At Christmas time, Mr P and I bought a National Trust family membership instead of buying presents for each other. Well, actually, we said we’d do this, but we haven’t got around to actually buying it yet. We will, though! And I’m fully aware this makes me sound like an actual middle-aged person but there is something so NICE about National Trust properties. Beautiful scenery, impressive buildings, amazing history, and often fun activities for kids too. I get a strange sense of calm when I visit one.
Last week, Mr P and I took a cheeky couple of hours out of our day (I really should have been working…) to visit Morden Hall Park. Free to get in, it has a fab little cafe, a garden centre, an artist’s studio/gallery, a rose garden, a stable yard, a beautiful white bridge and loads more interesting little nooks and crannies.
We started off having lunch (soup and a sandwich) in the Potting Shed cafe and then wandered around, enjoying the sunshine.
I was wearing my Joules National Trust collection Windermere coat – part of a country-inspired range and PERFECT for a chilly spring day out in the park – waterproof, cosy and covers the bum so you can sit on cold logs or rocks, in comfort. The lining of the coat – as well as other items like the silk scarf, wellies and brolly – has a gorgeous floral design. Joanna, the designer behind the print, explains, “I was really inspired by the incredible English heritage behind the National Trust. History and nature are rich and vibrant aspects of the National Trust and the work they do, so I used this to influence my design. I began by referencing old botanical encyclopaedias I found in the British Library, where botanists would paint intricate detailed studies of plants and flowers. This subject inspired me when I studied Fashion Design at University, and I was eager to take this forward into the National Trust print.” Isn’t it gorgeous?
Bloomfield silk scarf, £34.95, Joules
Windermere coat, £129, Joules
Luckily, it was such a gorgeous sunny day, I didn’t need my wellies or brolly. And I looked totally normal popping my brolly up, in the glorious sunshine – no passers by thought I was weird at all (honest!). The bright green wellies with the floral print are just begging to be taken to a festival like Camp Bestival, this summer. A percentage of the sales of the Joules x National Trust collection goes to the National Trust, which is great because they look after, and preserve, so many historic houses, gardens, mills, coastline, forests and parks, like Morden Hall Park, looking after nature and wildlife, maintaining their land as an environment that supports a rich diversity of life.
Mid-height green wellies, £36.95, Joules
French navy garden umbrella, £19.95, Joules
The park was lovely and quiet on the day we went – just a handful of parents with toddlers and retired couples pottering around. It made me think we should do that more often – just take a couple of hours out of a random day and wander around a National Trust property.
After a while, we realised we were getting chilly and a bit hungry, so we headed back to the Potting Shed cafe for a cuppa and a cream tea. Perfect way to end the afternoon!
• Big thanks to Joules for sending me their National Trust products – we had such a fab day at Morden Hall Park!
Looks like you had a great time. Also, you look amazing! X
I have to say I love the current Joules range and how cute are those green wellies!! This place looks fab btw the way – great day out
Laura x
Ah love Morden Hall, awesome South London memories. And you are dressed like an Iris – the perfect flower for a spring day! Lovely coat, well done Joules
MORDEN HALL PARK!!! I have spent many a happy day there! I used to live at Merton Abbey Mills and would always take Dexter on big long walks there! Aww, you’ve got me all nostaligic! xx
Ohhh Morden Hall is on my list of places to visit this year! Love the name of the cafe!
You look fab in the Windermere coat! I’m living this range and I was actually in Windermere in the feb half term (I’m originally from the north, my parents are only half an hour from the lake) the Windermere (bowness) Joules store is my favourite! – I always pop in!
Emma x
I am an OAP in training and LOVE going to stately homes and RHS gardens! I like that Joules has taken inspiration from the national trust and that botanical flower print is lovely! Looks like you had a nice day too xx
It looks like a lovely place to visit, and I too love a day out at a National Trust place!
Gorgeous photos. Our National Trust passes were the best things we’ve ever bought! We do always laugh about times have changed when we get them out though, our 16 year old selves would have never believed it! x
oh i used to love going to places like this! don’t often get the chance these days but i love seeing photos! how cute are those wellies?
We’ve been members of the National Trust for years now it’s the best money we’ve ever spent! I’m a big fan of Joules anyway but this latest collection really is gorgeous you lucky thing! x
I love that botanical print, gorgeous. Looks like you had a good few hours 🙂 I too get a National Trust membership every year, but we haven’t managed to make it across to a property for some time, such is the life of a weekend worker! x
We’ve been national trust members for a few years now and I love them! I always find them the perfect place to go when you just need to escape city life! (The creams teas are always so good too!)
you look ace! love that blue and yellow together. I love Joules for cheery bright and they are always so well made x
It looks like a lovely afternoon out! I love the posing and those green wellies are amazing! Lovely selfie at the end of the two of you too. x
Loving the coat hun! It’s like a Mum coat but actually nice! We had a National Trust Pass last year and they really are lovely especially at this time of year when it’s all spring and gorge xxx
We love Morden hall park, just down the road from us. And check you out- you look FAB! You better be in Joules’ next look book!!
I love National Trust sites but I rarely get to go out and about to places like this because I can’t drive. I’m hoping once the weather picks up we can have a few daytrips by train.
That coat is awesome. I just went and had a look at the rest of the collection – I love the gilet. Joules is always so pretty. I need some new rainy day gear- I might have to treat myself.
They looks fantastic, i’m a bit in love with the wellies!
It looks like you had a gorgeous day out, love your yellow and blue outfit, so Spring-like. Love Joules too x
National Trust sites truly are beautiful aren’t they! Looks like you had a lovely day, although a shame you didn’t get to rock those beautiful wellies!
It’s not a place I’ve heard of before but certainly looks a great NT place to go, and free to boot, doesn’t get much better.
I love the look of that water wheel, old workings like that are really fascinating.
Love a bit of Joules and I embraced the old NT membership last year after umming and erring about how many more exciting things we could spend the money on – we were wrong – so many beautiful places discovered and always a back-up for us of a weekend when plans run dry…. x
Love a bit of Joules and I embraced the old NT membership last year after umming and erring about how many more exciting things we could spend the money on – we were wrong – so many beautiful places discovered and always a back-up for us of a weekend when plans run dry…. x
Oh this is just a few miles from our house, so we go there a fair bit – it’s such a beautiful park! My parents got us NT membership for Christmas and can I just say… BEST PRESENT EVER!! Great photos, love the posing too xx
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