We arrived before it opened but the gates were open, so we drove down the long drive way, past the towering house, to the car park around the back. It was warm and sunny, so we got out, and found the "Impey walk" signposted. The path round up and down around so much that we lost all sense of where we were - which was nice. There were views away from the estate, mature woodland, and even a buzzard. We emerged at the top end of the car park and walked down to the visitor's reception, which is housed in the old stable block, along with the plant shop, NT shop, facilities, and restaurant which also spills out into the courtyard. We picked up a couple of leaflets and headed through towards the house.

We walked through the grounds to the main entrance at the rear of what is a large imposing Victorian House. We were welcomed in by an NT guide, who gave the children two "Hunt the animals" quiz sheets on clipboards. The house was designed by William Burges. Every room in the house is decorated, every surface - nothing has been left blank. Apparently it's done in the Romantic and Gothic style, if that helps! There are ornate ceilings, intricately carved fireplaces, mottos painted in borders around the tops of the walls, a riot of fabulously coloured wallpapers. In every room there were animals to be found. Clues ranging from the easy "Find 3 deer heads," to "find the puffing dog"— which was a dog's head on a pair of bellows! Having the quiz to do kept them amused and also meant we all paid more attention to all the details than usual. A good idea.

We left through the conservatory which brings you out on the other side of the house, where the landscape falls away in front of you in very pastoral fashion - large trees, sheep, etc. We wandered off through semi-formal gardens, with fabulous topiary leaping animals on the hedges, to the pond with tadpoles to amuse, and off into the more random woodscape, where bluebells abounded, black tulips, azaleas, and much more. It was a very good time to visit, as everything seemed to be in flower. There are all sorts of benches dotted around to sit on and admire too.

After that was the Walled Garden where the rhubarb pots amused, the food grown here is used in the restaurant. Back through the shop, and out, wishing we'd thought to bring a picnic and simply lie in a corner in the sunshine with it as other people were doing.

I loved this place, and wouldn't hesitate to visit again—the grounds alone make it worth while.