Wallington

📌 Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland
★★★★

Donated by MP Sir Charles Phillips Trevelyan in 1942, Wallington was the first full estate – complete with its buildings and farms – to be gifted to the National Trust. Found roughly twenty miles northwest of Newcastle, the Palladian style mansion at the estate centre dates largely from the mid 18th century and has a magnificent galleried central hall at its heart. The stately home is surrounded by wonderful grounds, including a kaleidoscopically colourful walled garden which we found to be an even bigger attraction than the house itself. There’s also an adventure playground for children, large areas of woodland, five ornamental ponds and various options for walks – see our separate feature for the our Wallington and River Wansbeck route.