We always look forward to the Springtime after seemingly endless British Winters. The longer days and bright Spring sunshine entice us to head out for day trips spent in nature, enjoying gentle strolls to witness the fresh colours of Spring flowers and blossoms coming into full bloom. Visiting National Trust properties gives us the opportunity to admire hundreds of species of flora, elegantly planted in neat beds or growing wild across National Trust owned woodland. Here are our top National Trust places to visit in the Spring, each one perfect for days out with four-legged friends and little ones during the Easter holidays!
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Emmetts Garden, Kent
Emmetts is the place that originally ignited our passion for visiting National Trust places specifically to see Springtime flower displays. Here you’ll find a quaint rock garden, arranged to imitate a mountainside as it’s filled with a varied alpine plant collection. There’s also a formal rose garden featuring traditional white and pink roses that bloom in late May. The jewel in the crown, however, is Emmetts’ woodland which has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the swathes of native bluebells that bloom here in the Spring.
It really is breathtaking to walk the winding hillside paths here in late April, as you weave your way through the blanket of blue flowers. There are paths at different levels, meaning you can admire the bluebells from above or below. Emmetts is situated on one of the highest points in Kent, so you’ll be treated to panoramic views over the Weald during your visit. The arrival of the bluebells brings in a higher visitor count than usual, as guests enjoy walking amongst the stunning carpet of flowers and posing for picturesque photos, so head to Emmetts during the week for a quieter visit. At Easter time, Emmetts hosts an Easter festival with activities for little ones and a traditional fairground, plus dogs are welcome across the site, so there’s something for everyone!
Chirk Castle, Wales
Located just across the England/Wales border in Wrexham, Chirk Castle provides a fairytale setting for a walk on a sunny Spring day. The award-winning gardens feature 5.5 acres of perfectly manicured lawns, rows of daffodils, blooming cherry blossoms and herbaceous borders, and not forgetting the flora-filled woodlands. In late Winter, 2 acres of snowdrops carpet the Pleasure Ground Woods and there are seasonal events to complement their arrival, including a tour to learn all about the plants from Chirk Castle’s former head gardener.
Come April, the snowdrops make way for bluebells and daffodils that line the tranquil pathways through the woods. Our favourite route to take here is the 4km Woodland Walk – a gentle trail through the woodland with a break in the trees providing a glorious vista back towards the 13th-century castle. Little ones can enjoy Easter-themed interactive trails and crafting events, plus the cafe stocks seasonal treats like Mini Egg doughnuts and Easter nest cakes!
Chirk Castle estate is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest as an important habitat for wildflowers. Beyond the gardens, 480 acres of working parkland and wildflower meadows are waiting to be explored – perfect for those with four-legged friends. Dogs need to be kept on lead at all times, even when the pathways turn into open fields, due to the presence of farm animals. Depending on the route you choose, there are stunning views over towards the Cheshire and Shropshire plains and elevated views of the Castle, all perfect for a long stroll on a Spring day.
Greys Court, Oxfordshire
Greys Court is without a doubt one of the most spectacular National Trust places we’ve visited in Spring. The house may look familiar to Downton Abbey fans as it featured in season 3 of the show, and is a delight to walk around with 16th century stained glass windows, Rococo plasterwork, and an elegant, classical drawing room. However, what makes a visit to Greys Court in the Spring unforgettable is the vibrant gardens – each section has been carefully designed to surprise and delight visitors as they head through quaint wooden doors and enter formal gardens. Exploring the gardens here is like walking through a scene from a fairytale, and there are more than a few breathtaking sights to see.
In April the woodlands are filled with bluebells, while trees in the cherry garden burst into soft pastel shades of pink as the blossoms bloom and produce a heavenly scent, the delicate petals decorating the paved pathways as you make your way around. There are neatly planted rows of tulips and hyacinths, punctuating the green spaces with bright pops of red, purple, yellow and pink, plus blooming magnolia trees, and lemons as big as your fist growing in the greenhouses. One of the most popular sights for visitors is the wisteria, and you can walk underneath the twisted vines in a walled garden designed to immerse you in the scent and colour of the beautiful plant.
It’s worth noting that dogs are not permitted in the house or walled garden, so you may have to take turns entering these if you bring your dog along with you. While you’re waiting, there is a dog-friendly area in the tearoom, and four-legged friends are welcome in the shop. Seasonal events at Greys Court include an Easter trail for children to explore the parkland and woodland, an art exhibition celebrating the season’s colours and textures in the gardens, and Henley Arts Trail returns to Greys Court in the Spring in an open studio and exhibition event showcasing various works by artists and makers from Henley-on-Thames. Greys Court is a truly delightful day out, made especially spectacular by the arrival of Spring.
Blickling Estate, Norfolk
The expansive estate at Blickling offers the chance to see a variety of gorgeous flora throughout the Spring. Early in the season, hundreds of thousands of daffodils crop up across the estate, creating a golden glow in the Spring sunshine. In March and April, the Walled Garden bursts into colour as around 3,500 tulips come into full bloom. Each variety is meticulously planted in blocks, and the array of colours is a feast for the eyes. Around the beginning of April, the West Garden sees a variety of blossoms burst into life from the fruit trees, creating a delicate spectacle as you walk through the 55 acres of formal gardens. Magnolias come into bloom outside the West Garden and Orangery around the same time, creating a photo-worthy backdrop for a beautiful Spring family portrait during the Easter holidays.
There’s a seasonal Easter egg hunt and obstacle courses for little ones to enjoy as the weather begins to warm up in Spring, as well as events for all ages like the popular guided walks through the bluebells woods. Heading away from the formal gardens, past the famous Mausoleum landmark tucked away in the trees, visitors will find a blanket of blue in Blickling’s Great Wood. This sea of bluebells really has to be seen with your own eyes, as you follow narrow criss-crossing pathways through the woods surrounded by the plants on all sides. Dogs are allowed to join you in the woods as long as they are kept on lead – the flowers take years to recover if they are damaged or trodden on – but as long as you stick to the paths you can explore at your leisure.
Standen House, Sussex
One of the finest reflections of the Arts and Crafts movement, Standen House is filled with Morris & Co. designs – from rugs and wall hangings, to patterned wallpapers that the artist was most famous for. The House is the perfect way to spend a morning if April showers set in, though if you visit on a sunny day you’ll be rewarded with a rainbow of colour as you make your way through the grounds. The 12 acre garden at Standen is divided into different outdoor sections, each with its own theme, colours and details.
In early Spring, bluebells cover an area of around 10 acres across the estate. You’ll find them on the Sloping Lawn, or head into Rockinghill Wood for a peaceful walk as you view the flowers in their thousands. Throughout April and May, the grounds are bursting with numerous varieties of daffodils, crocuses, magnolias, tulips and blossom trees, and there’s even a heart-shaped pink rhododendron that’s best viewed from the croquet lawn. Along the house, you’ll see deep purple wisteria tendrils swaying in the breeze, providing a gorgeous vista across to the woodland beyond.
Dogs are welcome at Standen in the garden and wider estate, but must be kept on lead and they cannot enter the house or cafe. If you do head to the cafe, be sure to try one of the scones – the flavour of which changes each month to reflect the seasons! Past favourites include simnel with marzipan in time for Easter, or rhubarb and rosemary using rhubarb grown in the kitchen gardens at Standen. There are lots of Springtime events here, such as an Easter egg hunt and games for children, William Morris related events in conjunction with Morris month (March) and the William Morris Society, plus a Makers Fair set against the picturesque backdrop of the gardens, showcasing contemporary crafts and handmade wares from local makers.
Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall
An intriguing blend of exotic and native flower species and a magical sense of adventure awaits in the valley of Glendurgan Garden, where there’s something new and fascinating to discover around every corner. There are so many different pathways to take here that it’s possible to enjoy a tranquil wander through the multi-level gardens no matter how busy it gets. Take a stroll through the wildflower meadows and you’ll discover multiple species of wild orchids, or make your way through the valley and admire various species of magnolias coming into bloom in March.
As the season progresses, daffodils, crocuses and primroses punctuate the green space with vibrant colours, and by April you’ll find bluebells sweeping through the valley. Spectacular displays of pink and purple rhododendrons and foxgloves brighten up May days, and there are two orchards filled with apple and cherry blossoms in soft pastel hues as well as delicate and rare handkerchief trees that flower in May through into June.
Come Easter, little ones can enjoy the adventure trail map to uncover hidden wonders throughout the garden, with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. If your Springtime visit doesn’t coincide with the holiday, you can entertain children with a wander through the maze – numerous twisting pathways lead you through the cherry laurel hedge – even adults will find it challenging! (If you’d rather spectate, head up into the woods to find the viewing platform and watch your party tackle the maze from above).
Once you’ve found your way out of the maze, head along the coast path to sit on the cosy, picturesque pebble beach at Durgan – the perfect place to relax in the Spring sunshine! Dogs are welcome to splash around in the water here, and can roam everywhere at Glendurgan Garden apart from the maze, school house and orchards. Luckily, four-legged friends are welcome in the Tea House, where you’ll find ample outdoor seating and real Cornish pasties that we always love to indulge in after a day of walking up and down the valley!
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