A National Trust Summer

For decades The National Trust has been opening up and sharing the history of some of the most unique heritage sites in Great Britain. With the summer holidays just around the corner, we're shining a spotlight on four regional treasures where we've spent some of our best days out.

The Workhouse

The most complete workhouse in existence, Southwell Workhouse is a living history of some of the poorest people in Victorian Britain. The Workhouse hosts regular events for visitors of all ages, recounting stories of real people who came to the institution. Follow an audio guide and meet inmates as you work your way through the atmospheric rooms and afterwards, take a stroll through the restored vegetable garden.

Clumber Park 

Once the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle, Clumber Park is the most visited attraction in the East Midlands. There are over 120 different types of tree at this wonderful National Trust site, including a two mile avenue of beautiful lime trees, which longest in Europe. Although the mansion was demolished in 1938, many of the original Clumber Park estate features survived, including the Victorian chapel, a Gothic Revival 'mini-cathedral', stable yard, ornate entrance lodges and a one of a kind walled Victorian kitchen garden.

Mr Straws House

Experience the life of a 1920s grocer and his family in the perfectly preserved time capsule that is Mr Straw's House. Number 7, Blyth Grove in Worksop has remained virtually unchanged since the Straws moved here in 1923. Treasured possessions and ordinary domestic items can still be seen exactly where their owners left them and outside, the you'll find a lovingly tended garden and orchard, including a greenhouse housing Walter Straw's cacti collection.

Hardwick Hall

Found just over the border in our neighbouring Derbyshire, Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan country house created by Bess of Hardwick, once the second richest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth. The new Hall was designed purposefully to symbolise Bess' wealth and status and pushed the boundaries of architectural design.  Bess' ward and threat to the throne, Lady Arabella Stuart also resided at Hardwick Hall during her short life. Harwick is now fully open to the public and visitors can decide whether the historic house is a palace fit for a Queen or a prison for a forgotten princess. This August, Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival will be showing screenings of Spectre and Ghost in the fabulous grounds of the building.