I visited Cliveden House in mid-March and then again in mid-April; it is one of the closest National Trust properties for me to visit, but I have steered clear of traveling or getting out much at all in the lockdown. However, I was having some serious lockdown blues and lockdown fatigue, so I needed to get out properly for the first time since November. Cliveden House is one of National Trust's most popular properties. The house itself is not part of the National Trust, and you can only visit it if you are staying or dining there. The property belonged to the Astor family and dates from the mid-1800s. It became a popular destination of politicians and other celebrities in the 1920s, and it was given to the National Trust in the 1940s. It was also a place of scandal in the 1960s and the location where Meghan Markle stayed with her mother before her wedding to Prince Harry.
I wandered around the Water Gardens first. They were closed due to social distancing, but visitors could walk around them. I was happy to see the fountain running and some beautiful pink flowers out in bloom.
I also walked through some of the more formal gardens, Long Garden. It has been planted with spring flowers, but these were not yet out in bloom in March. They were in bloom in mid-April on my second visit.
I did, however, see a pheasant in the garden that watched me.
Daffodils were everywhere at Cliveden House in the grounds and looked beautiful along with the wide views beyond. Since the trees are only just starting to bud, there is a clear view of the surrounding land below.
Spring is a beautiful time of year, particularly when the sun is out and the daffodils are in bloom. Daffodils always bring me joy. I loved them when I was very small, and they are my favourite spring flower.
I enjoyed admiring the daffodils here at Cliveden House. The sun was shining off and on during my afternoon visit, and I enjoyed being able to get out to explore nature and have a quieter walk. Notably, Cliveden House gardens and grounds were far less populated than the small amount of park land in my local area that everyone in the community has to share. I am not sure if the formal gardens will be planted for the summer, but I do hope they are planted and maintained. Last year, they were left to idle and were unattended with weeds. I have really missed the National Trust gardens and houses/museums.
More posts in this blog about Cliveden House can be seen below:
A Visit to Cliveden (National Trust): Lockdown Edition
A Visit to Cliveden House (Buckinghamshire, England)
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