The best National Trust places to visit in the Midlands

From magnificent, sprawling estates to hidden-away gardens, The Midlands is home to some of the most incredible National Trust places. These treasured spots have been preserved by the charity for their importance to British culture and are open to the public to inspire and educate.

We have chosen some of the best National Trust places to visit in the The Midlands, including grand stately homes, exotic gardens, and fascinating Roman remains. Find out where kids can dress up as Victorian school pupils or chimney sweeps for the day, where dogs can enjoy tail-wagging walks through scenic parkland, and glorious gardens where couples can savour a peaceful picnic.  Many of these National Trust sites feature tearooms and gift shops, as well as special events throughout the year, and if you’re a member you might be able to visit for free! We also have National Trust guides to the East of England, Somerset, Devon, and all around the UK. 

If you’re planning on exploring some of these magical National Trust properties in the Midlands, why not have a browse of our cosy holiday cottages nearby by clicking the button below?

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• Family-friendly places
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The best family-friendly National Trust places to visit in The Midlands

Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire

Walk in the footsteps of the Romans as you enjoy one of the top National Trust days out in Gloucestershire for families. Nestled within the heart of the Cotswolds near Roman Britain’s most affluent regional stronghold at Cirencester, Chedworth Roman Villa is an ancient site is home to the remains of one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain. Budding young soldiers can dress up in gladiator costumes and set out on an adventure to search for clues about the lives of the villa’s previous inhabitants.

Within each room, kids can look out for placards which highlight some of the amazing inventions that the Roman Empire brought to Britain, including baths, latrines, remarkable underfloor heating systems, and spectacular mosaics. Join one of the free guided tours to learn more fascinating secrets, before discovering a host of artefacts found on-site in the museum. On sunny days, lay out a blanket and enjoy a family picnic in the captivating countryside surroundings and be sure to keep an eye out for the famed giant Roman snails!

Photo credits: @kayleigh_brushneen (top)

Chastleton House and Garden, Oxfordshire

When it comes to family-friendly National Trust places in The Midlands, Chastleton House and Garden ticks all the boxes. Situated in Oxfordshire, this stately manor built by a prosperous wool merchant, is a Jacobean architectural marvel. Having only been bequeathed to the trust in 1991 by the same family who has lived here for around 400 years, the building remains largely unchanged and is a fascinating time capsule - you genuinely feel like you’re stepping back in time.

Before you start exploring, pick up a family activity pack from the visitor reception, filled with all manner of exciting objects for little ones, such as binoculars, a magnifying glass, tape measure, and explorer and bird identification sheets, and set off on an adventure of discovery within the house. Measure tables, search for squirrels in the plasterwork of the ceilings, and keep your eyes peeled for mystery doors. Outside, more fun awaits in the beautiful gardens where kids can play hide and seek amongst the Jacobean topiary, follow the Wilderness Walk, and play a round of croquet on the lawn (the rules of the game were originally invented here!).

Photo credits: @disraeli81

Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire

 Cared for by National Trust East Midlands, Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood makes for a packed kids’ day out in Derbyshire. A showpiece for 17th-century craftsmanship, the house has been home to the Lords of Vernon for 300 years and features lavish interiors dating from the Restoration period. Soak up the history with a tour and marvel at the family portraits in the Long Gallery, the Great Staircase which is considered one of the finest in a country house, the 1930s kitchen, and the elegant family rooms.

 After the little ones have had fun searching for interesting characters within the intricate plasterwork and carvings of the house, venture into the National Trust Museum of Childhood which lies within the Victorian servants’ wing of the Hall. Here, a treasure trove of interactive toys and games from the past and present-day await. Try your hand as a chimney sweep, a scullion or a Victorian school pupil, play jacks and marbles in the Victorian Street, delve into a Victorian mine tunnel, and create magical stories in the performance area.

Photo credits: @ntsudbury

The Workhouse and Infirmary, Nottinghamshire

The Workhouse and Infirmary in Southwell, Nottinghamshire is the world's most complete building of its kind in existence. Built in 1824, as a refuge for the poor. The Workhouse was a harsh environment and a place of hardship and struggle for the 160 inmates that lived and worked at any one time within its thick stone walls. It's a very distinctive building with a very imposing stone and brick structure, and it makes for an intriguing and interesting family day out. 

If you are a fan of Charles Dickens' writing then you will be no stranger to the rigours of a rural workhouse. Inmates lived a segregated life within the workhouse and tasks included breaking rocks for roads and pulling ropes apart. Other tasks included laundry, or worked in the nearby infirmary or animal barns. Learn all about what it meant to be in poverty in the UK during the 1800s and consider yourself lucky things are a little bit better in the 21st century.

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The best dog-friendly National Trust places to visit in The Midlands

Croome, Worcestershire

Tails are sure to be wagging with delight when four-legged family members catch sight of the enormous grounds of Croome in Worcestershire, cared for by the National Trust West Midlands. One of the top dog-friendly National Trust places in the Heart of England, the estate features a visitor centre and museum which was once RAF Defford’s secret wartime airbase, and the magnificent Croome Court which was previously the home of the Coventry family since the 16^th century. Although dogs are unable to enter the Court, RAF museum, shop and the RAF canteen, they are, however, welcome to scamper around the surrounding Capability Brown parkland and woodland on a lead.

 Pick up one of the dog-friendly walking maps from the visitor reception and set out on an adventure through the parkland where there are surprises around every corner. The grandest of English landscapes with commanding views over the Malverns, there are follies, statues and temples to discover, along with an enchanting church, a mesmerising Rotunda, and a bird hide. You’ll find plenty of water bowls and dog waste bins, and when you fancy a bite to eat there is an undercover outdoor seating area at the café where your pup can join you for a sticky slice of homemade cake.

Photo credits: @ntcroome (top) and @mazie.vizsla (bottom)

Attingham Park, Shropshire

 Another of the best National Trust properties in the Midlands to bring your dog to is Attingham Park in Shropshire. Originally built for Lord Berwick in 1785, this atmospheric mansion and its 600-acre estate stand as remnants of a family fortune that rose and fell over eight generations. Inside, decadent Regency interiors feature period furniture, artwork and collections of silver, and you can also venture ‘below stairs’ to see how the servants once lived and worked.

 Outside is where those with four paws can have some fun. Designated short lead, on-lead and off-lead areas allow canine explorers to see as much of the grounds as possible, including the beautiful Deer Park. There are plenty of dog waste bins, and you’ll also find 10-minute tie-up points in the Stables Courtyard so you can quickly pop into the shop, toilets and café. After a long walk, there’s nothing better than a relaxing cuppa, so head for the undercover area known as Dog Walker’s Rest where brimming bowls of water await happy hounds and you can tuck into something delicious too.

Photo credits: @countryhouseobsession (top) and @theramblinghuman (bottom)

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

Strolling through the 3,800 acres of enchanting natural woodland, parkland and heathland with your cuddly canine by your side is one of the best ways to experience Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. One of the top National Trust Midlands places that is pet friendly, Clumber was once the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle. The house that stood here was demolished in 1938, but within the park, you’ll discover glimpses of its grand past, including a Gothic-style chapel, a charming Walled Kitchen Garden, and a spectacular serpentine lake complete with balustraded bridge and delightful Doric Temple.

Grab the collar and lead and enjoy one of the many dog-friendly walking trails through the grounds, looking out for a variety of wildlife including deer and longhorn cattle – there’s nowhere that’s out of bounds to four legs here! There’s even a dedicated indoor space where you can all rest for a while after your jaunt with refreshing bowls of water, as well as dog beds and blankets if they fancy a little snooze while you have a bite to eat.

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The best National Trust gardens in the Midlands

Hidcote, Gloucestershire

One of the finest National Trust gardens in the Heart of England, Hidcote in Gloucestershire is also one of the most inventive with its intricately designed outdoor garden rooms. Created by the great American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston, this Arts and Crafts-inspired garden features a labyrinth of narrow paved pathways leading to hidden spaces, a profusion of colourful flora and some incredible panoramic views of the surrounding Cotswolds countryside.

Vast in size, there are lots of peaceful spots to while away an hour or two, perhaps enjoying a picnic beneath the towering trees of the ‘Wilderness’, or sitting with a book beside one of the shimmering pools surrounded by wildflowers and butterflies. With so many unique plants which were collected by Johnston on his exotic travels, this garden is packed full of interesting photographic opportunities for nature lovers and those with green fingers.

Packwood House and Gardens, Warwickshire

 Not only is this restored Tudor house one of the most popular National Trust houses in Warwickshire, but the gardens are second to none. Famed for their collection of striking yew trees, the mingled-style gardens make Packwood House a wonderful place to escape for a while - especially during the summer months when pretty perennials fill the borders, purple-headed alliums line the pathways, and the wildflower meadows are carpeted in a colourful array of cowslips, irises and buttercups, attracting bumblebees and fluttering butterflies.

 The bountiful Kitchen Garden offers row upon row of seasonal fruit and vegetables, much of which can be found on the menu of Packwood’s café. And amongst the vivid tapestry of flamboyant flower borders, the iconic Yew Garden is the star of the show. According to legend, the yew trees at Packwood represent the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and are over 350 years old.

Photo credits: @kralcaj (top) and @fromthevinetraveltime (bottom)

Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire

 Make the most of the sunshine with a stroll around the fragrant gardens of Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire. These much-loved National Trust gardens in the West Midlands were originally designed by George London to complement the William and Mary-style house in the early 1700s but were unfortunately swept away when fashions changed. Twenty years ago, they were carefully reinstated according to original plans and are truly spectacular, with all manner of glorious colours and scents to take in.

 Enveloping the house that was the seat of the Vernon family for over 300 years and which contains a fascinating collection of artefacts and artworks representative of the period, the 400 acres of gardens and parkland features an intricately laid out formal parterre, fruit garden, two orchards, a bowling green, and a working 1730s orangery. Admire the pomegranates, oleander, and agaves in the Great Garden, revel in the seclusion of the Walled Garden among the flowers, fruits and vegetables, and learn the secrets to a good harvest from the friendly gardening team – they even offer interesting guided tours of the garden.

Photo credits: @aldred_david (top) and @nthanburhall (bottom)

Lyveden, Northamptonshire

A superb example of Elizabethan architecture, the ruin of Lyveden makes a bold visual impact on all that visit. Set in a moated garden, there are photo opportunities galore at this intriguing National Trust property. To describe Lyveden as a ruin is probably to do it as a disservice because it was never actually completed by its designer, Sir Thomas Tresham. Work stopped on the project after his death in 1605, and in the main it has remained unchanged for the most part. Within the walls you can see cryptic symbols and religious iconography that are seemingly indecipherable, also the extent and layout of the final design remains shrouded too, making Lyveden a true enigma for those that love beautiful mysteries.

At Lyveden, you will find wildlife and evidence of conservation projects that Natonal Trust staff and volunteers undertake on site. There is also a visitor centre and a lovely cafe. Lyveden's position makes its convenient for walking the circular Lyveden Way, a leafy walking trail through the surrounding Northamptonshire countryside. Dogs are welcome all over the site (please note that only assistance dogs are permitted in the Common Room). Lyveden is a charming wild place with alluring outdoor spaces for all the family to fall in love with. For more ideas of stately homes to visit in the UK, check out our guide.

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Map of National Trust places in the Midlands

Stay with us in The Midlands

With so many incredible National Trust places in The Midlands to explore, why not treat your loved ones to a relaxing break in one of our cottages nearby? See how many of these beautiful houses, parkland, and gardens you can tick off the list, then put your feet up in the cosy surroundings of our self-catering accommodation. 

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family, a large group or bringing the dog, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay within our collection of holiday cottages in The Midlands. Just click the button below to have a browse.

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