Family fun at Clandon Park

Having recently explored Bookham Commons, The Majestic Commons and Claremont, last weekend saw us visit another National Trust property.

Located at the foot of the Surrey Hills, Clandon Park is a spectacular example of a Palladian mansion. Built by a Venetian architect for Lord Onslow in the 1720s, the estate has been passed down through generations of this famous family.

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Although the Winter season, there is still family fun to be had at Clandon Park. We headed over for their Wildlife Fact Finding Trail which had us following boards around the garden.

The clue “the first creature you seek along the trail has two large ears and a cottontail” was our starting point. From there each board provided us with facts and a clue to the next board. Questions such as “Who is the home maker who likes a fresh bed?”  “Whose wings rattle?” and “Who changes colour in Winter?” kept POD occupied.

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The grounds of Clandon Park include a beautiful parterre which is a formal garden of planting beds in symmetrical patterns. Edged with tightly clipped hedging, POD enjoyed running around them before Daddy jumped out from behind a hedge! POD then attempted to make a bid for freedom running to the front of the house!

Clandon Park is also home to a wonderful Dutch Garden which was originally modelled on the sunken garden at Hampton Court. And this fabulous flint grotto.

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We love the Hinemihi, POD even knocked on the door at one point to see if anyone was inside. This is the only historic Maori meeting house in the UK and one of a handful outside New Zealand – it was brought back from there in 1892.

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Having had a good run around and completed the trail, POD took it upon herself to have a sit down. It’s hard work being a 3 year old!

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Now she’s a little bigger, hopefully next time we visit Clandon Park we’ll be able to explore inside the house. Now that would be exciting!

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

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  • Dean January 25, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    That’s a lovely place! Love the Moari house 🙂 Did you guys have the chance to take a peek inside? We haven’t had the chance to visit any National Trust properties at all! 🙁 Hopefully soon. I need a good fix! 🙂

    • Charly Dove January 25, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      It’s a fabulous place Dean, such a lovely day too. The house wasn’t open when we were there but we’re itching to have a nose inside – it sounds amazing. Hopefully POD is old enough now too. You must go see some NT properties, we’re huge fans as you know 🙂

  • jo January 25, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    We LOVE Clandon Park! Have you been to Hatchlands too? That’s just up the road and has a fabulous bluebell wood area, there’s tons of them around April-May time. The little grotto is great isn’t it? It got H’s imagination going, I think she thought a troll lived in there 🙂

    I was thinking about a Box Hill trip today, if only to get some fresh air, though I suspect it’ll be tomorrow now!

    • Charly Dove January 25, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      It’s fabulous isn’t it Jo, we love it too and Hatchlands. Both Clandon and Hatchlands are only c.10 mins drive away from us. The bluebells at Hatchlands were amazing, we went last year. We’re hoping to explore all the stately homes this year as well as the estates – hoping POD is big enough to enjoy them. Hopefully you saved Box Hill for tomorrow with this weather, was so lovely earlier 🙂

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  • sarah January 25, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    wow that looks amazing! i love that little flint grottow!

    • Charly Dove January 25, 2014 at 5:44 pm

      Thank you Sarah – it’s a fabulous place 🙂

  • Kriss MacDonald January 25, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    My list of National Trust properties that I want to visit is getting longer and longer thanks to you!! I also love that last shot of Pod with the sunlight backlit in her hair.

    • Charly Dove January 25, 2014 at 5:51 pm

      Sorry about that Kriss – we’re lucky there are so many great places to visit in Surrey. Clandon and Hatchlands are very close to us 🙂

  • Sara (@mumturnedmom) January 25, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    This look great – love the flint grotto and the Maori meeting house. Another wonderful place to visit 🙂 #CountryKids

    • Charly Dove January 25, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      Thank you Sara – it really is. POD loves the Maori meeting house especially although she thinks someone lives there 🙂

  • Coombemill - Fiona January 25, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    What a wonderful NT property with many treasures to explore. It looks like POD had fun and managed to burn off some energy, let’s hope you make it inside the house soon. Thanks for linking up and sharing your fun and lovely photos with Country Kids.

    • Charly Dove January 25, 2014 at 6:00 pm

      No worries at all Fiona – thank you for hosting! The house is only open at specific times at the moment but we’ll be in there soon enough I’m sure. It looks amazing 🙂

  • Mummy of Two January 26, 2014 at 9:22 am

    What a great place to visit. I love the idea of the wildlife trail.

    • Charly Dove January 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm

      Thank you – it really was, fabulous place 🙂

  • Faded Seaside Mama January 26, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    You always seem to find the most amazing places to visit. I think if I was a bit further west, your many wonderful posts and photos would have persuaded me to join the National Trust as well. A wonderful day out! #CountryKids

    • Charly Dove January 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm

      It’s definitely worth it if you have properties nearby Sally. We’re lucky we have so much. Thank you for your lovely comments 🙂

  • LauraCYMFT January 26, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    That little house is so cute!

    • Charly Dove January 28, 2014 at 1:31 pm

      It is lovely isn’t it – POD always wants to look inside. She’s sure someone lives in there!

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