A Socially Distanced trip to National Trust Baddesley Clinton

After 13 weeks, we yesterday made our first real trip out in 13 weeks – a socially distanced visit to our local National Trust – Baddesley Clinton. It was such a lovely day and just what the doctor ordered. I thought I would share my experience for any one who is considering going, but whom like me may be a little bit nervous about venturing out for the first time!

13 weeks at home is a very long time. If I’d have asked the 2019 me how I would feel at the prospect of even an entire 6 weeks holiday at home with the girls I’d have gulped a little at the prospect, but now, somehow, the 2020 me along with huge numbers of parents across the world have coped with an entire 3 months at home! 3 months of no holidays, no day trips and no grandparents. It’s been quite the journey!

As someone who has health anxiety, the prospect of the world slowly starting to reopen is a little daunting, and as much as I want life to return back to ‘normal’ I am also a little bit scared. My Dad is still shielding, the effects of the loosened lockdown are yet to fully be seen and I’m nervous about a second wave. For that reason, as much as I am desperate to get out and about, I wanted to stick to outdoors venues; places where I could breathe in some fresh air, explore with the girls and get my dose of floral medicine, whilst at the same time maintaining social distancing.

When I heard that National Trust were opening their gardens again but on a ticketed basis I was really relieved. We have been National Trust members for many years now, and ever since Erin was little, we have visited most Mondays to either Packwood House or Baddesley Clinton (our local venues). When lockdown was first announced and National Trust decided to keep their gardens open (albeit briefly) I knew it was a bad idea. I’d seen the carparks during the weekends and summer holidays and there was just no way any sensible social distancing could be maintained; particularly when the sites were temporarily free to access. Needless to say, the decision was soon reversed, and National Trust gardens had remained out of bounds for the remainder of lockdown.

Social Distancing at the National Trust

The good news is many National Trust sites across the UK are now reopening, Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton included. You can see the full list of open sites on their website. Access is via pre booked tickets only; so its important to note that you can’t just turn up even if you are a member. The National Trust tickets are released every Friday for the following week and they tend to go fairly quickly, particularly when the weather forecast is expected to be good. For that reason you may want to logon in the early hours to give yourself the best chance of getting a ticket – I managed to book mine at around 5am but I believe they are released at midnight. Tickets for members are free (but you still need to book them) and input your National Trust membership number. For non members, each ticket is £5, and all children over the age of 5 need to have a ticket.

The National Trust socially distanced time slots are half an hour in duration and you must arrive during that time but can then stay as long as you like. Understandably, if you arrive more than 10 minutes late for this slot they can’t guarantee entry.

Our Socially Distanced experience at Baddesley Clinton

We had booked in to visit Baddesley Clinton at 11.30am and were so so lucky with the weather – the sun was shining and the girls literally couldn’t wait to get their summer dresses on! I was a little apprehensive about what to expect, having not left the house apart from my daily exercise, but had packed a picnic, popping some hand gel and dettol wipes in my bag just in case!

Upon arrival, there is a gazebo just before the entrance to the car park, where we were asked to give our name. The signs ask that you do not open your window to speak to the host; but simply say your name through the glass and he checks you off upon a list. We were then able to drive on into the car park.

It very quickly became apparent that the paths are roped off and marked clearly with a one way system, so you don’t have to worry about people coming back in the same direction as you were walking and this worked really well.

Once we were ready to go in, we then walked up to another gazebo where again a lady checked our names off a list, and then we could walk through the the main courtyard.

The One Way System at Baddesley Clinton

Clearly a LOT of thought has gone into social distancing at the National Trust with a one way system throughout. The beginning part of our visit to Baddesley Clinton was a little surreal, as the huge courtyard and outdoor cafe area that is normally bustling and full of life was completely empty, the tables and chairs stacked away and a path roped off all the way around the outside.

It was a really strange sight and made me weirdly a little emotional, feeling a little sad thinking about some of the lovely lunches we’ve had here with friends, but the paths were clearly marked and we were directed where to go by little “this way” signs at every turn. The cafe is currently closed, but the toilets are open, with markers on the floor to encourage people to socially distance should they need to queue. I did see a couple of people waiting, but by no means was there a long line of people.

Upon entering the courtyard / walled garden, I was met with the sight of some absolutely gorgeous bright, colourful flowers and this felt much more like the Baddesley Clinton we had all been missing. There were small groups of people sat on the grass under the shade of the trees, but all were spaced out well and socially distancing appropriately.

Clearly a LOT of thought has been put into health, safety and social distancing at National Trust Baddesley Clinton, with some any benches that would make social distancing difficult for those passing had been blocked off or covered in large logs to prevent people sitting down.

Some of the other areas such as the outhouses and turrets have been roped off too, but with all the beautiful flowers to look at; some of which I had never seen before; this didn’t detract from the experience at all.

A lot of the vegetable garden was blocked off with strategically placed benches, usually where the path was a little on the narrow side, but it was lovely to see some of the huge plants that were taking shape including some pretty giant onions!

The girls always enjoy the woodland walk around the lake at Baddesley Clinton, particularly navigating across all the bridges (which of course have trolls hiding underneath) and so we headed there next. Again the route had been blocked off in parts with signs navigating which direction to go in.

There were two different paths to take; one of which was shorter than the other; giving people the choice of how far they wanted to go. We took the longer path, and even with my youngest, this duration was absolutely fine. The lake is covered in water lilies and the dappled sun created some awesome patterns on the woodland floor.

A true test to my home schooling abilities, Neve asked me why they’d built a house in the water, leading me to explain about moats and what they were used for; and raising a few laughs from a couple walking a good few metres behind us. I think I just about passed the general knowledge test!

We walked past Baddesley’s moated manor to the main field, and it was reassuring to see a little sign saying that the children were free to run around.

Like many other families, we had taken along our picnic blanket, and there were probably about 5 other families at this point sat on the grass, but again all staying away from each other in their own little bubbles.

The kiosk at Baddesley Clinton was open serving drinks and ice cream (by where they normally sell second hand books) but we didn’t venture over having bought our own food along.

We spent the remainder of our visit back in the walled gardens, as the girls wanted to ‘relax’ and I definitely wasn’t going to complain! Neve did some colouring in and Erin read a bit of The Queen’s Nose (classic) and then went round snapping some pics of flowers on my phone. As you can see there were other people around – the pics can be a bit deceiving, but these people were at least 3 metres apart.

Had I not been going back to work, I could have honestly stayed at Baddesley Clinton in the sunshine for hours. There was something really lovely about seeing lots of little groups of people under the trees and just sitting relaxing. Hearing the background chatter of other people was a really heart warming thing after so long at home.

At the time of writing, the walk across the field is open, but playground area at Baddesley Clinton and music wall etc is closed for safety reasons. This may change in coming weeks following the recent announcements.

Would I recommend?

100%. It is clear to see how much time, effort and thought has gone in to making this (hopefully temporary) new normal at Baddesley Clinton work, and I came home feeling so happy and relaxed. Baddesley, as always looks so beautiful and the gardens and good for the soul!