When my sister called to excitedly tell me she had finally joined the National Trust after being inspired by my blog posts, we didn’t waste any time in organising a day out. She didn’t want to drive too far as we had to consider my little nephew and work around his feeding times – so after thumbing through my trusty guide, we opted to visit Claremont Landscape Gardens.
It just goes to show what a difference the weather can make. After driving through the gates, I realised we’d actually taken Monkey to Claremont when he was a baby, but hubby and I had come on a bleak, winter’s day when the ground was covered in frost and there was no sign of flowers or foliage. So I was happy to be returning and seeing a completely different side to this 18th-century garden nestled in the heart of Surrey.
Once a Dukes’ retreat and a playground for real princesses who spent hours uncovering secret spaces, Claremont Landscape Gardens still retains all its original features. For more than 300 years, visitors have been coming to Claremont to enjoy the wonderful gardens that were created by some of history’s finest gardeners including Capability Brown and Charles Bridgeman, who built the three-acre turf amphitheatre which was used to form the centrepiece of an annual event called the Claremont Fête Champêtre. Hundreds of revellers used to descend on Claremont, mostly in costume to enjoy four days of music, theatre and fireworks. Sounds like a blast! The amphitheatre is now used for plays and concerts.
When we arrived, we were all famished so headed straight to the NT cafe and, because it was such a glorious day, we could sit outside to enjoy some lunch. Monkey happily polished off half my jacket potato, while his auntie treated him to an ice-lolly.
With full bellies we decided to make our way to the serpentine man-made lake which affords wonderful views across the whole estate.
Monkey spent a while trying to count all the fishes swimming in the water. However, his attention was drawn away by the commotion nearby. We’d actually come on a day where Claremont was showcasing a battle re-enactment of the Jacobite rebellion against the Duke of Newcastle, a former owner of the estate.
We were just in time to see the soldiers loading their firearms and showing the crowds how noisy they were! Monkey thought the whole experience was a little too loud for his delicate ears.
We then strolled around the lake towards the amphitheatre and gardens. Monkey was happy to just run up and down between the mounds and chase the ducks – while we enjoyed taking in the breathtaking scenery. 
As we wandered further into the woodland, it was lovely to discover blankets of bluebells and tiny nooks and crannies. There was a definite feel of a ‘secret garden’ about the place.
We then saw a trail leading to the Thatched Cottage and its Georgina Playroom. Set back in its own little area, Monkey headed straight inside to find lots of different activities from a dress-up box of old costumes (Monkey refused to try any on!) to hobby horses, yo yo’s and wooden swords. They even had rugs and wooden picnic food for children to play with.
There was still plenty to explore from the miniature 9-pin bowling alley which is near the Duke of Newcastle’s original temple, to the Belvedere Tower, which unfortunately wasn’t open to visitors that weekend. However, Monkey was desperate to go to the children’s play area having spotted it on our travels. We had promised him to go back, and he was delighted when we finally agreed.
The sun was positively beaming down on us while we watched Monkey enjoy himself. And, after a long while in the play area, it was time for us to head home, but not before Monkey had another quick look for fishes in the lake.
Claremont Landscape Gardens may not be as big as some of its National Trust neighbours, however, even though you can cover quite a large area in a short space of time, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. Claremont is a stunning, peaceful retreat – you wouldn’t think it’s only a few miles from London. Royalty deemed Claremont their ‘pleasure’ gardens and it’s easy to see why. Just sitting by the lake and taking in the tranquil setting was pleasurable enough – although next time, I must remember to bring a picnic…
National Trust’s Claremont Landscape Gardens, Surrey KT10 9JG; Open daily from 10.00am-18.00pm; Adult £7.25; Child £3.60; Family: £18.10
I love seeing those re-enactment people. They really bring these historic sites to life. It looks like you all had a wonderful day.
It was a lovely day – always is when the sun decides to shine here in the Uk 🙂
It looks gorgeous and the battle re-enactment sounded great – although I totally see why it might be a bit loud for little ears!! We always finish a National Trust day at the playground too.
Monkey was certainly entranced by the lake! Looks like you had a beautiful day for your visit; everything looks so green and it always helps when the sun is shining. #countrykids
Doesn’t it just! I love the UK in the sunshine. It all makes everything seems so much brighter and more beautiful. Although Claremont is quite stunning.
We have been there a few times, and really like it. In the summer they do a bbq at the cafe, so yummy. And my kids love the playground! #countrykids
I couldn’t get him out of it! I always forget you live so close to me! Hope to meet you this week at BritMums?
My kids would love the battle reenactment – we are big fans of the National Trust will defo have to put this on our list! x
It was really interesting – they take it so seriously! x
I can’t believe we once lived walking distance from Claremont and never visited! It looks like a lovely place to while a way a few hours on a sunny day and definitely one to take a picnic to next time. Thank you for sharing on Country Kids.
You used to live so close? It’s always the way that you miss things sometimes which are only round the corner. I’ve ordered a proper picnic rug for next time!
I love your posts about your visits to National Trust properties – I can see why your sister was inspired to get membership too. Bless Monkey with his hands over his ears. Tin Box Tot would have done exactly the same 🙂 x #CountryKids
We do love an NT, think we might opt got lifetime memberships x
I’m finally starting to make the most of my NT pass and so it’s lovely to find somewhere nearby too. I like the idea of somewhere which doesn’t need a full day so I don’t have tired legs or tiny attention spans making me leave before I’ve explored properly. #countrykids
Ooh yes and Claremont isn’t far from you guys, although bet there are loads nearer to you
This looks like a gorgeous day out – NT park’s are always fabulous and I think they are worth membership alone! Love the soldiers too xx
You can’t fail but have a great day out and don’t good cake at an NT! x
It looks gorgeous! I love the little thatched cottage – I think I might have wanted to have a play myself!
It was very cute and fun how they had all the old fashioned toys
What a lovely garden with a touch of history thrown to spice up the day trip.
They are stunning, particularly as the sun was shining!
I really miss NT cafés! Crazy as it sounds from France, no one does it better than the NT with cafés and kids’ stuff. All the French heritage places I’ve visited may be lovely/beautiful/impressive etc but they never have cafés and rarely have anything to entertain the littlies. Looks like this place has both as well as gorgeous landscapes. #mondayescapes
That’s such a shame!! They’re missing a trick. NT cafés are so great, it’s always impossible not to go in one!
Such beautiful shots of what looks like a wonderful place to visit, we are HUGE fans of NT here too 🙂 xx #mondayescapes
Yay to NT! Love our membership x
We really don’t visit enough National Trust properties. This looks like a fab day out. Dex looks very cute in his quilted jumper! xxx
I think you’d love it. They’re such family-friendly days out and great picnic spots xxx
I can imagine how loud it must be for his little ears 🙁 But the garden looks nice !!!
You’d love the gardens right up your street!
This looks so stunningly beautiful! I love all these National Trust gems – and what a lovely day you got to visit…what a difference the sun makes, ay. Sounds like a fab place to take the little ones too and good that it’s quite small for tired legs. #mondayescapes
It’s a gorgeous place. The sunshine most definitely helps making everything look and feel better! xx
What a fun day out! It sounds like there is so much history and what a fantastic adventure playground! #MondayEscapes
We couldn’t get him out if it!
Love the scenery! There’s always something about the English gardens, eh? 😉
They are so pretty! But not so much in the rain!
This looks gorgeous and what beautiful weather for exploring as well. We’ve just joined the National Trust after years of umming and ahhing about it so I will be adding this onto my list for next time we are down in the south!
Oh I am such a fan of NT, so glad you’ve joined. They don’t even pay me to rave about then Enjoy exploring!
So pretty. Nice to have something so scenic nearby..we love to visit our local gardens too. Hope his ears are feeling better!
Looks like a great day out 🙂 I keep meaning to set up national trust membership…and this is just down the road from us, thank you for sharing #MondayEscapes
A proper country day out! You took some beautiful photos too. #MondayEscapes
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