Visiting Nymans, National Trust, West Sussex in Summer

View from the Temple

We've really enjoyed getting out to many National trust sites over this strange Covid summer. We've found all the sites to be excellent at taking pre-booked customers and ensuring there is plenty of room for distancing, as well as being stunning to look round of course.

Miss E decided to join my husband and me on our trip to Nymans in July, and it is a perfect place for wandering and chatting to your family as you walk the stunning grounds. The National Trust describe Nymans as "a garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins." 

There is a one-way system around the site at the moment and we found it easy to follow as a map is available. They have also mapped out a more accessible and level route for those who need it. At the moment the cafe and bookshop are closed but the shop was open and beautifully stocked.

It is worth noting that the only toilets available at the moment are the ones in the car park as Nymans are having some extensive work done to create a large suite of modern and accessible toilets for future use. 

I think pictures speak a thousand words, so have a look at Nymans in the sun. 

The view out to the wider country estate with woodland, lakes and bird hides, perfect for exploring and seeing what wildlife and birds you can spot. The woodland walks are again open and there are circular waymarked routes of between 0.75 miles and 2.5 miles. Here is a map of the gardens and woodland. 

Family Fun at Petworth House, National Trust

A few weeks back on a Sunday our family headed over to West Sussex to Petworth House. I've been wanting to visit this National Trust site for well over a year but as it's about a 90-minute journey we needed to have enough time available to us to make it worthwhile. Petworth houses the finest collection of art in the care of the National Trust and I thought my arty daughter and I would particularly enjoy seeing this.

The Mansion

I wasn't wrong, there are some really magnificent pieces on display and my favourite by far was the walls and ceiling of the Grand Staircase painted by Louis Laguerre (1663 - 1721). I stood there and gazed in wonder for such a long time. There are many other internationally important paintings on display too with works by Turner, Van Dyck and Reynolds to name just a few. There are also dozens and dozens of interesting classical and neo-classical sculptures too and my girls were chuckling away at all the body parts on display!

Of course, what the National Trust always does well is engage the kids and they had a trail around the house to look for stuffed dogs around the house and then if they spotted them all they got an exclusive badge.

Most every day there is some kind of talk or tour within the mansion and the volunteers at entry will let you know what is going on or you can check the webpages before travelling. If you are thinking of taking your family in the next couple of weeks then I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear there is a Cadbury Easter egg hunt from 8th - 23rd April 2017 with a cost of £3 per child.

10 Reasons to Visit Nymans, National Trust - West Sussex

During half-term we fancied out a day out at a National Trust site, our son was staying with his grandparents, so it was just the girls and us and we wanted to visit somewhere new to explore. About an hour away from us in West Sussex, just five miles outside Crawley is Nymans, which the National Trust describes as a garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.

It is a busy enough site that they have regular trails and activities for all the family and we felt sure there would be something to keep us all interested. We weren't wrong, have a look at these ten reasons why we would recommend a family visit to Nymans - 

1. Loads of Opportunities for Play

Family visit to the Castle Siege at Arundel Castle

We had the privilege to spend at Afternoon at Arundel Castle recently and what a lovely time we had. Our 11 year old JJ was away at camp, which was a shame as I know he would have loved the rich history of this castle and the super living history we observed as part of the castle siege weekend. 

Do it was just my husband, myself and our 7 year old twin daughters who got to experience this super event. We spent about four hours at the castle and in the grounds and didn't get to see it all, so it really is a place where you can spend the whole day with the family, especially when there are events on, like the castle siege we attended. I see there are lots of different events and I particularly fancy the jousting in July but sadly we are already away at that time.

Visiting Standen House and Garden - National Trust with Children

Since joining the National Trust early last year we have been big fans. I love that we can go somewhere as a family and all enjoy ourselves but for different reasons. Every property is unique and there is something fun at each one. Over the Easter holiday, we decided to take a trip to Standen House and Garden which is about an hours drive from our home.

We used the sat nav to get into the right area and then picked up the brown signs as the sat nav would have taken us further than the actual property. The entrance to the property is down a pretty single lane and we were greeted by very friendly staff who made sure we could park easily.

As we arrived it started to spit with rain so we headed straight into the house for a look round and as it was Easter real eggs had been hidden across the property for the kids to seek out and count. They love these kinds of activities at NT properties.