Rippon Lea Estate

A beautiful way to spend a sunny day. We arrived at 10:30am and stayed until closing at 4pm, so we certainly made the most of our visit. Prior to arriving, I had been in touch with the team as garden tours aren't usually run on Tuesdays. Austin was incredibly helpful in arranging a tour for us, and I also pre-booked a picnic hamper. While we thoroughly enjoyed the day, it did end up being quite expensive. With one full-paying adult and one National Trust member (who receives free admission and tours), the total still came to just over $80 for admission, garden tour, mansion tour and picnic hamper. Understandably, the tours are dependent on volunteer availability, but the fixed schedule meant there was little flexibility in planning our day. As a result, we didn't get to enjoy our picnic hamper until after 2pm. Our garden tour was led by Alison, who was lovely, bubbly and engaging. We enjoyed learning about the history and social lives of the property's former owners, and exploring some beautiful sections of the gardens. The only thing that felt missing was the observation tower, which wasn't included on the tour. Mum and I made our way there afterwards and were rewarded with absolutely spectacular views across the lake in the afternoon sunshine. Given how stunning the outlook was, it felt like a highlight of the gardens and something future visitors would really appreciate seeing. The mansion tour was a real highlight. Rose was exceptional, with clear knowledge and a genuine passion for the property's history. With only three people on the tour, there were plenty of opportunities for questions and discussion, and she generously gave us far more time than expected. The time passed very quickly, and it was one of those experiences where you could have easily stayed and listened much longer. We were incredibly appreciative of both her knowledge and enthusiasm. One thing to note is that the café offering is extremely limited, essentially a coffee machine and a jar of biscuits. I was very glad I had ordered the picnic hamper in advance, although visitors could easily bring their own picnic or snacks. The catering company delivered our hamper before we arrived, and staff kindly stored it in the fridge until we collected it later in the day. The grounds are stunning and I can only imagine how beautiful this venue would be for a wedding. Overall, it was a lovely day out and a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon.