Here is a selection of holiday homes near National Trust grounds and properties.
When was the National Trust founded?
The National Trust was founded on 12 January 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley.
Old Drift House, Kersey, Suffolk
A ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottage in the medieval village of Kersey, Old Drift House is steeped in character with exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces and leadlight windows. The cottage sleeps eight and is an ideal base for National Trust fans as it’s close to three Trust properties with another six within half an hour’s drive.
Just ten minutes by car is the turreted Tudor mansion, Melford Hall with its collection of naval paintings, Chinese porcelain and Beatrix Potter sketches. The quintessential Suffolk gem Lavenham Guildhall – one of the finest timber framed buildings in Britain - can also be reached within 10 minutes. Plus, a 15 minute drive brings visitors to Flatford – the inspiration for John Constable paintings and home to a Constable walking trail. premiercottages.co.uk
National Trust properties: Melford Hall – 12.6 miles away, Lavenham Guildhall – 8 miles away, Flatford – 10.9 miles away
Little Seed Field, Yorkshire Dales
Little Seed Field is a glamping site on a family run farm, 15 minutes from Pateley Bridge in the Yorkshire Dales with views over the Nidderdale Valley. The cabins have been scattered in secluded spots between the trees, boulders and natural grasses. Bed down in a smart wooden cabin, set up with double and bunk beds and kitted out with insulation and a woodburning stove to keep things cosy should the North Yorkshire winds blow. Each one has access to a barbecue for fine days, and there’s a small kitchenette for prepping meals on dingier days. Bathroom facilities are alongside the kitchen in the centrally heated amenities block. pitchup.com
National Trust property: Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden – 7.5 miles away
Trewidden House, Cornwall
A group of multi-generational Trust fans need look no further than dog-friendly Trewidden House, a spacious grade II listed house where up to 15 people can holiday in style. The beautifully appointed home has eight generous bedrooms, a magnificent dining room, plus two large drawing rooms and a grand entrance hall as well as a children's TV room and extensive kitchen.
Trewidden House is close to a selection of National Trust sights. Less than 10 minutes’ drive is Trengwainton Garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs and the rocky island of St Michaels Mount, with its medieval church and castle is around 15 minutes away. Then high up on the exposed cliffs of the “Tin Coast” is Levant Mine and Beam Engine, part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Both sights are less than a 20 minute drive away. premiercottages.co.uk
National Trust properties: Trengwainton Garden – 2.7 miles away, St Michaels Mount – 6.3 miles away, Levant Mine and Beam Engine – 7.5 miles away
Walk: St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
This nine-mile coastal walk begins at Lamorna Cove, winding along the South West Coast Path past the 'prettiest village in England’, the coastal town of Newlyn and bustling Penzance, ending at iconic St Michael’s Mount .
Min Yr Afon, Cardiganshire
Set in the wooded Aeron valley, this 18th-century Georgian villa is characterised by walled kitchen gardens, pleasure grounds, ornamental lake and parkland, with Welsh Black cattle, Llanwenog sheep and rare Welsh pigs roaming in the traditional working farm complex.
Across the meadows from Llanerchaeron estate is Min Yr Afon, a renovated Grade II listed cottage which sleeps four, with an enclosed lawned garden bordered by a flowing stream and woodland. While many of the traditional features have been retained including beamed ceilings, original doors, wooden floors and reclaimed slate, the property’s highlight is its spacious kitchen-diner extension with bespoke fitted kitchen and large bi-folding doors looking out onto the garden. The dog-friendly cottage is also within reach of the Georgian coastal town of Aberaeron, packed with boutique shops, art galleries and cafes, as well as the Ceredigion Coast Path for secluded sandy coves, golden beaches and undulating clifftop walks. qualitycottages.co.uk
National Trust property: Llanerchaeron. 1.1 mile away
Best walks in Wales
A guide to the best hikes in Wales, from the sandy beaches and coastal cliffs of Pembrokeshire to the mountains and lakes of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.
Kernock Cottages, Cornwall
Located in the Lynher Valley between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, Kernock Cottages offers accommodation in four award winning luxurious detached barns – each with its own private hot tub. Set in 25 acres of mature gardens and woodland, the secluded cottages are very dog-friendly and are surrounded by beautiful Cornish countryside with glorious fields and woods to explore.
Approximately at 15 minute drive from here is Cotehele House, one of the finest examples of a Tudor house in the country and the ancestral home of the Edgecumbe family for centuries. Kernock is also just half an hour’s drive from Antony House at Torpoint where Alice in Wonderland was filmed and from Saltram, a grade 1 listed George II era mansion house. premiercottages.co.uk
National Trust properties: Cotehele House – 6.2 miles away, Antony House – 15.2 miles away, Saltram – 13.1 miles away
Best walks in Cornwall
From wooded valleys and rolling farmland to rugged coastal cliffs and pretty fishing villages, Cornwall's countryside offers a wealth of opportunity to get outdoors. Explore this magical county on foot with our favourite Cornish walks.
Ty Mair, Tenby
For an immersive experience of life in Tudor times, the 15th-century three-storey house in Tenby allows young historians to try on period clothes, learn about the products imported from overseas and play Tudor family fortunes.
Families looking to visit Tudor Merchant’s House can stay at Ty Mair, a newly refurbished Georgian terraced house five minutes away from the site, overlooking North beach and the harbour. Spread over five flours, the contemporary four-bedroom property features a luxury fitted kitchen-living space with large bifold doors leading to a furnished terrace with a glass balcony for interrupted views of the beach. As well as being within walking distance of five Blue Flag beaches, guests at the townhouse can uncover Tenby’s many delicatessen, coffee houses, pubs and restaurants or book a boat trip to Caldey Island. qualitycottages.co.uk
National Trust property: Tudor Merchant’s House. less than 500 metres away
Kingshoath Cottage, Sussex
Kingshoath Cottage is a grade II listed 16th century characterful property on the outskirts of the village of Beckley between Rye and Battle. Accommodating up to eight guests, it benefits from a large lounge with an open log fire and oak beams throughout and is just a short walk from country pub the ‘Rose & Crown’.
The National Trust’s beautiful and moated 14th Century Bodiam Castle, one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments, is around an 18 minute drive away. The castle can also be reached by 40 minute water ferry ride from the boat station at Newenden or steam train from Northiam. Also, nearby is Smallhythe Place, home of one of the most highly paid Victorian stage actresses Ellen Terry (1847-1928). Around 20 minutes’ drive from Kingshoath, it is an excellent example of a 16th-century and is a museum of Ellen’s life and career. Lamb House in Rye can also be reached in around 12 minutes. premiercottages.co.uk
National Trust properties: Bodiam Castle – 6.1 mile away, Smallhythe Place, 8.2 miles away, Lamb House in Rye – 7.7 miles away
Slades Farm Glamping, Wiltshire
The smart bespoke glamping units have been built by hand to house guests on Slades Farm in the Wiltshire countryside. The ideal location, it is close to Longleat, Stonehenge and Avebury which are all within a half-hour drive. Ethics of recycling and regeneration have been used where possible in constructing the smart units, but there’s no shabby chic in evidence here – it’s all bespoke well-equipped kitchens, ensuite bathrooms and underfloor heating to keep things cosy on cooler evenings. Fresh bedding and piles of towels are provided too. Each unit has an outdoor seating area for alfresco drinks and meals, and there’s plenty of space around for rural wanders among the grasses, shrubs and trees that make up the garden. pitchup.com
National Trust property: Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village 11.8 miles away
Eaton Manor Country Estate, Shropshire
Situated in 500 acres of tranquil and beautiful Shropshire countryside, dog-friendly Eaton Manor is just 10 minutes’ drive from the local train station in Church Stretton. The estate is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with some wonderful walks from the doorstep and within easy reach of several National Trust properties.
The Wenlock Edge limestone escarpment is located at the top of the field above the Estate and guests can enjoy a great day out walking along it to the relatively unknown National Trust property Wilderhope Manor, an Elizabethan Gabled Manor House restored by John Cadbury in 1936. Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd are also just five miles away. Open year round, there’s great hill walking and mountain biking to be enjoyed here whilst Morville Hall another hidden gem of Elizabethan origin is a 25 minute drive away. premiercottages.co.uk
National Trust properties: Wilderhope Manor – 4.8 miles away, Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd – 5 miles away, Morville Hall – 15.2 miles away
Stackpole Dip Cottage, Pembrokeshire
Combining natural long stretches of rugged coastline and secluded beaches with man-made designed landscapes and wildlife nature reserve, Stackpole can be uncovered on a wide range of walking footpaths and mountain bike trails, with parts of the original buildings also available to explore.
Located directly on the Stackpole estate is Stackpole Dip Cottage, a period converted stable set on a private lane near the Bosherston Lily Ponds. Furnished with Welsh antiques, the delightful three-bedroom stone property features a spacious diner-lounge with log burning stove and traditional Welsh farmhouse dresser; a galley-style fitted kitchen; and enclosed grounds with terrace and outdoor seating. The cottage is near several safe family bathing beaches, such as Broadhaven South and Barafundle Bay - listed as one of the top 10 beaches in the world – while kayaking and coasteering sessions are available nearby at Stackpole Quay. qualitycottages.co.uk
National Trust property: Stackpole Estate, 2.9 miles away
Dominoes, Devon
Dominoes is an architecturally stunning retro-modern holiday home with panoramic water and woodland views set in the South Hams village of Stoke Gabriel. This visually arresting dog-friendly property makes a great base for exploring Devon’s coast, beaches, countryside and the wilds of Dartmoor.
Around 18 minutes’ drive from Dominoes is the beloved holiday home of much-loved author Agatha Christie, Greenway. The house is set in the 1950s and is packed with archaeology, silver, botanical china and books. Also, around a 25 minute drive away is1920s country retreat of the D’Oyly Carte family Coleton Fishacre. Built in the Arts & Crafts style, the house is full of Art Deco elegance and offers a great insight into life in the 1920s. premiercottages.co.uk
National Trust properties: Greenway – 4.8 miles away, Coleton Fishacre – 7.8 miles away
Best walks in Devon
The county of Devon comprises two national parks – Dartmoor and Exmoor – along with a host of other beautiful landscapes, from rugged coasts and wildlife-rich nature reserves, to waterfalls, river valleys and moorland. Explore the county on foot with our favourite walks.
