Day Out at Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill – National Trust

As we renewed our National Trust membership for another year, we decided to go to Anglesey Abbey in the Easter Holidays.

Anglesey Abbey is a:

Jacobean-style house with gardens and a working watermill

 

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill

Anglesey Abbey is in the village of Lode, about 5 miles northeast of Cambridge. It was formerly a prior and then a country house. As we go from Peterborough, the A14 is currently a nightmare with all the roadworks but it is still relatively easy to get to.

Things to Do and See:

• Lord Fairhaven’s House
• Lode Mill
• Hoe Fen Wildlife Discovery Area
• Gardens

 

Lord Fairhaven’s House

I must admit the houses themselves don’t always interest the girls but I personally enjoy having a look and learning about the history. But it always ends up a pretty short visit inside as the girls always want to be outside. The house isn’t as big as some of the other houses we have visited in the past but it is still almost as impressive.

Lord Fairhaven purchased Anglesey Abbey with his brother, Henry, in 1926 and it was then rebuilt. The latest modernisation was the impressive library.

Lode Mill

A watermill probably stood on the site of Lode Mill at the time of the Domesday survey in 1086. The Mill which stands today is likely to have been built in the eighteenth century.

One of the highlights is a fully operational water mill which produces flour. The mill operates at set times and you can see flour being made with the option to then purchase the fresh flour.

Hoe Fen Wildlife Discovery Area

Bee’s favourite place was of course the discovery area. There is plenty to keep the children amused with:

• Leaping Logs
• Treehouse
• Wildlife Watch Hut
• Den Building Area
• Pond Viewing Platform
• Discovery Cabin

and more!

Gardens

Unfortunately we seem to have missed some of the gardens as we were so busy exploring other areas. But it means it is an excuse to go back when the gardens are in full bloom!

 

Eating at Anglesey Abbey

There are plenty of green spaces for you to sit and have a picnic. However there is also a cafe in the visitor centre which has a wide variety of food and cakes. The cafe is bright, spacious and even though it was busy we managed to find a table to have some lunch. I opted for a jacket potato with cheese and tuna.

Anglesey Abbey is a lovely place to visit and I think next time we go we will take a picnic and just relax and enjoy the space. To find out more about Anglesey Abbey, including prices, then you can check the National Trust Website.

For more pictures of the house, the greenery, statues and generally of our day out then please take a look at the slideshow pf pictures below.

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You may be interested to read about our visit to another National Trust Property: Wimpole Hall and Home Farm.