Weekend Adventures- The Elizabethan Gem, Montacute House

I’m just going to put this out there- I love National Trust properties.  Yes, I am well aware this is probably going to ruin my street cred (ha as if I have street cred)  but I really do love nothing more on a weekend than going and exploring a stately home, manicured garden and some pretty quintessentially English landscapes. In Australia, we don’t have many of these historic buildings. We have a completely different history.  So maybe this is where my fascination with these properties comes from I’m just not used to them.  We read about mansions and castles in books but never got to actually see any or walk around them.

I love the history, the stories, the artwork, the secret gardens if all just makes you feel like stepping back in time (or often for me like I am a royal queen) and seeing how different life was in the past. I think the national trust has done a tremendous job restoring and maintaining these properties. To think they are still standing and still intact after 100s of years is amazing.

We’ve been to see quite a few places over the years and some of which has been blogged about previously (and many still to be blogged about) but over the Easter weekend this year we ventured to the Elizabethan Gem Montacute House.

Located just outside of Yeovil in Somerset this commanding house was built by Sir Edward Phelips in 1598. He was obviously a wealthy and powerful in those days and he was most commonly known for his role in the prosecution in the trial against Guy Fawkes. He was also on very good terms with King James who donated a portrait of himself which is still on display in the house to this very day.


The building is made from the local Ham Stone which gives the building a lovely honey tint. Walking up to the gate you get a lovely view of the house and can see why it’s been used in so many films and Tv programs. The gardens are well manicured and full of colour, especially with the brightly coloured tulips. My personal favourite was the wibbly wobbly hedge that looks like a big green cloud. My other half loved the orangery so much he is now planning to try and build one for us.

After strolling around the gardens we then headed into the house and found signs of the past in all rooms. We even saw a historic version of an ensuite. The most impressive inside the house was the Long Gallery. This is apparently the longest of its kind in the country and houses over 60 portraits. They are spectacular and yes you can feel all theirs eyes watching you. The portraits are on loan from the National Portrait Gallery and well worth seeing. Seeing all the faces, the fashion and different techniques just add more insight into the past. I liked seeing the lesser known portraits just as much as seeing ones of Queen Elizabeth the First and Henry VIII.

When we finished exploring through the house and gardens we then also went to out to explore the village that shares its name with the house. The ham stone is present throughout the village and it couldn’t have been more British if it tried. Two sweet pubs and a very creepy looking museum. It was a lovely little village.


To visit the property is £12.60 per adult from March to October. Outside of these times, you can only visit the garden and there is a discounted rate for those months.  We actually opted to sign up for a year membership to the NT on our visit. I’ve never felt so middle aged in my whole life. But you know what I don’t care I’m just going to keep looking through my book to see where we can have our next weekend adventure.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house

A few more photos to show you this beautiful place

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6 Places to visit in Somerset  

Somerset is a lovely county in the South West of the UK. If you go by the common misconception you would think everyone is country bumpkins, who speak funny and drink too much cider. Actually that is kinda right but it just adds to the charm of this stunning area. 

I’ve lived in this beautiful area of the UK for almost a third of my life and still haven’t even been everywhere yet.

However I have chosen 6 of my favourite places that if you should definitely visit if you find yourself down this way. All within less than an hour drive of each other so you could do all of these in one weekend. 
Glastonbury Abbey
I have been to this place so many times as I just love it. Anyone in the south west knows there is much more to Glastonbury than the festival. It’s a very spiritual town and the abbey is said to be the final resting place of King Arthur. It’s a serene place clocked in history, from the Saxons to the Normans. It truly is beautiful even in its ruined state I can only imagine how beautiful it was in the past. 


Cheddar 
Cheddar cheese, cheddar village and Cheddar Gorge. All great and all need to be enjoyed on your visit. The gorge has lots of walks for all levels of fitness with spectacular views of the mendips. There is caves to be explored and lots of lovely tea shops to stop at and refuel.You can also rock climb if you want something more adventurous than hiking. 


Clevedon Pier
This Victorian Pier is stunning both in looks and that it’s still standing after so many years. It was opened in 1869. Pier’s are a key part of the Great British Seaside and the museum that is attached to the pier shows just how much this pier shaped the history of Clevedon and Somerset. Also if you’re a 1D fan they filmed one of their video clips here a couple of years ago. 



Middle Hope and Sand Point- Kewstoke
Another recent find. This is a National Trust area and perfect for a picnic or walk along the coast line. This area is in British history as weapons were tested here in the Second World War. There is stunning views out over the Estuary and is just as lovely in winter as it is in summer.  


Burnham on Sea Lighthouse

I discovered this gem only last year and you can find some more pictures here. I went in Autumn so the beach wasn’t as busy as it would be in the height of summer and it was beautiful even then. Bit of an odd one but I do love a beach walk in Autumn and winter. This lighthouse is super photogenic and also really interesting to see as it sits low on the beach. 


Wells 
Wells is the UK’s smallest city and has a stunning Cathedral that has to be seen. Closely located to the Cathedral is The Bishop’s Palace and the extremely photogenic Vicars Close. The Cathedral is in Gothic Style and is open to all to explore. The Bishop’ Palace has been the home of the Bishop for over 800 years. The Garden and Moat are beautiful and although there is always others walking it’s always quiet and peaceful. The Vicars Close is thought to be the only complete medieval street left in the UK. Whenever I am there I always feel like I’m in a scene from Harry Potter!

So these are 6 of my favourite places in Somerset. To be honest I could have done a list of 20 but this is more of a taster for you to get you down to our gorgeous county. 

Have you been to Somerset? Where was your favourite place? I’d love to hear them so please do share below in the comments

Autumn goals at Newark Park 

Oh I do love autumn 🍁🍂🍃🌾

The other half and I went off in search of finding some pretty autumn colours. It really is such a gorgeous time of the year here. The initial destination was supposed to be Westonbirt Arboretum but it was to busy and we were to impatient to wait for an hour. So we got our trusty TripAdvisor to see what else was in the area and that’s when we found Newark Park.

What a fabulous place to visit. The house, the grounds, the view and the service by the staff that work or volunteer there.

Whilst it offers something different to Westonbirt if you want to see some beautiful autumn views then this is a great alternative that is less busy and far more charming. If you are in the Cotswold do make sure you out this on your list.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park