National Trust - Baddesley Clinton — Attraction in Warwick

Baddesley possibly has Anglo-Saxon origins after a man named Baeddi, Badde or Bade who drove his cattle into a wooded clearing known as a ‘leah’ or ‘ley’ hence, Badde's Ley. Around 1100 Roger de Mowbray gave the estate to Walter de Bisege and it remained in the Bisege family until his great-granddaughter, Mazera married Sir Thomas de Clinton in about 1290. The moat may have been dug in the 14th century and Baddesley is described as a fortified manor house but no License to crenelate seems to have been granted. The estate came into the hands of lawyer John Brome who was Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer in 1438. He lost his court appointments when he supported the wrong side in the Wars of the Roses, he was murdered in an argument with John Herthill in 1468 under the porch of Whitefriars church in London. His death was avenged by his son Nicholas when he killed Herthill in a duel in 1471, as a penance he had to pay for a priest to say prayers for the souls Herthill and his father. In 1478 he appointed William Foster to the position of parish priest, seven years later he returned home and found William stroking his wife under her chin, he flew into a rage, drew his sword and killed him. It is in the care of the National Trust and has cafe, there are good walking...

We had a wonderful visit. The house and gardens are absolutely beautiful. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable about the history of the house and the family.

As it was 'freedom day' we didn't need to wear masks, this was lovely. Some of the staff chose to wear them but others didn't.

If you are unable to use stairs they have an iPad set up downstairs and you can watch a walkthrough of the upstairs with explanations of the rooms etc. I didn't use this as I chanced the stairs but it was very hard work and I was exhausted.

We stopped at the restaurant and ordered a curried cauliflower pasty (which was amazing), a meat pasty (basically a Cornish pasty) and a huge slice of delicious carrot cake. It came to about £12 but it was worth it.

They also have plants for sale in the shop and we we're surprised at the very reasonable prices.

The cost is £12.60 each for adults. I purchased a single family membership for £76 for the year, which gets myself and my children unlimited entrance into National Trust properties. Also because I'm disabled and need assistance I applied for an access card so I get a carer in for free. You can apply for this even if you're not a member.

All in all it was...

Our 2nd visit to BC after quite a few years, thought we’d come and have a look at the Christmas decor. Always a lovely visit, we bought our two dogs and did some of the estate walk (public right of way etc) up passed the church and through a gate off the lane to the right and just go straight. A lovely walk to give them some exercise. Then popped into the house whilst they both had a nap in the car. Had a hot drink after on way out. Note the toilets are closed, being re-furnished but they do have super posh temporary ones just in front of the house behind the book store. Don’t be put off the are really nice inside. Great guides in the house, 2 x priest holes. Check out the beautiful library which houses very old books that did belong to and were read by the family of Baddesley we were told. A fantastic looking wine cellar just off the main arched entrance. We didn’t walk around the main grounds today as we wanted to visit some other nearby places and have lunch but BC again didn’t disappoint. Shame the church wasn’t open ? No dogs allowed passed the visitor reception or house or inner gardens, shame you can’t at least take them in a lead around the outside of the house but hey...