We’re really keen to use our National Trust membership more this year. Whilst we spent a few days in Wiltshire over the Easter holidays we were able to visit a couple of properties which had been on our wish list for a while. The first was Lytes Cary Manor in Somerset.
Lytes Cary Manor
Lytes Cary Manor is an intimate medieval manor house with a beautiful Arts and Crafts garden. Originally the family home of Henry Lyte, where he translated the unique Niewe Herball book on herbal remedies, Lytes Cary was then lovingly restored in the 20th century by Sir Walter Jenner. The garden rooms contain a magical collection of topiary and herbaceous borders, while tranquil walks on the estate take you along the River Cary.
The first thing we noticed as we drove us was how extensive the grounds were. There was a formal garden, the house, chapel, various outbuildings housing the shop and tearoom as well as a woodland walk.
We signed up for the Easter Egg Trail then headed into the house. The house is beautiful and the children enjoyed exploring the rooms. We went on a self-guided tour which was perfect, it really let us explore at our own pace.
After we looked round the house we explored the gardens. The gardens at Lytes Cary are really well known. They are in an Arts and Crafts style which means they have been laid out as a series of rooms – there is a pond garden, a vase garden, a lavender garden, sunken garden and cutting garden and more. Our favourite was the amazing topiary in front of the house known as the Apostle Garden, featuring topiarised yews, aligned on the front door in the East front of the house. The two parallel rows of six topiary yews represent the twelve Apostles.
Then it was time to take part in the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt. We paid our £2.50 for each child and they received a guide and pencil. We followed the trail around a small wood, looking for the clues. When we had finished the children exchanged their completed form for a Cadbury chocolate bunny.
It was a fun trail and we retired to the tearoom for tea and cake! A pretty good day out at the lovely Lytes Cary Manor.
We’ve been looking into getting a National Trust membership this year, so many places to visit
Sounds like a great day! Pretty flowers, chocolate and cake! What else could you need?! xxx
That Easter hunt looks like so much fun and Cary Manor looks really nice.
We have made the most of our NT membership too, this looks a great place and one we woudl happily visit sometime. Mich x
Looks like you had a lot of fun! The idea of the Easter Egg Trail sounds so interesting!
Sounds like the perfect easter egg hunt! Glad you had a lovely day out x
Sounds like you all had a great time. I would try the Easter Egg hunt with the kids next year.
This sounds like a day we would love a family. such a beautiful setting and if it involves fun and chocolate im there x
I think even I would love this, it has been so long since ive done an Easter Egg hunt x
i would love to visit the Lytes cary manor when i visit somerset, looks great!