Claydon House & Gardens

We visited Claydon Gardens back in 2019 and I never added it to the blog.  At the time the gardens were free to Historic Houses members as still owned by the family, and the house to open to National Trust members. 

I can't see if the gardens are open at all to the public now, and wondering if this is due to Covid, and maybe next year it will be back open.

The Courtyard, which has a number of shops/galleries, a cafe and a couple of carriage exhibits (including Florence Nightingale's from 1855), has no entrance fee.

We visited the Gardens and the Courtyard. The gardens are not large, but are reasonably attractive, particularly the walled gardens. As well as the flower beds, there is a kitchen garden growing vegetables, a Florence Nightingale Centenary garden, a small orchard, a couple of ponds and a grass maze. There is also a lake near the car park, which is not really part of the gardens. The gardens were quite colourful and appeared to be well maintained. There are plenty of seats dotted around the gardens.

The cafe offered drinks, light snacks and cakes. There is a limited choice of sandwiches but they are tasty enough. There is plenty of seating, including some outside. 

The courtyard is home to artists and crafts, some offering courses.  It was a nice trip out and was about a 40 min drive away.

The car park is close to both the House and gardens. There are toilets in the courtyard and by the side of the house.

We spent about 2 hours wandering around, including a short stop for lunch.