control. Thanks for the heads up xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again Hayley, and I hope all is fine with Lucy ❤️ xx
LikeLiked by 1 person