Family Day Out: Polesden Lacey National Trust
The forecast hadn’t lied. The sky was blue, blue, blue and the sun was shining. I think I was out of the door and into the car faster than a greyhound out of the traps.
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It feels like the rare good weather has always coincided with a day where I’m stuck in the office and Minnie is at preschool, and our free days together have been spent watching the rain blatter against the window.
And while London isn’t short of rainy day activities, I was dying to get outside. So I headed to the National Trust website, brought up the map of nearby properties and we were on our way to Polesden Lacey.
It had been a close decision between this and the chance to run around outside at Box Hill, having read the two great posts about visiting from My Travel Monkey, especially as I knew the house itself would be closed at Polesden Lacey.
But with a natural play area, like the one we’d loved at Osterley House, plus gardens to explore (and a cafe), the Edwardian country retreat topped the list.
I’d love to head back another time to see inside the ‘delicious house’ as the Queen Mother called it, where she spent her honeymoon courtesy of the fascinating (if not altogether likeable) Margaret Greville, the owner.
As there are 1,400 acres of grounds, we had plenty to keep us amused all day without needing to set foot indoors. Even better, I’d remembered to recharge the battery for my DSLR and put the camera into the car despite our enthusiastic scramble to leave.
The only flaw was discovering that I had forgotten to put the battery back in the camera first… Thank goodness for smartphones, although I did kick myself at the thought of how the blue skies would have looked on my DSLR. And at the fact I had to carry it around all day.
So while the photos don’t quite do the property justice, it didn’t stop us having a fantastic day. First stop, a wander through the woods to the squirrels adventure playground where Minnie found a stick almost as big as her to carry along.
Before long, I was left to guard it as we walked into the clearing and spotted the carved wooden bench, apparently created using a chainsaw. A dragon sits at one end, while two hedgehogs, a mouse and woodpecker are dotted along the rest, acting as a magnet for all the small visitors.
After making friends with three other explorers who were busy pretending to be monkeys, coming up with names for all the animals (bar the dragon, who was treated with a degree of suspicion) and generally being hugely entertained, I did persuade her to explore further.
There are wooden beams to balance on and other suspended ropes and tyres, perfect for under fives. We also found skittles and giant chess in the clearing before the lure of the wooden animals drew us back again.
Stretching off into the distance beyond the play area, the estate looks a wonderful place for walks, with several signposted options. Chalkpit Walk is easiest for kids and you can pick up a leaflet from reception for a small fee. Except it was time for lunch.
Wandering along with binoculars in hand (available free, although sadly there are only four pairs left and we got the last available unbroken pair), we stumbled across a few lovely statues although had less luck finding much wildlife beyond daffodils and the occasional crocus.
Minnie’s dragon/lion impression might have had something to do with that admittedly.
There’s the usual great National Trust lunch: a lunchbox for Minnie with sandwiches and lots of snacky things, plus some rather fab cake (mostly for me). As a bonus, there’s free colouring, stickers and a lunch box which can be cut up and made into a raft – one to do at home.
Then heading back in, we took the opposite route towards the formal gardens past the house, glowing yellow in the sunshine.
The views out to the sheep-studded hills are gorgeous, and there are some fun slopes to run or roll down when the weather’s better.
The gardens themselves must look amazing when the flowers are in bloom, from roses to lavender. But even with part of the walled section closed off and only those optimistic daffodils properly in bloom, it was lovely to wander around spotting more statues, a sundial and some of the vegetables from the kitchen garden.
You can even stay on the site – how fun would it be to wake up in the Garden Cottage?
Beyond that we found the thatched bridge crossing the road below, into a quiet field. In the summer months there are chickens and more gardens to find: for now, a few sections were closed off as they make the most of the winter months to carry out necessary work.
So we retraced our footsteps, avoided buying the £150 wooden horse’s head sculpture which Minnie spotted by the shop, and headed back to the car.
Before we hit the motorway, she was fast asleep from the day’s scampering around and fresh air.
I celebrated with my own choice of music all the way home.
Need to know: Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Entry to Polesden Lacey house and gardens costs from £15 for adults and £7.50 for children respectively. Free to members. Reduced prices may be available for garden entry only.
There are also family tickets available from £37.50. Paid parking costs £4 per day for non-members, free for members.
The cafe and toilets are outside the property itself, with no facilities inside the grounds in the quieter months. There’s no problem to get in and out if you keep hold of your ticket, but it’s worth noting that even if you bring a picnic, you might need to pop back at some point during the day.
You can also go geocaching at Polesden Lacey, one of the National Trust properties to offer this. There are GPS units which can be reserved in advance, or you can use your phone.
PIN FOR LATER: FAMILY DAY OUT AT POLESDEN LACEY
Disclosure: Entry to Polesden Lacey was courtesy of the National Trust. My choice of destination, all opinions and inability to remember vital pieces of equipment are all my own. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
All images copyright MummyTravels
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It looks like a lovely place to explore – you’ll definitely have to return with you DSLR in Spring to capture the flowers in bloom x
Absolutely. My brother lives fairly nearby, so I’m sure we’ll be heading that away again before long. And I don’t think I’ll ever make that mistake with the battery again!
We also love Polesden Lacey – during the summer on Sundays they have live jazz concerts brunch/ lunch time – it makes a great day out for grown ups & little ones. Bubbles flowing, picnics on blankets, great outdoors, we are looking forward to this year again 🙂
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Oh that sounds fab – I can imagine lounging in those grounds listening to the music. Tempting…
It’s such a wonderful place to explore. Monkey really loves it here – and in the summer our favourite part is just to plonk ourselves on the lawn and run around. We do love the secret walled rose garden too. Last year, we even went to the Donkey family day – they raced Donkeys and had little stalls around Easter. Glad you had a good time
That sounds so fun – definitely one to return to in the summer, I think.
Such a lovely looking place to explore. Love ur photos
Thanks! It’s a gorgeous spot.
Wow I’d love to visit. Great read!
Thanks – hope you get there one day.
How beautiful! As lovely as the house is, the gardens are the winner for me!
Absolutely – I kept imagining myself a hundred years ago wandering around and enjoying the vistas!
We went to Polesden Lacey not too long ago and did the geocaching – sooo much fun. Gorgeous property itself and fantastic views, huge lawn to run around on. Would love to stay in the cottage and wake up with the grounds all to yourself in the morning.
Geocaching is something I keep meaning to try out – I discovered there’s a lot more around than I realised! And absolutely, how much fun to wake up in the cottage and pretend the estate is yours.
We have all done it, forgot to put the batteries back in the camera (and I am supposed to be a professional!) but these images look fab. Looks like you had a ball. Love a winter/early spring picnic. Sounds like a proper adventure and National Trust properties and gardens are always so beautiful
Thank you! Certainly plenty of photo opportunities – I do love wandering around National Trust properties.
Looks like fab fun – love the wooden carvings and I know my boys would have great fun there!
They were rather fab – I think my daughter would have stayed there all day if she could.
I love the National Trust, they have so many fantastic places to enjoy. I’ve not been to Polesden Lacey but it looks gorgeous, I love the Queen Mother’s description of the house!
They really do – I just keep discovering more and more.
There are so many beautiful places to visit, you can always count on the National Trust for a good day out
Absolutely – it’s amazing how many there are around.
we went to Polesdon Lacey about 3 years ago when I was pregnant with Sebby – it is such a beautiful place and I would like to see it in summer
It’s such a gorgeous spot, isn’t it – I can imagine summer would be beautiful too.
What a neat place to go on a nice day like that. The weather pattern in Seattle is similar to London – rainy and gloomy, and it’s always nice on the work days and full of poo on the weekends.
It was lovely – perfect for getting outside. It’s almost like the weather does it on purpose!
Fun to visit it out of season too. Lots still to explore. I feel your pain at carrying around a heavy camera that you can’t use. I’ve forgotten my memory card before now.You got some great photos all the same. #CountryKids
It really does add insult to injury, doesn’t it! Thank you though, it was a lovely blue day to explore.
I had to smile at the forgotten camera battery, I’ve done the same thing so many times and resented carrying the camera I couldn’t use all day. Never the less it was clearly a lovely day as your photos are gorgeous from the phone. It looks like a great place to explore and certainly not short on space. It must take an army of grounds men to keep it looking so tidy and well maintained, I know how we struggle with just 30 acres to keep the weeds and brambles at bay. Thank you for sharing a beautiful place on Country Kids.
It does make it doubly annoying! And thank you – it was a lovely day and such a lovely place, it’s hard to take a bad photo. I can only imagine the amount of work it takes – I can barely keep my garden tidy 🙂
We love it there, they’ve got a great Geo cache trail too which is fab for first timers – we went with friends in the summer and the kids had a great time #CountryKIds
Sounds like a great place for us to try geocaching – I keep meaning to.
Reading this makes me want to get out and explore the NT properties. Thanks for inspiring me.
My pleasure – really glad it has done!
Looks beautiful, will have to add it to our ever-growing list of places to visit! You had a lovely day by the sounds of it, let’s hope the sun continues to shine… #CountryKids
We did – so lovely to see the sun again, and this is a beautiful place to get outdoors. My list isn’t getting shorter either, as I’d already like to go back…
We visited Polesden Lacey last year and loved it! The Rose Garden is especially lovely in May/June! #CountryKids xx
I can imagine it must be amazing – we do seem to keep visiting properties with incredible rose gardens in months where there are no roses 🙂
Looks like a fab place to explore and a brilliant day out for you both. Would love to see inside the house. Shame about your camera…you were SO nearly there! #countrykids
It was great, I imagine the house is amazing too. And I know…. so close!
What a lovely place to wander around. Your smart phone pics are great. I was kicking myself this weekend after charging my phone battery but leaving the memory card in the side of my laptop! Argh! We stopped at a supermarket to pick one up but only after we’d visited the most scenic location of the weekend 🙁 #countrykids
I’m glad it’s not just me (although not glad you missed your scenic shots at the weekend!) It’s a gorgeous place.
What a lovely place! So massive and so many things to see. I especially love the details that you have posted. Looks like a lovely trip! #countrykids
Thanks – and it’s always incredible thinking of someone owning these vast country estates.