Top 10 Best National Trust sites in the UK

When cycling on a fresh autumnal day with a crisp blue sky, cold breeze and tyres crunching through the leaves, it feels like you could cycle for hours. Having said that, in reality it’s a pretty unpredictable time of year to head out on your tricycle; there could be bright sunshine one minute and a torrential down pour the next. With wider tyres, front suspension, great ground clearance and the extra stability of the third wheel, a mountain tricycle ensures you’re able to take on those muddy trails with ease.

National Trust sites don’t just offer beautiful places to explore in the Autumn, but they have miles and miles of some of the best cycle routes in the UK. The natural and exceptional beauty of National Trust sites spans from coastlines to countryside, lavish estates to lovely landscapes, wilderness to woodland creatures. With a range of trails and terrain, there is something for all abilities. It’s a great way to burn off some steam, spend quality time with family and friends as well as explore some of the most beautiful parts of the UK.

If you want new places to adventure to this Autumn, we have whittled down the National Trusts hundreds of historic buildings, gardens, parks, castles, monuments and nature reserves down to just a few favourites. In order to determine the top 10 National Trust sites, we have looked at the average monthly google searches for every site across the UK.

Here are the top 10 National Trust sites:

1. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

(96,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: Largest gorge in England, at 400 ft deep and 3 miles long

Fun fact: The neighbouring village of Cheddar is where cheddar cheese originates from Best for: Geology enthusiasts (and cheese lovers!)

When to visit: Summer

Click here to explore the local cycle routes (some even have a café or tea room along the way, perfect for a pit stop!)

2. Tatton Park, Knutsford

(61,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: Being one of the UK’s most complete historic estates

Fun fact: The gardens have been growing for over 200 years with each owner putting their own stamp on it

Best for: Animal lovers

When’s best to visit: Spring/Summer

As well as cycling around Tatton Hall, Tatton Mere, through the gardens and the 1,000 acre deer park, click here to find cycling routes around Tatton.

3. Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

(58,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: Being home to Rothschild Collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts

Fun fact: The Crown (2016) and Cinderella (2021) were filmed here

Best for: Art lovers

When’s best to visit: Christmas

Waddesdon Greenway is a safe cycle route that joins Aylesbury Parkway to Waddesdon Manor. It’s a tarmac path that runs along the countryside so you’re able to cycle at ease while taking in the beautiful views.

4. Corfe Castle, Dorset

(47,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: One of the most iconic and impressive defensive fortress’

Fun Fact: It was the site of a royal murder - a young king was killed at this castle

Best for: Young history fiends

When’s best to visit: Autumn

The Castle Cycle Ride not only offers you views of Corfe Castle but passes through Church Knowle, past Blue Pool and then through Hartland Moor.

5. Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

(41,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: Being ‘more glass than wall’, making it extremely architecturally unique for its time

Fun fact: It was home to Bess of Hardwick, one of the UK’s richest and most influential women in Elizabethan times

Best for: Interior design and home decor lovers

When’s best to visit: Autumn

The Five Pits Trail is nearby and can be enjoyed by cyclists, walkers and horse-riders.

6. Sutton Hoo, Suffolk

(40,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: Being one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time

Fun fact: The Dig, a film by Netflix, tells the tale of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo

Best for: Keen historians

When’s best to visit: Winter

There are no cycle paths on site, but there are many walking trails to explore Sutton Hoo by foot.

7. Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

(39,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: It is the last remaining Regency playhouse in the country

Fun fact: Designed and built in 1819, this theatre still lots of its original features intact Best for: Theatre-goers

When’s best to visit: Winter/Autumn

Take a look at the Bury St Edmunds Cycle Map if you want to explore the towns architecture, shops and local pubs and restaurants. Alternatively, ‘The Miller’s Trail’ takes you on a route that’s only accessible to cyclists. It takes you through quaint neighbouring villages and past some wonderful nature reserves.

8. Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

(38,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: For over three centuries, it was home to the Dukes of Newcastle

Fun fact: Within Clumber Park is The Serpentine Lake, which took 15 years to build and covers 87 acres

Best for: Family cycling

When’s best to visit: Spring

With over 20 miles of cycle routes, cycling is the perfect way to explore Clumber Park. Click here to find the best route for you.

9. Dunham Massey, Cheshire

(37,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: Being the only surviving medieval park in Trafford

Fun fact: Since it was built three centuries ago the house has remained in the same family

Best for: Walkers

When’s best to visit: Autumn

While it’s only those under 5 that are allowed on bikes inside the park, there is a cycle station in the car park to keep your bike or tricycle safe while you explore the park and gardens. Click here to explore the nearby cycle routes.

10. Stoneacre, Kent

(36,000 average monthly google searches)

It’s famous for: It was once going to be destroyed until Arts and Scholar Aymer Vallance saved it, and restored it

Fun fact: The front door is the same door from the 15th Century

Best for: Fine art lovers

When’s best to visit: Spring

This Medieval yeoman’s house and garden is best explored by foot so you may be best leaving your bike or tricycle at home when visiting Stoneacre.