We recently bought a family pass for the National Trust and I am now possibly a little obsessed with visiting different places, leafing through the brochure, planning trips and reading reviews trying to find the best places. So I figured if this is what I’m doing then maybe other people do this too and although the National Trust website is brilliant all the blurbs are written from a PR stance to encourage you to visit and what I wanted was reviews by parents, real experiences, and top tips, so I decided to collate as many as possible and put them all into one place to make it easier to find.
All the below reviews have been written by parent bloggers based on their real experiences after family days out. The following reviews and this post have not been written in collaboration with the National Trust is a full of honest opinions and own personal photographs. So whether you are going walking in Ireland, chasing waterfalls in Wales, or exploring the coast line in the UK you are bound to find the perfect National Trust place to enhance your trip.
National Trust Reviews
Click on the names of the National Trust places below and you will be taken to in depth, honest reviews, written by parents based on their experiences.
Devon and Dorset
Devon and Dorset are neighboring counties in the southwest of England, known for their stunning coastlines, rolling countryside, and historic towns. Devon is famous for its two coastlines, Dartmoor National Park, and cream teas, while Dorset boasts the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with dramatic cliffs and fossil-rich beaches.
Here are some of the best National Trust places to visit when in this area of the UK.
Arlington Court and National Trust Carriage Museum – country home and estate, perfect for animal lovers
Golden Cap – Beautiful walking paths
Kingston Lacy – A house and gardens, great for rainy days
Somerset and Wiltshire
Somerset and Wiltshire are counties in southwest England, each with a rich heritage and striking landscapes. Somerset is known for its cider, the Mendip and Quantock Hills, and the iconic Glastonbury Tor, while Wiltshire is home to ancient landmarks such as Stonehenge and Avebury, as well as vast chalk downs and charming market towns.
Montacute House – Beautiful house and gardens to explore
Stourhead – Indoor and outdoor activities and very child friendly with an indoor play area and lovely cafe
Cornwall
Trelissick Gardens – 300 acreas of incredible gardens
The Cotswolds, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
The Cotswolds, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire each offer a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage in southern England. The Cotswolds are renowned for their rolling hills, honey-colored stone villages, and quintessentially English countryside charm. Buckinghamshire is known for its Chiltern Hills, historic estates, and market towns, while Oxfordshire combines the rural beauty of the Thames Valley with the world-famous city of Oxford and its prestigious university.
Chedworth Roman Villa – lots of hands on activities for the kids
Waddesdon Manor – Indoor and outdoor fun including a park with a zip wire
Berkshire and Hampshire
Berkshire and Hampshire both have their own unique character in southern England. Berkshire, often called the “Royal County,” is home to Windsor Castle and stretches of the River Thames. Hampshire offers a mix of historic cities like Winchester, two national parks—the New Forest and South Downs—and a vibrant coastline.
The Vyne – Steeped in history
Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Kent, Surrey, and Sussex form a picturesque part of southeast England with a rich mix of countryside and coast. Kent, known as the “Garden of England,” is famous for its orchards, vineyards, and historic castles. Surrey offers leafy woodlands, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and close links to London. Sussex, split into East and West, combines the rolling South Downs with a lively coastline that includes resorts like Brighton and historic towns such as Hastings and Arundel.
Knole Park – House and gardens
Sheffield Park and Garden – A lovely lake with ducks to feed
London
London, the capital of England and the UK, is a global city renowned for its history, culture, and diversity. It blends iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament with modern attractions, world-class museums, theatres, and a vibrant mix of neighborhoods.
Morden Hall Park – A brilliant outdoor park
East Midlands
The East Midlands is a region of central England that includes counties such as Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Rutland. It is known for its varied landscapes, from the rugged Peak District to the flat Fens, as well as historic cities like Nottingham and Leicester. The region blends rich industrial heritage with cultural landmarks and scenic countryside.
Clumber Park – Great for kids
West Midlands
The West Midlands is a region of central England that includes counties such as Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire, along with the urban heart of Birmingham and Coventry. It is known for its role in the Industrial Revolution, historic towns like Stratford-upon-Avon, and landscapes ranging from the Malvern Hills to the Ironbridge Gorge. The region combines vibrant cities with rich history and beautiful countryside.
Baddesley Clinton – Fantastic out door play areas for kids to explore
Charlecote Park – Hands on cookery activities inside and deer wandering around outside
Croft Castle and Parkland – Lots of outdoor fun for kids
Moseley Old Hall – Great outdoor park suitable for older ones
Wightwick Manor and Gardens – Indoor and outdoor areas to explore
North West
The North West of England is a diverse region that includes counties such as Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, and Greater Manchester, as well as the city of Liverpool. It is famous for the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside vibrant urban centres with rich industrial, cultural, and sporting heritage. The region offers a mix of dramatic landscapes, historic towns, and world-renowned music and football culture.
Dunham Massey – Lots of activities for kids to do
Hare Hill Beautiful gardens to explore
Lyme – House, gardens and woodlands to explore, can stay all day
Quarry Bank – Playground for the kids
The Lakes
The Lake District, often simply called the Lakes, is a stunning national park in Cumbria, North West England. It is renowned for its dramatic mountains, tranquil lakes, and picturesque villages, inspiring generations of poets, writers, and artists. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a beloved destination for walking, boating, and exploring England’s natural beauty.
Aira Force and Ullswater Great for those that love to walk
Wray Castle – Can explore inside the castle
Yorkshire
Yorkshire, the largest historic county in England, is famed for its dramatic landscapes, rich heritage, and strong cultural identity. It is home to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, as well as vibrant cities like York, Leeds, and Sheffield. Known as “God’s Own Country,” Yorkshire combines rolling countryside and rugged coastline with historic castles, abbeys, and a proud industrial past.
Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens – An amazing tea rooms, worth a visit
Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Garden Brilliant park area for the kids
North East
The North East of England is a region known for its striking coastline, wild landscapes, and proud history. It includes vibrant cities such as Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, and Durham, with its UNESCO-listed cathedral and castle. The region also boasts Hadrian’s Wall, dramatic stretches of Northumberland’s countryside, and a strong cultural and industrial heritage.
Cherryburn – Lovely little house to explore steeped in history
Wales
Wales is a country in the west of Great Britain, celebrated for its rugged mountains, beautiful coastlines, and rich Celtic heritage. It is home to three national parks—Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, and Pembrokeshire Coast—as well as historic castles, a thriving Welsh language and culture, and vibrant cities like Cardiff and Swansea.
Dyffryn Garden – Great for animal lovers
Llanerchaeron – Interesting house to explore
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, is known for its dramatic landscapes, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. It features iconic natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, and the rugged Antrim Coast, as well as vibrant cities such as Belfast and Derry~Londonderry. Rich in history and tradition, it blends ancient sites and castles with modern culture, music, and arts.
Carrick-a-Rede – Coastal walk