For all the family! (Wakehurst Place)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	Wakehurst Place
Date:	17/08/09 (109 review reads)
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I have recently returned from a week long trip to Sussex to visit relatives. During our stay we visited several National trust properties and estates so thought I would share my experiences with you. The first place we visited was Wakehurst place, situated in beautiful countryside near to Haywards Heath.

Getting there.
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I am not going to give you detailed direction as you can of course get these from the Internet or simply by reading a map! However it is possible to visit using public transport. There is a bus from Haywards Heath where there is also a train station. Haywards Heath is about 6 miles from Wakehurst.

We traveled by car via Haywards Heath. Be aware that this is a busy area especially during the morning and evening rush hour! Wakehurst place is situated on the B2028 1 mile north of Ardingly. Wakehurst place is on a national cycle route if you are feeling energetic!

Once through Haywards Heath Wakehurst is well signposted.

Parking.
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Parking is free and there are lots of spaces. There are also designated spaces for disabled drivers close to the entrance.

Admission charges and opening times.
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Wakehurst place is open all year expect for Christmas day, Boxing Day and new years day. During the summer months it is open from 10 am until 6 pm. For winter opening times visit the national trust web site.

We are members of the National Trust so entry was free. However if you are not members it will cost you £10 per adult. Children under 16 are admitted free of charge.

What is there to see and do?
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Wakehurst place has something for everyone. The estate is extensive and dates back to Norman times. There is an Elizabethan mansion,300 acres of grounds with the Loder valley nature reserve, wetlands, and the important millennium seed bank. I intend to give a taste of the highlights and hope it will help you get the most out of a visit to Wakehurst.

The visitor centre
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On arrival you will pass through the large visitor centre and shop. There is a lot of walking involved in a visit to Wakehurst and buggies are allowed. It is also possible to loan a wheel chair from the visitor centre. The staff are very helpful and will supply various leaflets if asked. I mention this as not all the leaflets are on display so it is worth asking. A map of the estate is really useful! We also picked up various leaflets for children. There are displays explaining the conservation work that takes place at Wakehurst that are worth taking time to look at.

There are toilets and baby changing facilities in the visitor centre; I was impressed with how clean the toilets were when we visited.

The millennium seed bank.
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I suggest you visit the seed bank at the start of your visit as it is located close to the visitor centre. This is an amazing project and is owned and funded by Kew gardens. Inside you will find state of the art laboratories for research into seed biology. The aim of the seed bank is to collect and conserve seed from 10% of the world's plants by 2010.This is an important project as without the project many of the plants could become extinct with animals that are dependant on them also becoming extinct.

The building that houses the seed bank is a very modern affair with lots of glass. Inside you will find displays and touch screens explaining why the work is so important and how it is carried out. You can also spy on the scientists at work behind the glass windows. My children were fascinated by the work and were certainly made more aware of the importance of conservation.

The grounds and mansion
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The grounds are very extensive covering over 300 acres. There are lots of well signposted paths to explore most of which are suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. If you have mobility problems be aware that there are some quite steep climbs so pick you paths carefully. I suggest you take the path from the seed bank to the Elizabethan mansion.

The mansion dates back to 1205 although the house you see today was completely rebuilt in 1590.The house is not large but is very attractive. William Wakehurst bought the land in 1205 and the house belonged to the Culpepper family until it was left to the National trust in 1963. I understand that there are guided tours of the mansion although on the day we visited the mansion was closed as there was a wedding taking place. I was very disappointed not to have been able to look inside! However I was told that you are not able to go upstairs and that the house and chapel houses various exhibits. I was able to take a peep at the beautiful oak staircase however!

The grounds are simply exquisite .My children particularly enjoyed walking around the lake and feeding the numerous ducks and ducklings. We were fortunate to be given a bag of bread by a kind visitor. If you have children then remember to bring some bread! There are lots of benches around the lake so you can sit and admire the views back toward the mansion.

We also enjoyed walking to the Loder valley reserve. This provides a safe haven for the many plants and animals that have made it there home. There is a kingfisher hide here although we were not lucky enough to see any! This area has a woodland, meadowland and wetland.

There are numerous beautiful trees many with signs telling you what they are. I loved the giant redwood!

Walking around the grounds my children were pleased to spot the wooden noughts and crosses and Jenga games for them to play. This is a really nice child friendly touch!

Refreshments.
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We normally take a picnic when we go out as the cost of eating out is very high! If you bring a picnic then there are dozens of lovely spots to throw down your rug! If you prefer to eat off the ground then you will find lots of benches around the estate. Even on a bust Saturday we found quiet spots to sit! There are lots of tables opposite the entrance to the mansion where you can picnic. I would mention that this area had lots of wasps, so be aware!

As we were with relatives we decided to eat in the stable café next to the mansion. The café is not owned by the Nation trust. The menu looked fairly varied but we were disappointed to find that by 1pm many of the items were no longer available. I choose carrot and bergamot soup priced at £4. The price included bread and butter. My children had wanted a chicken coronation sandwich but this was sold out. They settled for cheese sandwiches in the end priced at £3.50. There are hot meals available but I thought these were very expensive at around £9 for quiche and salad! The café also sells various cakes that all looked very yummy, though we resisted the temptation!

There is another café situated by the visitor centre although this isn't so pleasantly situated.

There are toilets and baby changing facilities in both cafes.

Overall I would highly recommend a visit to Wakehurst place. We spent a whole day here and found plenty for everyone to do and see. I would love to come back in the autumn when the colours must be amazing!

Summary: national trust estate