I know I’ve said it before, but we are lucky to have so many amazing places filled with history on our doorstep. Last Monday was a Bank Holiday so we grabbed our National Trust cards and drove down to Osterley Park and House, near Isleworth in Middlesex. A huge imposing Georgian mansion, dating back to the 1780s and surrounded by the most stunning gardens, it is one of the last surviving country estates in London. We had a quick coffee and snack in the stables tea room and then set off exploring the house and the colourful formal gardens.
It’s funny, both my husband and I can remember being dragged to visiting these places as children and while our own kids may not love all of it (the guided tour of the house springs to mind!) they do enjoy roaming the grounds, playing hide and seek and climbing trees. Hopefully, in years to come these outings will also give them some appreciation of this country’s history and culture that they in turn can share with their own children.
{I love the sweeping staircase}
{A beautiful summer house}
{Jumping high}
{And there goes the next one}
{Every corner of the garden was bursting with colour}
{I seem to have developed an affinity for taking pictures of flowers – unlike the children they stay in one place!}
{Gorgeous tulips}
{I wish I could have brought this flower pot back to my garden}
{A short rest before the next game of hide and seek}
A Spoonful of Style 
Lovely photographs!
Thank you x
This looks like such a beautiful place! I’m adding it my itinerary for my upcoming trip to England!!! Can’t wait.
Ooh when are you going? Yes do try and visit it if you can, such a gorgeous space and not far from London. X
Looks like a fun day!
It was great! Nothing like getting the kids away from the TV and out in the great outdoors. X
Amen sister!!
Beautiful photos! It looks gorgeous there.
Thank you, it is a lovely place. X
I really appreciate the National Heritage buildings, I love taking Baby London to them as well x
Yes they’re great for walking around with babies and children. I bet he’s getting quite big now! X
It is such a beautiful place!
Have you been? It was our first time there and we were really impressed, especially with the gardens. X
Went a month ago for first time too! Beautiful gardens especially the tulips & bluebells x
What fun! Great looking places and your photographs are just superb.
Thank you, that’s so kind. We did have a lovely time. X
How lovely! Those deep purple tulips are stunning, what beautiful spring flora. Cute kids, too 😉
Lindsay,
http://www.fatfreefashion.com
Thank you. Yes those tulips are my favourites. X
Your camera work is terrific! Gorgeous kids, gorgeous landscape 🙂
Thank you so much, that is lovely to hear x
My privilege 🙂 Happy new week!
Doesn’t look like they’re having fun at all 😉 .
I’m convinced these things seep into our blood somehow. There’s a lot of things I don’t remember enjoying at the time but nonetheless feel nostalgic for (and determined to subject my children to) now.
Me too. And I think it’s important that they learn that sometimes there will be (to them) dull moments (like the guided tour of the house) but they are followed by fun, like playing in the garden. It’s all about balance. X