On the rare occasions, we don’t have any engagements planned for the weekend, we dig out our trusty National Trust guide and choose somewhere to while away a few hours. As with any impromptu day trip, we don’t tend to head too far from our doorstep – but luckily, we have several NT properties within an hour’s drive. Hatchlands Park – a stone’s throw from Clandon Park which was recently destroyed by fire – sees a classic country house nestled amongst 400 acres of sprawling parkland in the Surrey countryside.
Built in the 1750s for naval hero Admiral Edward Boscawen and his wife Fanny, since then it has housed wealthy families, World War One evacuees, a finishing school for girls and even a printing press. Unfortunately, on the day we arrived, the Georgian country residence was closed to visitors – so we were unable to go inside for a snoop around tenant Alec Cobbe’s collection of paintings, fine furniture and keyboard instruments owned or played by famous composers.
Besides the house tour, there are also several events that are held throughout the year at Hatchlands Park including pony treks and kite flying to open-air theatre performances and guided walks. During the summer holidays, too, there are children’s trails, arts and crafts and giant garden games to keep kids entertained.
However, our main purpose on this sunny Sunday was to just wander the extensive grounds and let Monkey tire himself out. Even though there are several gardens to explore including the Jekyll, we stuck to the main paths on the parkland – trying to spot the cows in the distance through the meadows.
There are five signposted walks throughout the grounds which are marked clearly on the map – including the Bluebell Walk, the Wix Wood Walk and The Long Walk past the Sheepwash Pond.  We decided to just go with the flow and not take a fixed route as it was pretty hot.
This being the case, we gravitated towards the shade of the trees. Monkey was excited to spy the kissing gate that leads you into the park’s ancient woodland.
Once through, we followed the path for several metres when we came across the Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren – a wooded playground which Monkey quickly ran into. And the best thing – it was empty!
While we pulled up a few wooden logs to sit on, we watched as Monkey delighted in balancing on the wooden beams, scrambling up on the dens, crawling under the make-shift tunnels and marvelling at the wooden sculptures and totem poles. We even tried to watch the bird-feeding station for visitors, but the birds must have had their fill already…
All played out Monkey, who was still full of beans, insisted we take a different route back towards the house and gardens via the pond. He also found several large sticks which he wanted to take home with us. It was a pleasant stroll in the sunshine, trying to spot butterflies and birds, walking amongst the blades of long grass and wildflower meadows – feeling like we were in the middle of nowhere.
By the time we had reached the courtyard area that housed the original kitchens, we were all rather thirsty – and Monkey was desperate for an ice-cream. Trying, unsuccessfully, to negotiate a route away from the gift shop, we managed to find a pleasant spot in the courtyard to enjoy some refreshments. It was just lovely to savour the tranquil surroundings and the warmth of the sunshine. It certainly felt we were finally getting to enjoy a proper English day in the countryside.
We barely explored the substantial Hatchlands Park – but that’s the beauty of getting to know it a little at a time – you can always return again and again – and uncover more of its charm.
National Trust’s Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RT; Park open 10.00am-6.00pm daily; Gardens and House times vary; Adult: £8.00; Child: £4.00 – see website for more details
Love National Trust properties, you really can’t go wrong. Haven’t been here, but i’ll check it out. Sounds like you had a fab day! Thanks for a great review Ting xx
Thanks Reneé, you must go. We could always pop to one together soon! xx
I’m starting to fall in love with the English countryside and this little scone with cream and jam looks delicious !
Well you are an honorary English girl now! 🙂
haha, yes, but they still spot my weird accent :p
Love all the open fields! So nice for a day trip!
It’s lovely, because living in a city, it’s nice to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere
How gorgeous – another one I haven’t been too and what a perfect day! My brother lives not far away (and got married at Clandon Park) so should definitely put it on the list.
Oh you should definitely go. But it’s a case of there being too many! And not enough time…
I can still remember the excitement of a kissing gate in the countryside when I was little. Warren willow looks awesome with the den building an wooden beams. I want to rub back warned between my fingers such a beautiful shot Not to mention the cream tea. Hard to beat an afternoon at a National Trust Property. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
They’re so pretty aren’t they? As you know we do love indulging in our cream teas. We definitely try to make the most of our NT membership!
Awww the photo of the sky! The sky looks so stunning!
Sad that you werent able to go in but the outdoors I think is so worth it! Such a lovely place!
#countrykids
It was a lovely day – we were lucky with the weather
Your pictures are just awesome! So pretty the landscape and the blue sky…
We were lucky we had such a nice day for it!
That looks like someone had a good time -given the smile!! Looks lovely
It was, he especially like the treat at the end!
Hatchlands is our favourite NT property too! It’s gorgeous and not too far from London. #mondayescapes
Can’t really go wrong there, can you?
I love National Trust properties Ting – they are so many lovely ones! My dad is a National Trust member and since sadly my mum has had to go into a nursing home, my dad often has a spare guest pass so when I’m over visiting I go with him to various places. Always love an English country home and it looks like you had a fabulous day with the weather and all that exercise would hopefully have tired Monkey out!
He most definitely tired himself out! It’s always best to keep him busy, which is why we love our NT pass so much. It’s well worth the moneky. I hope you get to see one again soon when you’re next back!
Yes sounds a great idea Ting 🙂 Since our little granddaughters have come along we’ve renewed our subscriptions to places such as the zoo. Our elder granddaughter is 2 and a half and is non stop action – she’s so curious about everything so best to keep her busy too!
I do find it’s the best way – my boy is so full of energy and staying at home just doesn’t cut the mustard! Which is why we are always out and about! Thank you for stopping by again 🙂
I love National Trust properties. They’re so beautiful and so family friendly. It looks like you had an amazing time. The Willow Warren looks like a lot of fun. Your pictures are so lovely. xx #mondayescapes
He loved the Willow Warren, and I loved it, too. It was a great place to cool down xx
It’s a nice way to spend a family day especially when it’s sunny! I like parks as its something that we don’t have in Greece, so once abroad I always visit as many as I can!
I think we take it for granted here in the UK, these wide expanse of spaces. Although I would actually like to be nearer the sea!
Such a pretty place!!! Monkey is growing up, oh my!!!
I am sure he tired himself out playing there all day with you guys 😀
Beautiful photos as always.
Thanks lovely, that’s our parenting for you… tire him out so no trouble at bedtime! 🙂
It looks gorgeous and love all the willow and log fun! A great place to tire out little ones. 🙂 x
The best, he was knackered and fell asleep as soon as we got in the car – which as you know is never a good thing near bedtime! x
Fantastic! So much so see and explore, a little at a time is the best way to do it. Looks like a really fun day.
It was, finished with cream tea. What more could you ask for? 🙂
Looks gorgeous! 🙂 That wooden playground is perfect
xo, Laura
It’s very pretty! Yes, Monkey love the playground especially as he had it to himself!
Now that’s my kind of house – I’d love to live there! And you can rely on the NT for a great day out 🙂 #mondayescapes
Yes, you can’t go wrong with NT! Good old NT 🙂
We are huge National Trust fans and thus looks like another gem! Will have to look it up! #MondayEscapes
Yes, that trusty NT book has too many to choose from!
I’ve seen a few posts for Hatchlands and it definitely looks like somwhere we’d enjoy #MondayEscapes
It’s great just for rambling about with no set route – although it was a little hot when we went… and not a lot of shade
It looks beautiful, I bet Monkey had a lot of fun that day 🙂 Now I’m craving some jam, haha.
Hee hee, cream and jam is a winning combination!
This is why one of the first things we do when we get back to the UK for good will be buy a NT membership. Gold! Looks like a beautiful day out and somewhere you can go back again and again. #mondayescapes
This looks like a really fun place to go and hang out as a family!
http://blog.jessicapei.com/
Got to love the National Trust – I really want annual membership but there aren’t too many properties near us so I’m not sure if it would be a little wasted.
Looks fabulous, and what a lovely day you had. I do miss properties like this, we haven’t found many places similar to this in the US. Love the woodland area, that looks like great fun. And, I’d love a scone right now 🙂 #countrykids
It would definitely be a taste of home! Thanks for stopping by Sara x
It is so great to spend the day in a park, specially when it is not crowded! By the way I love the third photo, the shape of the clouds is great 🙂
Thank you! It did feel like we were the only ones there!
Aren’t these places fabulous and they do so much for children now. I remember any visits to houses, gardens or stately homes signalled a very boring day when I was a kid. Now, I’m in awe of the wonderful things they put on for the children. Hatchlands Park looks lovely.
We have RHS membership and have Hyde Hall Gardens relatively close to us. They put on the most amazing activities and of course the kids love a trail to follow and tick off a sheet don’t they.
They say the best fun is always in the outdoors and judging by your pictures – I think you’ve proved that point.
Great post
Nicky #Monday Escapes
Thank you Nicky and thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes. I have considered getting an RHS membership too, but it all adds up doesn’t it? I am definitely like Monkey – we just like being out and about. I’m not one for crafts etc, so I think he takes after me!
Whoops looks like my bank details accidentally pasted on to my comment!
Oh wow the scenery is spectacular and look at that sky! Lovely post Ting
#MondayEscapes
Thanks Lisa 🙂