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Not Cliveden or Stourhead - UK's number 1 best National Trust property named
Reach Daily Express | April 23, 2026 6:39 AM CST

With the May half-term and summer holidays on the way, lots of us will be looking to make the most of the nice weather by visiting somewhere beautiful. The best National Trust property in the UK has been named, and it's not Cliveden or Stourhead.

The Telegraph rated and ranked all of properties across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland has its own National Trust). Taking the top spot is Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire, scoring 44 out of 50. It got 10 out of 10 for history, eight for architecture and grounds, and nine for things to see and facilities.

The newspaper said that Mottisfont is "a glorious patchwork of history" as a 1930s country retreat, in a renovated Georgian house, built around a Tudor palace, on the foundations of an Augustinian priory. The National Trust describes it as an 18th-century house with a medieval priory at its heart, framed by ancient trees, bubbling brooks and rolling lawns.

The site includes the historic house museum, with regularly changing art exhibitions, gardens with a walled rose garden and a riverside walk.

In second place was Coughton Court in Warwickshire, which got 42 out of 50 - 10 out of 10 for history, eight for architecture and ground, nine for things to see, and seven for facilities.

The newspaper said that you "don't get more riveting history" than Coughton's. The house has been home to the Throckmorton family since 1409.

In third place was Buscot Park in Oxfordshire, which got 41 out of 50 - nine out of 10 for history, grounds, and things to see, and seven for architecture and facilities.

The Telegraph described it as a "delight", with a "charming" collection of art, "marvellous" gardens, and action-packed history.

Also making the top 10 are Standen House in West Sussex, Cragside in Northumberland, Chirk Castle in Wrexham, Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, Avebury Manor in Wiltshire, Cliveden in Berkshire, and Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in Yorkshire.


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