Family day out: Stourhead National Trust, Wiltshire
Sometimes it feels like there isn’t enough time in the world. And Stourhead in Wiltshire certainly deserves more than being a quick stop-off between London and Devon.
But as it was perfectly placed to break up our journey, with a helpful café for lunch, gorgeous grounds to stretch our legs and more than enough to occupy us for a few hours, I’d chosen the National Trust property as our half-way point.
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It’s not hard to beat a motorway service station, but we’d had quite a bit of success breaking another long car journey with a different National Trust property, Packwood House last year.
So I was determined to make the most of my shiny new membership card on our last-minute weekend away to Brixham too with a (mini) family day out in Wiltshire and a stop off at Stourhead.
We didn’t even get chance to go inside the Palladian mansion, although with a two-year-old in tow the gardens usually get more attention these days anyway. Although saying ‘gardens’ is underselling it – there are 2,650 acres of estate including chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland, plus the tallest oak in Britain at 40.4m.
The centre is a huge lake with classical temples and picturesque bridges reflected in the calm waters, as well as a long winding trail leading past lush plants and flowers down to the water. No wonder it’s been called ‘a living work of art’.
On the day we visited, there was a wedding scheduled in the grounds – even with slightly overcast June weather, it was hard to think of many lovelier settings than the waterside temple.
The map you’re given on the way in gives various different routes and trails, and if you have time, there is a path around the lake itself.
Along the way, information boards tell ‘Harry’s story’, about the boy who grew up here before the First World War, and how that conflict changed Stourhead’s future.
There are tours and even an app to learn more about the gardens, along with the chance for kids to tick some of the 50 things off their list and family tracker packs.
You can also spot (or visit) St Peter’s Church and the Spread Eagle Inn, as well as an art gallery featuring work from local artists.
Need to know: Family Wiltshire – Stourhead with kids
Stourhead tickets cost from £20 for adults, £10 for children and entry is free for members. There is also a family ticket from £30 for one adult and two children.
The house does close during the winter so check the website before you visit.
Do bear in mind that the main café is outside the entrance, so it’s worth taking a picnic or planning your visit to avoid going up and down the hill at the start – there is also an ice cream parlour with snacks.
*Last updated 2024*
Disclosure: My membership is courtesy of the National Trust. All opinions, choice of place to visit and ridiculous schedules are my own. Contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.
Images and video copyright MummyTravels
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What a beautiful place. So much space for Minnie to run around the grounds- perfect. An amazing place to get married too! #mondayescapes
It’s so lovely, and we could easily have spent a day running around in the grounds (if we’d had time)
That does look a lovely NT property-you can’t beat them really can you for family visits? Packwood is one of our local properties-such a great spot.
They’re fantastic aren’t they? Always so beautiful and so much to do – my daughter adored the bear picnic at Packwood (not sure if it’s still in the kitchen garden) but that was such a lovely one to explore as well.
This place is so stunning! Its always so worth it to be a member of NT because all of their properties are just amazing and gorgeous like this one! #MondayEscapes
Absolutely – it always amazes me how many wonderful places there are tucked away.
Love the gigantic book! And so much space to roam and explore! Awesome!
It was great – we could have explored for hours!
What a beautiful place!! Must be amazing to get married there!!
I love the photo of the huge book and your daughter <3
Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes 🙂
The lake is just stunning, isn’t it. No more plans to get married (again) but maybe I should add it to my fantasy list of places to renew my vows… And the huge book is a cute touch at the entrance
What a lovely place to visit. Can’t believe you didn’t get inside! Maybe when Minnie is older…..
So beautiful – I would have loved to have seen the house as well. The downside to having limited time to explore!
This is such a beautiful place. The temple on the lake is stunning. I love your daughters hat too! 😀
I would have really wanted to see inside the building as well, but the grounds are absolutely stunning. There is so much to explore. I love going to big houses. Yet another reminder I need to get a National Trust membership!! Thank you so much for linking up with #whatevertheweather x
Oh wow this is really pretty! We also stop off somewhere in Wiltshire too on the way to Devon, and you’re so right, it really is worth making it more that just a stopover. We had done Salisbury and Yeovil, but now we know about Stourhead too – thanks! Sabrina xx #whatevertheweather
I suppose the benefit of having NT membership is we could pop back for the day, now I’ve discovered it (just about) – I love Salisbury too, but have never been to Yeovil properly (two hours for work once I think!)
What a beautiful place! It looks like it belongs in a fairy tale 🙂 Thanks for sharing #Whatevertheweather
Doesn’t it!
Such a lovely spot! I know what you mean about just looking at the gardens nowadays, not sure if I would trust my boys inside anyhow. An amazing amount of land there to explore and lots of interesting features. A great stop over!
Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather. 🙂 x
Exactly! We do normally try to get a quick look around inside – even just 20-30 minutes once some energy has been run off outside. I am paranoid about precious historic things combined with an excited three-year-old though! There was so much to see outside I didn’t feel we missed out here though.
This place looks absolutely stunning. Must have a look and see how far away it is from me. Thanks for sharing those gorgeous photos #WhateverTheWeather
Thanks! And my pleasure – hope it’s near enough for you to see for yourself?