By Lyn Funnell
Some National Trust properties and gardens have a Christmas theme and we visited most of them in Sussex with daughter Rana, granddaughter Isabella and sometimes Stormy the Dog.
STANDEN
Unfortunately they had got their dates wrong so the Christmas decorations weren’t up.
I loved the house and garden. Weekends there must have been great fun!
My one complaint was that they really need a public toilet in the car park. People travel a long way to visit National Trust properties and the loos are up a steep hill in the main building. https://unknownkentandsussex.co.uk/10920-2/
NYMANS
Nymans had a fairy tale theme, with a decorated walk to the house.
Only the centre part of the house remains after a terrible fire and they weren’t allowed to restore it due to a post-War shortage of building materials. But the rooms were beautifully decorated with fairytale themes.
The gardens will be worth seeing in the Spring and summer. But unfortunately I have a phobia about fires and destroyed property so I won’t be going again. https://unknownkentandsussex.co.uk/11235-2/
BATEMAN’S
Stormy the Dog wrote this article.
Bateman’s is worth a visit any time of the year.
Its Christmas theme was The Jungle Book, which is a good choice as Rudyard Kipling lived there!
And the garden with its mill is worth seeing. https://unknownkentandsussex.co.uk/11063-2/
ELF ON THE SHELF AT SHEFFIELD PARK AND GARDEN
This was my favourite visit as it scored points in every way!
There are 12 Elves, all decorated by different designers. There is no hold-up as the Elves are spaced around the Gardens and everyone keeps moving at a steady pace.
The gardens are worth seeing any time of the year and they’re a perfect setting for the Elves.
Most National Trust properties are dog-friendly and some members go there regularly if they live nearby.
And finally…
THE BEDGEBURY CHRISTMAS TRAIL. 100 YEARS OF BEDGEBURY PINETUM
Bedgebury isn’t a National Trust property. It belongs to the Forestry Commission.
But it’s an interesting walk around the trail any time of the year. And its Christmas Trail is absolutely amazing! https://unknownkentandsussex.co.uk/11016-2/
