I’ve found the best National Trust and it is right here in the West Midlands

As a family of five, we make the most of our National Trust membership and visit somewhere almost every weekend. We've explored castles, country houses and gardens across the Midlands, but Baddesley Clinton is the place we keep coming back to. It has become our family's favourite National Trust property.

Join the National Trust as a family here for just over £14 per month.

From the moment you arrive, the house captures your imagination. Surrounded by a wide, still moat, it looks like something straight out of a storybook. Our children were fascinated by it, spending ages watching the water and imagining knights, secret escapes and hidden treasures beneath the surface.

The moat gives Baddesley Clinton a magical atmosphere before you've even stepped inside.

The house itself is over 500 years old and has been home to the Ferrers family for centuries. Unlike some grand stately homes that feel more like museums, Baddesley Clinton feels lived in. The creaking wooden floors, oak-panelled rooms, ancient fireplaces and beautifully preserved interiors make it easy to imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago.

One of the most fascinating parts of the visit is discovering the house's connection to England's turbulent religious history. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Catholic priests were persecuted, and Baddesley Clinton became a place of refuge.

Hidden priest holes were cleverly built into the house, allowing priests to disappear within seconds if government search parties arrived. Perhaps the most incredible hiding place was inside the medieval sewer beneath the house, where priests are believed to have hidden for days to avoid capture. Standing there and hearing those stories really brings history to life in a way that no textbook ever could.

The house is also full of remarkable stories about the women who called it home. They weren't simply figures in the background - they managed estates, protected their family's future through difficult periods and helped preserve this extraordinary home for generations to come. Their resilience and determination are woven into every room, making the history feel personal as well as significant.

Outside, the gardens are just as peaceful. There are colourful borders, quiet woodland walks and beautiful views across the Warwickshire countryside. It's the perfect balance of history and nature, with plenty of space for children to explore while adults can slow down and appreciate the surroundings.

One of the things we love most about Baddesley Clinton is that it never feels overwhelming. Although it's one of the smaller National Trust properties, every room tells a story, every corner has something interesting to discover, and the volunteers are always happy to share fascinating facts that make each visit different from the last.

We are also huge fans of a National Trust café/restaurant - the scones and sausage rolls are always top of the priority list on our NT days out.

After spending the morning exploring, we finished our day with a short 15-minute drive to Henley-in-Arden for an ice cream. It was the perfect way to end another wonderful family day out.

Read more: I visit 'frozen in time' West Midlands market town with 'queues out the door' icecream parlour

If you're a National Trust member looking for somewhere full of atmosphere, history and charm, I can't recommend Baddesley Clinton enough.

It may not be the largest property in the National Trust's care, but for us it's the most memorable. It's a place where history feels alive, where children can let their imaginations run wild, and where every visit reveals something new.

It takes about an hour to get there from Wolverhampton.

Join the National Trust as a family here for just over £14 per month.