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'I felt like I’d stepped into Pride and Prejudice': 8 unforgettable National Trust spots to visit this summer – plus where to stay
Whether you're after a peaceful stroll, a grand country house or a famous filming location, these deserve a place on your summer list
Few things beat a day spent exploring a beautiful corner of the UK, from magnificent historic houses and flower-filled gardens to wild countryside and peaceful lakeside settings.
Many glorious UK spots that offer a memorable day trip, or even the base for a weekend away, are cared for by the National Trust – from sprawling grand estates to enchanting landscapes that look as if they are plucked straight from a film (some even are!).
Here, the Country Living team shares eight favourites worth adding to your must-visit list.
Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk
Few places make an entrance quite like Oxburgh Hall. The first glimpse of its red-brick towers reflected in the moat feels wonderfully theatrical, and stepping through the gatehouse is like entering another world. Inside, richly decorated rooms reveal the story of the Bedingfeld family, while the hidden priest hole offers a fascinating glimpse into the house’s Catholic past. Outside, I love wandering through the walled garden and along the moat, where every turn reveals another picture-perfect view.
Suggested by Lauran Elsden, features editor
Morden Hall
It’s hard to believe this peaceful pocket of parkland is so close to central London. I love following the River Wandle through meadows and wetlands, crossing little bridges and pausing beneath the trees when city life feels a bit too hectic. In summer, the Edwardian rose garden is a delight, with more than 40 varieties filling its formal beds with clouds of colour and fragrance. Within minutes of leaving Morden station, I feel as though I’ve escaped to the countryside.
Vicky Carlisle, editor
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Sissinghurst, Kent
Whatever the weather, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a magical place to visit. Some of my happiest memories here are of rainy days, when the crowds melt away and the garden feels almost entirely your own. In summer, the celebrated White Garden is especially breathtaking: a luminous tapestry of white and green, uninterrupted by other colours. Arrive first thing or towards the end of the day and you may have its quiet paths and richly planted borders almost to yourself.
Suggested by Helen Daly, deputy editor
Stourhead, Wiltshire
The Stourhead estate, located on the Wiltshire-Somerset border, is made up of a Palladian-style villa (one of the first to be built in England) and world-famous landscape garden. In fact, you might recognise this scenic spot from the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice, in which Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth in the pouring rain – visiting it, I felt as though I’d stepped straight into the scene.
Film connections aside, this enchanting spot is a lovely place to spend the day. Don't miss the lovely lawns, lakeside walks and Alfred's Tower – an amazing red-brick folly – in the neo-classical garden. There's plenty to enjoy – even if your visit doesn't guarantee a climatic, romantic proposal.
Suggested by Lizzie Thomson, multiplatform editor
Osterley Park and House, Middlesex
Osterley Park and House in Middlesex really does feel as if it’s in the countryside (apart from the occasional plane going to and from Heathrow). It’s got everything you need for a lovely day out – parkland, paths, bike routes, lakes, wildlife, sweeping lawns, a Georgian house, a great café and shop… plus a Parkrun on Saturday morning.
Suggested by Michele Jameson, chief sub editor
Avebury Manor, Wiltshire
With its rolling chalk hills and vast, open skies, the landscape surrounding Avebury holds an elemental power.
At its centre lies my favourite National Trust site, the Neolithic henge: an immense earthwork ringed with ancient sarsen stones – many still standing – that have lasted for more than 4,000 years. To visit is to feel a peaceful, enduring connection to the ancient communities that raised the stones and shaped the earth into something sacred, even now.
Suggested by Maddy Ando, homes writer
Sheffield Park, East Sussex
Nestled in the East Sussex countryside, Sheffield Park is adored by day-trippers looking to escape the capital — but it’s during the autumn season when the gardens really sing. From late September onwards, red-tinged trees glisten in the lake (look out for the 25 species of Acer), golden leaves crunch underfoot, and forests become a vision of bright orange. I can’t wait to slip on my walking boots, pack a Thermos of hot tea, and soak up its autumnal splendour.
Suggested by Lisa Joyner, deputy multiplatform editor
Knole Park, Kent
Now that Knole Park is on my doorstep (following a recent house move), I’ve been spending more and more time there – and it’s fast becoming my favourite way to unwind.
At the 600-year-old estate, you'll find courtyards, showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and acres of parkland, which is calm and open – perfect for clearing my head and enjoying the outdoors. The light is especially lovely at this time of year, and there’s always something new to spot. Look out for the deer especially – as this medieval deer park is the last of its kind in Kent.
Suggested by Sonia Rowe, social manager
Lizzie is the multiplatform editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
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