Coughton Court and Packwood House

On the way south to Worcestershire, we stopped once, at Baddesley Clinton. On the way back to Derby we pulled in two National Trust visits - first at Coughton Court, then at Packwood House; both involving a little snack at the tea rooms.

We visited Coughton Court last year and accidentally caught the wisteria in full bloom. This time we were too early, and the trees very much still in the 'bare bones' stage.

The gardens still had good places to sit and relax after being in the car, and I ambled along from one seat to another, till we reached the orchard.

Some trees, damsons mainly, were coming into blossom along the south-facing wall but the main attraction was bulbs flowering beneath the trees.

From here we continued past the (second) church returning to the house via the riverside walk. 

 Back in the car then and onward the relatively short distance to Packwood House.

Again the visit started with a snack. this time including the NT scone of the month lemon and white chocolate with clotted cream.

I thought this was a property I'd previously visited, but I had no recollection of it at all! 

 

The topiary garden was temporarily closed and main gardens by the house were still  in that slightly sluggish early spring mood. At the back of the house though, we were met with a marvelous display of daffodils, flanking the path down towards the lake. 

I'm not sure that I've seen so many daffodils anywhere!

Paths led backwards and forwards among them but we headed straight on as I wasn't sure how far the path around the lake would be.

As it turned out. not as far as I'd feared.

Packwood definitely looks like a garden to re-visit in summer, and perhaps (if I were feeling really fit) to attempt the walk to Baddesley Clinton, which isn't that far away.