Exploring English Estates // England with Kids // Part 5

IMG_1985 Hello again! The past few days we’ve been in the mountains of France (more on my Instagram if you’d like to see) and we haven’t had a strong internet connection. We’re in Aix-en-Provence, France, now, and I am back to sharing some photos that I edited while still in the Alps.

I am having so much fun blogging as we go, and I think it will be harder to blog when we are home again, so here we go!

IMG_2023 Back to where I left off in Sussex in southern England. We were house- and pet-sitting for some folks we found through Trusted Housesitters, and we enjoyed spending a lot of afternoons exploring National Trust estates nearby. If you want to enjoy rural England, I highly recommend getting the overseas National Trust pass (good for a week) and visiting these beautiful old estates and gardens! These visits were the highlight of our time in England.

IMG_2019 This particular day, we visited Nymans, an estate that was owned by the mother-in-law of Princess Margaret (if you’re into British royalty!). The gorgeous old home was partially destroyed in a fire — hence the lack of roof on some of the house.

The gardens were magnificent with so many azaleas and camellias and magnolias in bloom. These two flower photos are not touched up or edited at all.

IMG_1983 IMG_2022 I loved this flower-arranging station inside the house at Nymans.

IMG_2024 At a used bookshop on the property (because how perfect is that?!), we picked up a couple of British reads: The Casual Vacancy for me and White Teeth for Elliott. After receiving so many negative reviews from friends here, though, I decided to continue reading The Man Who Was Thursday instead.

IMG_2027 Before deciding that, though, I read some of the book on a bench under a cherry tree, and the petals kept falling around me like snow. Forest napped quietly in the Ergo. What a lovely afternoon!

IMG_1996 When he finally woke up, he got lots of snuggles before we headed home for the day.

IMG_2012 IMG_2017 On another gorgeous day, we visited Rudyard Kipling’s old home, called Bateman’s. This was probably our favorite National Trust property to visit.

IMG_2036 As we ate a picnic lunch, Lena and Gil played a version of horseshoes with a couple of English girls. They made friends and played games with children wherever we went. It was beautiful to see!

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IMG_2209 Afterwards, we explored Kipling’s beautiful old home.

IMG_2208 IMG_2061 Lena and Gil were doing the scavenger hunt to earn a chocolate Easter bunny. Cadbury was collaborating with the National Trust that week during the Easter holiday, so our kids joined many happy children at all the sites doing the hunts and earning their chocolate bunnies!

Below is the study where Rudyard Kipling wrote his books.

IMG_2067 IMG_2068 If you must have a bathroom without plumbing, this is quite a beautiful bathroom to have!

IMG_2076 Afterwards we explored more of the gorgeous grounds, including the pond filled with tiny tadpoles and the unbelievable “Wild Garden” behind the formal gardens.

IMG_2211 Again, not edited at all!

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IMG_2206 IMG_2191 IMG_2046 Later in the day, we headed to Bodiam Castle, a nearby National Trust property.

IMG_2199 IMG_2196 When we walked out, a visitor was feeding bread to the ducks, and she gave lots to Lena and Gil. They had so much fun, but were a little overwhelmed!

IMG_2197 Elliott the veterinarian had other designs on the ducks, though… as usual. Lena got to feel his webbed feet!

IMG_2175 A photo to help me remember my littlest one and my own self at this stage of life, and how content we are being snuggled together.

And one to help me remember how our two older children love climbing in trees and hanging on branches… with castles in the background!

IMG_2202 IMG_2201 We stopped at this gorgeous hotel and pub to eat dinner. They had tables outside, which was perfect for our noisy and tired crew.

IMG_2192 IMG_2194 And then, on the long ride home, Forest and Lena were playing and he kicked out her loose tooth! It had been a topic of intense conversation for weeks, so we were all thrilled it was finally gone. Gil, meanwhile, tried to pull out his own by tugging on his socks… hmm. Bedtime for everyone.

More to come soon, I hope!

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4 Responses to Exploring English Estates // England with Kids // Part 5

  1. Kelly April 24, 2017 at 4:17 am #

    This is lovely. Thank you for sharing :)

    • Poppy April 24, 2017 at 6:13 am #

      Such wonderful pics! My fav was of Kipling’s study. Wow. I’m going to show it to Mom for our next place…

  2. Abi April 24, 2017 at 6:29 am #

    These photos are breathtaking, but I think my favorite is of the sock-tugger and snaggle-tooth! :) Thank you for sharing your amazing travels with us! I CAN’T WAIT to see what you’ve been up to in France! Bisous, mon amie!

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