countryside
For anyone hitting the highways this year, are you dreading the thought of long traffic jams and crowded service stations? Fear not. With over 300 spectacular places to visit, including historic houses, glorious gardens and stretches of stunning coast and countryside across England,Wales and Northern Ireland, a National Trust place is never more than 40 minutes away.
So why not drive on by the service station and take a scenic detour to somewhere extraordinary – a summer refreshment pit-stop that is a world away from the bustle of the motorway.
Re-fuel on delicious home-made meals and light snacks, prepared using fresh, locally-grown produce and ingredients; stretch aching legs in gardens and parks in full bloom and breathe in the fresh, summer air to help make the rest of the journey onwards enjoyable.
Click here to download the National Trust’s map of places to visit near major routes, or check out some of our favourites:
Tyntesfield, North Somerset
Restored to its Victorian glory after major renovations, Tyntesfield’s house, chapel, gardens and woodland make for an inspiring break filled with fresh air and discovery. The Home Farm visitor centre, with a restaurant, ship, exhibition space and family play area are free to visit every day. The restaurant uses local produce, including some ingredients grown on the estate, to create fresh and tasty dishes. Just off M5
Image courtesy of National Trust and John Miller
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Recharge your batteries in the beautiful 46-hectare garden, with its working water mill, wildlife discovery area and one of the finest collections of historic garden statues in the country. Visitors can try delicious, home-cooked food, made with fresh, local ingredients in the tranquil setting of Redwoods restaurant. Close to M11
Chartwell, Kent
Escape the bedlam of the M25 with a trip to Chartwell. Bought by Sir Winston Churchill for its magnificent views over the Weald of Kent to Sussex, this was his home from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms and gardens remain much as they were when he lived here, with personal mementoes strongly evoking his career and wide-ranging interests. Enjoy fresh produce from the kitchen garden in the restaurant. Close to M25
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
Between Nottingham and Sheffield, a powerful Elizabethan lady - Bess of Hardwick - still shows off her wealth at this spectacular hall with huge windows and towers. The brand new visitor facilities include the The Stableyard, with delicious dining available in the Great Barn Restaurant, alongside a beautiful range of gifts in the Ox House Shop. Follow the path of plot to plate with a stroll outside to explore the fragrant herb garden, orchards and parkland which provide food for the tables. Close to M1
Image courtesy of National Trust and John Miller
Killerton, Devon
Six miles from Exeter, this relaxed 18th-century estate makes an ideal place to stop off for a few hours. Magnolias and rhododendrons, rare trees, woodland walks and a summer house known as the “Bear’s Hut” are just some of the highlights to be found outside. Pop into the Killerton Kitchen restaurant for a hearty meal, or take tea in the Stable tea-room. Award-winning Killerton cider, chutney, flour or honey can be bought here too as a tasty reminder of your day. Close to M5
Gibside, Tyne & Wear
This stunning 18th-century landscape park and nature reserve offers a taste of the country on the edge of the city. Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces to stretch tired legs while exploring elegant buildings and ruins. Escape along the avenue for miles of tranquil walks and picnic spots or enjoy family adventures at our woodland playscape and challenge trail. Just off A1
Sizergh Castle, Gardens and Estate, Cumbria
At the gateway to the Lake District, Sizergh Castle sits in glorious gardens and a magnificent estate. The imposing house has many tales to tell, while the herbaceous borders in the garden are stunning and include the National Trust’s largest limestone rock garden. Walks across the estate give wonderful views of Morecambe Bay and the distant Lakeland fells. Sizergh Café serves a wide selection of delicious local and seasonal produce. Close to M6
Image courtesy of National Trust and Val Corbett
Mottisfont, Hampshire
The perfect pit-stop when heading south to Dorset and the Jurassic Coast, Mottisfont sits just off the M27 and M3, near Southampton. Glorious grounds set alongside the fast-flowing River Test make a tranquil retreat from busy highways, with magnificent lawns providing space to stretch the legs. Bring a picnic and find a quiet spot to put down your blanket, or try some locally, sourced homemade food in the tea room, including our ‘cake of the month’. Bored passengers can even pick up something for the journey with a bargain in our second-hand bookshop. Close to M3 and M27
Mount Stewart House, Garden and Temple of the Winds, Co. Down
Find an engaging and relaxing spot for a walk through beautiful grounds at this Neo-classical house, just 15 miles south of Belfast. Make time to take an engaging tour of the opulent house to reveal its fascinating heritage and historic, world-famous artefacts and artwork. Outside, find statues and fountains in the delightful parterres - a formal garden with patterns that are best seen from above - and take a moment to gaze across the peaceful lake overlooked by the Temple of Winds, with magnificent views of Stangford Lough. Enjoy a meal in the award-winning Bay restaurant or try the unique Mount Stewart ice-cream. 15 miles south east of Belfast
Tredegar House, Newport
New to the National Trust for 2012, this fascinating house and garden sits just off the M4 as you enter Wales. The house is a treasure trove of colourful stories from its time as a medieval manor, to a 1930s party house and 1970s comprehensive. Outdoors, 90 acres of parkland including the great lake, three walled gardens, an orangery and farm buildings mean there is plenty of room to let off steam, explore, or take a breather from the open road. Just off M4
Image courtesy of National Trust and Andrew Butler
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FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam