Recommendations for National Trust properties to visit.

I'm assuming you have joined the National Trust for Scotland, but your membership card will work in England and Wales too, also Italy if and when you eventually go there.
The England/Wales/N.Ireland NT handbook is well worth spending a tenner on. It gives details of all its properties, and you can get more information online too.
You do have to book online your time to visit but it's still free and no problem giving your NTS membership number.

GardenofEngland if you’re doing Holy Island don’t forget that the Farne Islands are NT too, and they’re well worth the boat trip when they open them again.

Not NT but I love Blackwell House near Windermere. It’s a beautiful Arts and Crafts house. ( gorgeous cafe and gift shop too!)

I love this thread, we have just joined and our first visit was to Sissinghurst in Kent. We are starting local but planning a bus trip to Lamb House, Rye next week. Gotta make use of my newly acquired bus pass. Will make a note of all your choices as we are doing a round UK trip from Kent to Holy Island the beginning of July.

Dunham Massey and Quarry Bank Mill. An interesting visit and a chance to see a mill from the past.

Killerton and Knightshayes in Devon and Dunster Castle in Minehead Somerset (All beautiful) Castle Drogo and Lahyndrock as others have mentioned plus Stourhead in Wiltshire which had stunning grounds best visited on a sunny day.

Don’t forget outdoor NT places - Cardingmill Valley in Shropshire, but it gets busy on sunny weekends and Wenlock Edge to name but two.

Janetashbolt

I loved the gardens of Osborne House, Isle of Wight but very underwhelmed by the house

I loved Osbourne House. Was talking about it the other day and especially about the fabulous portrait of Queen Victoria’s Indian manservant.

Just thought of another favourite, Castle Drogo in Devon, think it’s on Dartmoor.
Fabulous place, with modern comforts. Designed by Lutyens for the owner of the Home and Colonial chain of food shops.
I loved it and wanted to move in. Unlike lots of big stately homes it feels cosy.

Just remembered, Snowshill Manor in the Cotswolds. Crammed full of the stuff collected by Charles Wade who lived there. Each room has a theme, clocks in one, toys another, even Japanese warrior uniforms in another, just fascinating. It’s quite small, with lovely gardens too, a must and just up the road is a beautiful lavender farm with a shop selling lavender products.

Ro60

Wightwick Manor nr. Wolverhampton is one of my favourites - Arts & Crafts period. Difficult to get there from the South but so with it.
Another Midlands one - Charlcotte Park near Stratford on Avon.

That’s one if my favourites too. I could actually imagine living there, unlike many other NT properties which are too grand.
I live very close to Charlecote Park so tend not to visit. I loved the back to backs in Birmingham too and the cave houses in the hills somewhere in Staffordshire I think.

If you like science then you must out Woolsthorpe Manor on your list. It was the home of Sir Isaac Newton and is packed with fascinating information.

Oh yes Blinko. The Back to Backs are very interesting. Someone in my family is a guide there. Sturdy shoes and ability to negotiate narrow stairs required!

Oh yes! Cragside and Wightwick Manor!
We love near Fountains Abbey, beautiful landscape and walks, lovely cafes and food, level smooth paths for buggies and wheelchairs if needed. The trees are magnificent and is worth a visit at any time of the year

I agree about Chartwell. You’ll be spoilt for choice in Kent!

ginny

So many beautiful and interesting properties and gardens.
However if you find yourself in N . Wales, Penrhyn Castle is not to be missed. Took my breath away when we entered, not what I expected at all.

Bodnant Gardens (near Llanrwst, Wales) is stunning. There is a house but it is not open to the public.

Stourhead in Wiltshire, lovely gardens to walk around dotted with temples, lake and woodland. Also has a house, church and a good pub.

Best Buy a National Trust Handbook and a Scottish National Trust Handbook. You will get the handbook free with membership card depending on which membership you choose. Each membership gets you with countries properties. Scottish NT membership is cheaper.

In addition to the West Midlands locations recommended by JaneJudge, can I recommend the Birmingham Back to Backs and on our rural west side, the Rock Houses at Kinver. The West Midlands is worth a visit on it's own, as we are happily surrounded by NT houses and property.

I forgot to put Hardwick Hall,one of my favourites.Beautiful gardens,and the Hall tells the story of the amazing Bess of Hardwick,a powerful woman ahead of her time.

Dunham Massey in Altrincham is beautiful too. There is a heard of deer that roam all around the grounds and it’s lovely to see.

If you'll be in Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire area,we have a good choice.There is beautiful Kedleston Hall and Belton House.We have Calke Abbey,which has been left in a neglected state,but well worth seeing,the grounds are beautiful.There is Mr Straw's house,a semi detached house in a time warp.We have beautiful Clumber Park and its walled garden.There is Sudbury Hall and the Museum of Childhood.We also have the unique Southwell Workhouse.So many properties, and all different, but so interesting.

Thank you all. ?

If you venture as far as Suffolk can highly recommend Sutton Hoo and Ickworth House both well worth a visit

Both IN North East.