We visited Baddesley Clinton, a National Trust property, for a couple of hours whilst travelling through the area. We were lucky with the weather and found it a very pleasant house and gardens.
As the house has relatively small rooms entrance is by timed ticket. I suggest getting these when you arrive but it was not too busy when we were there on a Friday afternoon. The house was built by Henry Ferrars during the late 16th century and has many coats of arms both carved and in stained glass. The house was often used as a hiding place for persecuted Catholics and the staff in the house love showing everyone where these hiding places are built. The house and estate went into a decline for quite a while before, in the late 19th century, Marmion Edward Ferrars moved there with Edward Dering and their respective wives when they all devoted their time to restoring the house as well as painting and writing. Many of their paintings are still in the house.
Outside, as well as the usual National Trust restaurant and gift shop, are attractive gardens and a very pleasant stroll around the lake. There was a group of artists there when we visited and I can definitely understand why as the house has a very beautiful setting.
