The sanctuary of Claremont

PODcast IMG_7421We’re really lucky there are so many National Trust properties in Surrey. We’ve discovered six now, including Polesden Lacey and Winkworth Arboretum we’ve visited month. There are several others still to explore and we will of course be back to those we’ve seen already.

Claremont is described as a place where the views always change, the water sparkles and the secret glades wait. Located near Esher, it’s steeped in 300 years of history and was once the playground of real princesses.

The serpentine lake greeted us when we arrived. A wonderful sight made all the more beautiful with surrounding trees showing the signs of Autumn. Across the water was a truly splendid turf amphitheatre.

PODcast IMG_7409Some unexpected sunshine meant we could enjoy an impromptu picnic beside the lake – after investigating the play area! It was such a peaceful place to be, we stayed there for a good half an hour. POD enjoyed chatting to the birds and ducks too.

We had fabulous views of the Island Pavilion as we walked round the lake. Shortly after passing a pretty Grotto, POD got the opportunity to kick some Autumn leaves. She then began collecting acorns, sticks and chestnuts as we walked. We were privileged to see two dragonflies near the waters edge although it was impossible to photograph them and hold a toddler. Especially as she wanted to take the picture!

PODcast IMG_7557On the opposite side of the lake we discovered ancient knobbly trees and the aptly named Ha-Ha. POD spent a lot of time in this hidden ditch. Either running down it and climbing up the other side or just lying on the grass laughing. On our travels we also found wooden stepping stones which she enjoyed jumping off before embarking on the Titanic pose you see in the slideshow.

Despite this high level of activity, POD still found the energy to embark on climbing the turf Amphitheatre when we reached it. Shouting “come on Mummy” as I bumbled behind her with the buggy and all our ‘stuff’, it was clear she was having the best day.

PODcast IMG_7526Not many can say their first hill roll was down a turf Amphitheatre, made all the more special as it’s the only surviving example of its kind in Europe. It took a while for POD to get the hang of lying down and rolling but once she did she loved it. She didn’t even mind when I removed the green animal poo she’d collected out of her hair!

We then headed up a steep hill. POD spotted a tree stump off the path so we took a slight detour while she sat on it and said “hello” to a spider. After passing the Cormelia Terrace we followed the path round to the Bowling Green and the spectacular Belvedere Tower.

PODcast IMG_7626We then checked out the Nine-Pin Alley which took us to the top of the Amphitheatre. Having promised our toddler she could dress up, we ventured to the Thatched Cottage next running past stone animals on the way. The cottage is a 19th Century building with a wonderful collection of toys and games. POD loved the hobby horses and baskets of wooden toys. Having tried on an outfit she decided she’d tidy up!

Finally, after riding a stone bear and getting soaked jumping in muddy puddles, we arrived at the Tearoom. There we sat outside and had a well-deserved lolly before heading home. We spent hours at Claremont and totally exhausted ourselves but it was so worth it.

We’re linking this post up with How Does Your Garden Grow? at Mammasaurus and Country Kids at Coombe Mill.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

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  • Notmyyearoff October 12, 2013 at 12:28 am

    Sounds really lovely. I like places like this, all open space to run around and doing lots of rolling around!

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 10:03 am

      It is a wonderful place Tas, we had the best time – especially in the Ha-Ha!

  • Nichola Fabfortymum October 12, 2013 at 12:46 am

    oh wow Charly what fabulous pictures POD is looking even more adorable than usual, if that’s possible. Her wee happy smiling face says it all, she was loving her day out at a beautiful spot. I’d kill for a garden like that, complete with grey lag geese. If I Iived there I’d never been seen in the outside world again!

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 10:06 am

      What a lovely thing to say Nichola. POD had the best time at Claremont – especially in the Ha-Ha and rolling down the amphitheatre! Such a beautiful place 🙂

  • Kriss MacDonald October 12, 2013 at 2:05 am

    Claremont’s gardens look amazing. What fun too for POD to roll down the Ampitheatre hill.
    #countrykids

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 10:15 am

      They’re just fabulous Kriss, we had the best time there. It was great seeing POD doing her first roll down a hill albeit a very special one 🙂

  • Sara (@mumturnedmom) October 12, 2013 at 2:52 am

    Oh, I just love the photos of POD playing in the amphitheatre!
    What a stunning garden. Formal gardens are something I miss, haven’t found any here yet…

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 10:25 am

      Such a shame you haven’t found any gardens yet, you can share if you like! Claremont is just fabulous – all of it. Even loved the tearooms! The amphitheatre and Ha-Ha were pretty special 🙂

  • Iona@redpeffer October 12, 2013 at 8:26 am

    As always I love your photo’s and ‘welcome to the National Trust club!’ Good fun to visit aren’t they. By the looks of it you have some very grand and expansive grounds to explore near you too.

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 10:41 am

      Thank you, you’re too kind! There are so many wonderful places near us. Loved it here!

  • Jocelyn (@IHaveCards) October 12, 2013 at 8:37 am

    It looks gorgeous there, and lovely photos of POD 🙂

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 10:39 am

      Thank you, it’s a fabulous place to visit. POD had a ball!

  • becky @ lakes single mum October 12, 2013 at 10:38 am

    that looks fabulous

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 11:56 am

      It’s wonderful there, beautiful place 🙂

  • Only Best For Baby October 12, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    It sounds like you had a lovely day out and POD looks like she really enjoyed herself! x

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      Really lovely day thanks Lydia, it’s such a fabulous place 🙂

  • 76 sunflowers October 12, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Looks like a lovely place. We have some great NT places here too and I love how they cater for children now too. Beautiful pics 🙂

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 11:07 pm

      Thank you very much and hello *waves* – just been over to your blog and followed 🙂

      • 76sunflowers October 17, 2013 at 1:38 pm

        Thank you very much! I’ve just dropped in via How does your garden grow! 🙂

  • Coombe Mill - Fiona October 12, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Claremont is stunning, I’m not surprised you managed to while away a few hours there. What a perfect place to have a picnic and with so much to see and explore. I can see that POD had a fab time with some hill rolling and splashing in the puddles. Thanks for linking up and sharing your outdoor fun with Country Kids.

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 11:08 pm

      Thank you Fiona, it’s the most wonderful place – just beautiful. So great that POD had such a good time too 🙂

  • Kim Carberry October 12, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    How lovely! It sounds so magical x

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 11:09 pm

      Thank you Kim, it was amazing 🙂

  • Sarah MumofThree World October 12, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Lovely photos – looks like POD had great fun. We don’t have anywhere like this near us.

    • Charly Dove October 12, 2013 at 11:27 pm

      That’s a shame Sarah and thank you. It’s a fabulous place, POD had an absolute ball!

  • LauraCYMFT October 13, 2013 at 11:34 am

    Another gorgeous place to visit!

    • Charly Dove October 13, 2013 at 12:31 pm

      Thank you Laura, we seem to be a little spoilt, so many places to visit 🙂

  • Claudia October 17, 2013 at 12:10 am

    you really are lucky to live near so many wonderful open spaces. what a beautiful place for POD to grow up. love the pics of her on the grass. what a cutie!

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:21 pm

      Thank you Claudia, it’s a great place. Surprisingly sunny that day too so we lapped it all up 🙂

  • Sara (@mumturnedmom) October 17, 2013 at 2:42 am

    Just popped back from How does your garden grow? – still loving the photos of POD, but the gardens really are beautiful x

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:22 pm

      Thank you Sara, didn’t fancy a post of our garden this week 🙂

  • Mary Keynko October 17, 2013 at 10:05 am

    There is nothing quite as much fun as rolling how a grassy slope! What a beautiful day out

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:22 pm

      Was such a good laugh Mary – and the Ha-Ha too, POD had a ball in there 🙂

  • Nichola Fabfortymum October 17, 2013 at 10:12 am

    aaah I had another real smile at this post this morning, you really do sell these National Trust properties to me – they should employ you for marketing Charly, at a premium of course xxx

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:23 pm

      That’s very kind of you Nichola – we’re lucky we have so many around us. Just loved them so far too, lots of space for POD to run around in 🙂

  • Mammasaurus October 17, 2013 at 11:37 am

    Gorgeous photos as ever, I was gutted when the NT walk was cancelled this week, but am thinking of heading off there solo early next week as your photos lately have made me want to check out some NT places.
    POD looks to be having the best fun – hill rolling is great at any age!
    Thanks for joining in and sharing x

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      Not surprised, an Autumn walk sounded rather lovely. You should definitely have a wander round some National Trust properties. The ones we’ve seen so far have been fabulous although we still have the estates of each to check out when POD is less like a bull in a china shop!

  • Katie October 17, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Love those knobbly trees!

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:25 pm

      Thanks Katie, they were superb!

  • older mum in a muddle October 17, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    I adore the pictures of her rolling down the hill….. just gorgeous. X

    • Charly Dove October 18, 2013 at 6:25 pm

      Thank you lovely lady, she had a ball once she got the hang of it!

  • Charlotte October 29, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    Lovely pictures! Surrey has some gorgeous places, still have yet to see most of them though! 🙂 x

  • PODcast | Autumn at Winkworth Arboretum November 14, 2013 at 11:41 am

    […] more about Winkworth Arboretum, October’s post is here. Other National Trust reads include The Sanctuary of Claremont, Exploring Polesden Lacey, Fairies & Bluebells and Maoris & a secret […]

  • PODcast | Claremont's Twelve Days of Christmas December 16, 2013 at 7:11 am

    […] POD enjoyed rolling down the turf amphitheatre, the only surviving one of its kind in Europe, when we initially visited in October. A great start to our toddler’s list of 50 things to do before you’re […]

  • PODcast | The year in pictures January 1, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    […] returning just a few weeks later! Another National Trust property we saw for the first time was Claremont – described as a place where the views always change, the water sparkles and the secret glades […]

  • PODcast | The Majestic Commons January 16, 2014 at 10:30 am

    […] lucky to have so many National Trust sites to visit in Surrey. From Winkworth Arboretum and Claremont to Polesden Lacey and Hatchlands Park, we’ve seen quite a few now. But there are many, many […]