There are some places that just feel special – that beguile and surprise in equal measure. Melford Hall is one of them.
Melford Hall is a beautiful red-brick manor house in Suffolk that overlooks a pretty village green. We arrived – four slightly car-weary travellers – and were transported into a different world.
And that’s exactly what you want from a National Trust property, isn’t it? To be somewhere new – or old. A gentler, prettier, enchanting place. That’s what keeps me interested in properties like this, year after year. I’m an incurable romantic.
A friendly home, not a hushed museum
Much of what you see at Melford Hall today dates from the Tudor period, and the architecture is a wonderful combination of tastes and styles. Its chequered history has left its mark too – most notably the damage inflicted by a devastating fire in 1942.
What was particularly special is that this history never made it feel in any way stuffy, or museum-like. The Hyde-Parker family still live here – and you could tell. It felt like being invited into a friendly home, not a hushed museum. Children were particularly welcome.
You may have noticed many National Trust properties becoming more relaxed these days. There are deckchairs, croquet sets and other traditional games. Melford Hall is a fine example of this more informal approach.
Inside, the children discovered a nursery full of toys. No roped off areas here – they were encouraged to step into the room, to touch and play with the toys. Centre stage was a beautiful rocking horse – a replica of a treasured family heirloom. My horse-obsessed youngest son was thrilled to be allowed to ride on it – which he did, for quite a long time. My eldest, meanwhile, found a comfortable corner to sit and read a Beatrix Potter book.
Ah yes, Beatrix Potter. There’s a family connection. She stayed at Melford Hall several times – and in the nursery, safely behind glass, there’s the original Jemima Puddleduck toy. It’s all just as appealing to modern children as it ever was. My two were well and truly smitten.
Gilded four-poster beds and fine paintings are fascinating in their way, but what really draws me in is seeing something I can make a tangible connection with – something with echoes of our modern lives.
I often find this in the less formal areas of a house, such as the kitchen or the servants’ quarters. But here, it was right in the middle of the grand house: a rather unassuming bathroom.
It was very much like the bathroom (now long gone) that we inherited when we moved into our current house – if perhaps on a rather larger scale. The resemblance was uncanny – the sink was almost identical and the old lino floor had the same slightly fusty smell I remember so well!
Back outside – and another lovely idea: you can help yourself to a Beatrix Potter-inspired play sack, complete with picnic blanket. Jeremy Fisher and Peter Rabbit joined us for lunch.
After exploring the secret corners of the gardens, we rounded the afternoon off with tea and cake on the lawn by the house – another delightfully informal touch. The boys lolled in deckchairs, and we tested the croquet set. National Trust cake rarely disappoints, and this was no exception!
So there you have it: the anatomy of a perfect National Trust property. Friendliness, imagination and just the right level of familiarity – served with the all-important tea and cake.
My other National Trust family favourites are Oxburgh Hall and Kedleston Hall. Which are yours?
How absolutely lovely – especially the things put out for everyone to use and return. That restored my faith in human nature! The perfect NT property, indeed. XXXXX
That almost made me want to jump in the car with the kids and do the 4-5 hour drive to Suffolk! Loved the picnic idea so much, and the nursery, and of course your dress (having to remind myself that envy is a sin!). Our favourite properties at the moment are Lyme Park (where the Pride & Prejudice tv series had Darcy live), Tatton Park and Dunham Massey. I think they’re all north Cheshire properties and I’ve certainly written about quite a few of our favourites on the blog. I think I have the same reverence for the National Trust & it’s wonderfulness as I do for other British treasures like John Lewis, Liberties, National Parks, etc! And it’s also quite possible that I am officially Middle Aged before my time! (Unless middle aged starts in your mid thirties, in which case I’m exactly as old as I feel!)
I think we’re very similar! And don’t worry, I was basically middle aged when I was about sixteen. If you’re interested the dress is from Cath Kidston and was a complete bargain in their Winter sale. I had to wait six months to wear it, but it was worth it. x
Wow, this place looks amazing. I love that children are encouraged to play, such a great learning experience for them! The picnic bags were what won it over for me though, so a lovely idea!! Off to find out how to get their…
Becky xx
*There!!
Thanks Becky! We will definitely be going back there this summer, it was such a hidden gem x
Aaah Lizzie this place looks AMAZING!!!! I’m so looking forward to the boys not having their buggy and being able to explore all these lovely NT properties! We’ve been to a couple but some of them have lots of steps — or you’re unable to take such a big buggy round — and the boys weren’t able to walk very far. Such a lot of exciting things to look forward to! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday — hope to see you again next week! x
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Wow, looks lovely! We love discovering new National Trust places to visit and haven’t been to any in Suffolk – will add it to the list of places to visit! Thanks for sharing! x
Melford is such a hidden gem – we’d love to go back sometime soon!
Well done the National Trust, yet another House and Gardens they have managed to make family friendly and inviting. I love the picnic basket idea and like you it is all the kitchens and bathrooms and servants quarters that appeal to me most in the houses, or funny bits of history that clearly shape our modern day lives. It looks like a wonderfully dreamy day you spent there with plenty of places to relax and for children to play without worrying about them. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona. The NT are doing so well at the moment – we felt so welcome here and it was great day 🙂