The UK summer season is still on for the next couple of weeks before autumn starts. I bet most of us especially mums are looking for family travel destinations to make the most of the summer sun. Remember to adhere to social distancing rules, wash hands, wear face coverings in public indoor spaces and stay safe. You will need to pre-book tickets for National Trust sites at least a day before travelling.
If you are looking for places to make the most of the British summer weather and catch the colours of summer flowers, try visiting this UK gem. You don’t need to pre-book entrance tickets for this site. You can pay contactless at the entrance. I love the tranquil feels of this place and the calming water features-river and mini waterfalls. The little one enjoyed feeding and watching the fishes too. Toilets are available to use. Here are some of our snapshots.
You need to pre-book tickets to visit the garden and for sure it won’t disappoint. This place is a sanctuary of a wide variety of plants. We enjoyed strolling down the beautiful hydrangea flowers and tropical plants. Social distancing measures are very much in place and toilets are open to the public. The little one enjoyed the gardens and the stunning red bridges. You can also visit Chesil beach which is only a couple of minutes away by car and the Abbotsbury Swannery is also nearby.
This amazing and instagrammable place is popular with its Elizabethan architecture and glowing ham stones. The garden, parkland, toilets and shop are all open when you book in advance. There is also a playground under a massive tree which gives a very laidback, countryside vibe. The little one loved riding the horse swings. The vast parkland is picturesque with views of the surrounding landscapes. Public viewing of the house is currently unavailable and you will need to pre-book your tickets from the National Trust website. The Cafe is open for food to takeaway.
Kingston Lacy National Trust in Somerset
If you love parklands and gardens, you will enjoy your time here. The house looks magnificent. It is currently unavailable for public viewing due to strict social distancing rules but the landscapes and outdoor space are stunning enough to enjoy the last British summer sun. We enjoyed running, walking, having a picnic and exploring acres of woodland and gardens. You will need to pre-book entrace tickets from the National Trust website and the cafe is also open.
Spend a weekend in Devon
If you are willing to travel farther south and thinking of a weekend getaway with a toddler, you can book a staycation in Devon. We booked a hotel in Dawlish, Devon which is around 2 hours away from our place and we loved our stay. There were lots of activities for the little ones. On Saturday, we went to The World of Country Life which is packed with activities for children and adults to enjoy. We fed the deers on a land train. We also went car racing, watched endangered birds and enjoyed the tallest slides. Just remember to follow social distancing rules. There were plenty of hand sanitizers around the park and hand washing areas. No need to pre-book tickets. You can buy them on the day of your visit. There are also activities and food places in Dawlish Warren Beach. We enjoyed go carting and walking around the beach and promenade.
On Sunday, we visited Powderham Castle which is a 600-year-old manor home of the Earl and Countess of Devon who actually lives in one of the houses in the estate. They had a Heritage open day on the day of our visit which I was pleased about. We only paid for the car parking fee. You will need to book in advance to visit the castle.
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