When we visited Cliveden the other week, we vowed to return in the sunshine and duly did so at the weekend - on the hottest MayDay Bank Holiday ever.
The first surprise should not have been a surprise - there were loads of cars in the car park and queing, but moved quickly to parking spot in one their outter fields.
Walked through to main part of grounds, with intention of getting to the riverside walk alongside the Thames.
Having studied the map ahead of this visit, I knew that if we passed the Fountain of Love and headed on a short distance we would reach the Long Garden. We were not prepared for the awesome sight that greeted us when we walked into the entrance to this. A wonderfully kept Garden, with masses of pink, white and crimson flowers in flower beds between nicely kept box hedges. There were also several well trimmed topiaries and several statues. A magical garden !!
We walked along this path and exited via a gate at far end and soon found the path that leads to the riverside. It went down a series of steps through woodland and then we reached the Thames. The riverside walk is fabulous on a hot and sunny day, as the path is mainly under shade of trees and there was a gentle breeze. Many people had chosen to sit along the grass areas and enjoy their picnic, while there were also many who had decide to hire boats and take a trip along the Thames.
We walked quite a way and then decided to take one of the stepped routes back up through woods - this was quite a steep ascent, up a twisting stepped path. At the top we found ourselves at Dukes Seat, from which we were rewarded with a view of the House at Cliveden, neatly framed by foreground trees.
We walked for a total of two and half hours and enjoyed our visit- but I think you really need a whole day to get the most out of this amazing National Trust property, as there is so much to see and such variety.