National Trust – Anglesey Abbey
National Trust visits – Anglesey Abbey
Visiting National Trust properties is one of my favourite things to do as I explore Suffolk and visit places of interest. I love eating in lovely National Trust restaurants and drinking in some of their great coffee shops. I do all this so I can report back on what you can do when you stay in our holiday cottages in Suffolk on your short break or holiday. Or to put it another way, I can have a day out and pretend I’m working!
One such day out on a bright, fresh February Sunday was a trip to Anglesey Abbey. We’ve been many times as National Trust members and the first thing to confess is… it’s in Cambridgeshire! That aside, it’s still easy to get to from the holiday cottages and as a number of our guests from further afield have visited there I thought I’d bring you some info on it anyway.
It’s a stunning Jacobean-style mansion house, which is only about a hundred years old, in a hundred acres or so of wonderful, unspoilt gardens and woodland. The name is derived from the original Abbey, which stood in the grounds since around 1100. Purchased in the late 1920’s by the wonderfully named Urban Huttleston Rogers Broughton, he set about building his home.
The house itself is crammed with opulent charm, antiques and paintings and the gardens are fabulous. Perfect for families as there is tons for kids to do, but equally it’s a real treat for grown-up kids wanting to explore a very grand home. A real bonus is the fascinating working water mill, which is open for visitors to look around.
The gardens were designed to display all manner of species all year round and there are some really interesting woodland areas aimed at kids too.
Loved the look of this tree house!
Lots of urns, garden statues and sculptures dotted the grounds, with a range of influences. Some of them seem out of place, just randomly plonked around but they do give a really decadent feel to what is largely an unspoilt, natural woodland.
Many impressive species create an awe-inspiring sight. Two of my favourites are the red dogwoods and the incredible silver birches. They’ve just planted another 100 or so!
So nice to see a number of flowers poking through this early in the year.
Very interesting tree art that we nearly missed! It just hangs from the trees above the pathway near the mill and it’s easy to walk straight underneath without knowing it’s there. This one was lots of bamboo pieces, woven together with wire.
There are so many different parts to the gardens and this was a gorgeous old gateway to a little secret garden area.
The snowdrops of course were in abundance with pockets of them everywhere. It’s lovely to see them growing amongst lots of other species.
The Lode Mill is such a great treasure here and is still open and working.
Grain coming down the shoot ready to be milled.
More hanging tree art adorns the pathways.
To conclude then;
Anglesey Abbey, a beautiful National Trust property, offers a delightful escape for visitors year-round. Known for its stunning house and gardens, the Jacobean-style country house is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, including the famous Winter Garden. Visitors can explore Lode Mill, enjoy the formal garden, and marvel at the impressive collection at Anglesey Abbey, which includes rare pieces curated by Lord Fairhaven.
During the right time of year, Anglesey Abbey snowdrops take centre stage, showcasing an array of varieties of snowdrop that draw gardening enthusiasts and families alike. This remarkable snowdrop collection is a highlight for visitors and reflects the property’s dedication to preserving natural beauty.
Originally owned by Huttleston Broughton, also known as Lord Fairhaven, this country house and estate were lovingly restored before being opened to the public as part of the National Trust. With its rich history, including ties to Thomas Hobson, and attractions such as the play area for children, Anglesey Abbey National Trust caters to visitors of all ages.
Booking Anglesey Abbey tickets allows guests to experience not only the house and gardens but also the enchanting charm of the Anglesey Abbey snowdrops. Consider pairing your visit with National Trust cottage holidays for an extended stay in the countryside, immersing yourself in the tranquillity and heritage of this remarkable property.
Whether it’s exploring the front of the house, strolling through the formal garden, or admiring National Trust images capturing its beauty, Anglesey Abbey remains a must-visit destination for history buffs, garden lovers, and families alike.
Well worth a visit if you are on holiday here in sunny Suffolk, as it’s about an hour from us. Check out their website.
As at Feb 2015 it’s just under £13 for adults and £7 for kids for the whole place or just £8/ £4 for the gardens and mill only.
