We discovered Anglesey Abbey after looking for a perfectly placed pit-stop to break up our journey between Wiltshire and Norfolk. This National Trust property in Cambridgeshire is just outside of Cambridge, close to junction 35 of the A14, so very easy to get to by road. We added only 10 minutes driving time on to our usual 4 hour route, so it was spot on!
A Free Day Out?
For us, yes! We are always checking Money Saving Expert’s weekly newsletters for deals as they periodically share information on how to get free family day passes to most National Trust sites in the UK. In the last 6 months alone, we have visited 5 different destinations without paying for tickets, and this is one of the best. What makes it even better is its one of the few sites that even offer plenty of FREE PARKING! We took our own snacks and drinks as we were visiting outside of typical meal times, and all we paid for was one souvenir fridge magnet!
An Amazing Abbey
Upon entering the abbey, we were greeted by one of the many volunteers who gave us a brief and fascinating overview of the history of the building, its former inhabitants, the collection of items displayed in the home and the all-important route to take to see it all. He was sure to involve Teddy in the story telling to keep his interest, the narrative was succinct and he also pointed out the butterfly scavenger hunt that was all around the house, again to keep the children interested on their journey through the abbey.
Lode Mill
Never one to pass up a great learning opportunity, we made sure to take a peek inside the water mill. Here you can really get a sense of how corn was milled years ago, and see exactly how these feats of engineering were constructed. Whilst it wasn’t turning when we visited, the mill is in the process of being restored so that it may turn once more, so keep an eye out for it on your next visit.
Fit For Families
Absolutely! If you are lucky enough to visit on a dry day, the gardens are the perfect place for a picnic. There’s so much space to run free, landscaped areas, woodland areas, a rose garden, open stretches of lawn… and the jewel in the crown is the woodland play area! Now its worth noting that this is at the back of the gardens, not conveniently located by the visitor centre and toilets, but there is a pop-up cafe during peak times serving hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks.
Visit During The Holidays
My top tip for those wanting to visit with young children is to go during a school holiday. Many of the National Trust sites add extra themed activities to encourage families to spend more time exploring, including scavenger hunts in the main building and outdoor games in the surrounding grounds. When we visited Anglesey Abbey and Gardens this May half term, it was themed around the Kate Petty (author) and Axel Scheffler (illustrator) story “Ben Plants A Butterfly Garden“. This proved a huge hit with everyone we encountered on the day, made for some lovely learning opportunities and a few cute photos too. Check the official Anglesey Abbey National Trust website here to see what their latest event themes are.
In Summary
One of the most impressive National Trust UK properties we have visited (and we’ve visited quite a few), the vast collection of artefacts and expansive grounds make for a wonderful day out for the whole family. Be sure to take your children during the school holidays for added fun and frolics without any extra cost!
Useful Links
Anglesey Abbey National Trust: nationaltrust.org.uk
Money Saving Expert: moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-days-out/
If you like this article, check out some of our other UK posts here.
Have you been to Anglesey Abbey & Gardens? What was your favourite part of the garden? Let us know in the comments – we love hearing from you!
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Our Whimsical World 