A Solo Outing to Nostell Priory

a day mini adventure

I've been to Nostell Priory many times before. In 2023, it was my most visited place, either solo or with friends. Having been so many times, I thought I knew it like the back of my hand. This trip made me see that I didn't, and I've more to experience in the future.

Nostell Priory is a National Trust location. It has a decent enough car park, but it has been so busy that a grass area has been used as an overflow car park. There is a parking meter in place: £5 all day or members free. It is a short walk to the main house and courtyard, which leads to the gardens. There are multiple points to start walks in the parklands, with at least one starting at the car park.

The house and gardens have an entrance fee. These can be bought together or individually, depending on your preference for the day. The parklands don't have any added cost, other than the car parking charge. From the courtyard area, there is the ticket office, toilets, cafe, shop, entrance to the gardens, second-hand bookshop, and takeaway cafe. The latter two weren't open on my visit this time round.

House

It has been several years since I last went into the house—that long since I can't remember what it was like. Visiting it today was like going into it for the first time. There were changes that I knew of. The exit is different, and there are lockers to put big bags in unless you'd like to wear the bag on your front, which I did on this occasion.

I happened to time my visit to the house well, going there first, more so I didn't muddy my shoes from walking around the parklands. But with the weather, too. It appeared to have rained while I was in the house, but thankfully, it held off the rest of my time walking outside on the grounds.

It was interesting seeing the contents and displays of the house. There was a focus on Sabine Wills. It was a sad story. I love the knowledge and excitement the volunteers have as you walk around. I was very thankful to Roger, who gave me an account of Sabine's life and broken relationships. I was in the house for approximately an hour. For me, that is very good. I purposely made the effort to read and take in all the displays. There are quite a few rooms on both floors on show.

The house was very interesting, but I don't think I would visit it every time. I would visit once every few years to see new exhibitions. But like last year, I would like to visit often to experience the gardens and the parklands.

Gardens

After the house and a trip to the loo, I headed to the gardens. There is a formal garden, a playground, and lakeside walks. I had a look at the formal gardens. They have been re-planted. The lines looked very neat, and there wasn't much colour this time. But when everything is in bloom, it is beautiful.

The trust has been doing maintenance since my last visit. A new pathway bypassing the playground leads to the lakeside, and quite a few of the other pathways have been improved as well. I made my way to the lakeside walk, taking in the daffodils and saying hi to the pheasant and goose.

Partway, I stopped on one of the benches beneath the trees to have my lunch. I bought a packed lunch and a book to read. This trip book of choice was ‘How to Start a Riot in a Brothel in Thailand by Ordering a Beer and Other Lesser Known Travel Tips’ by Yeats. It may be a mouthful of a title, but it is a good book.

After approximately thirty minutes, I started walking again. There were some pathways that I could have taken to make it a little longer or shorter. It's easy to create the walk you'd like. There was a new sign this time regarding silent space, and I liked the sound of it. I did a minute pause to hear what was around me. But another time, I'd like to sit there for lunch and meditate more.

Parklands

I wasn't ready to go home yet, so I went to the parklands. Again, there are a few trail options depending on the length of the walk you would like. The parklands are accessible with dogs on a lead. There are times when cattle are grazing in a few areas. Today, I took the direct route up to the Obelisk, which has a hard pathway.

Then, I braved the grass route around the edge on my way back down. I got slightly muddy. I noticed on this trail that there were signs on the benches. These appeared to be part of a wellness trail with activities to help be in the moment and slow down. This is new to me. There are more benches I didn't go past, which might have the signs on. It is a walk that I would like to try in a future visit. Once I'd done part of the Obelisk park area, I made my way across the field trails and back to the car park.

This outing took four and a half hours, including travel. I could have been there longer if I had taken a longer trail. As I don't do the house each time I go, I might still do this amount of time with the longer walks in the garden and parklands.

Do you have a local place you like to go? Do you have a recommendation on where to visit?

With Love

Tami xx