Greys Court House and Gardens are a short drive from London and perfect for pets with itchy paws who need to get out of the city and explore the nearby countryside and the gardens, which are the main draw here.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We drove up and pretty much took the last free place in the car park.  The overflow hadn’t opened yet, and there seemed to have been some confusion among the staff whether it would be or not, with a tail back of cars not sure what to do, so just note, it is a place that gets busy on lovely Bank Holidays.

We first had a quick wander around part of the estate – which is huge – so we didn’t wander too far.  We met some very friendly cows and crossed a pretty Japanese Moon Bridge.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Then we joined a really interesting guided tour of the gardens, which were superb.  The owner had been keen to create spaces of walled garden, with little doorways that led on to more gardens, that then opened up into surprising spaces; and she certainly managed to get the desired effect.  There’s even a special statue of the gardner, bee hotels a plenty, and lots of pretty fountains.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Although we had just missed the wonderful wisteria, and were too early for the corridor of roses, the gardens didn’t disappoint, with beautiful colours, scents and bees buzzing around.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We also visited the house – which was issuing timed entries as it was so busy – and that was nice too.  There’s also an interesting horse and donkey wheel, a tea shop, and a gift shop to nose around.  But it is the gardens that really steal the show here and deserve a second or third wander.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tipsy in the Peaks Balancing rocks always look spectacular, so we thought we’d follow in Elizabeth Bennet’s footsteps and take a walk up to see the Salt Cellar in the Peak District.  On a well-signposted route, we passed lots of great rocks, balancing and not-so-balancing, with stunning views and fresh air aplenty. Tipsy Chat in Chatsworth More Elizabeth Bennet following …

The National Trust’s Bodiam castle is a real treat for all little ones and bigger ones too.  The visit starts with you being given a grout – after all you need some 14th Century money to get into the 14th Century castle – and you enter via the walkway across the moat. Climbing up lots of windey stairs, takes you …

National Trust property and country pile of the de Rothschilds, this is a lovely Jacobean house – with beautiful paintings and collections, and extensive gardens – great for pottering about in.  Take some time to look round the collections of art bits and bobs out on display.

Tipsy particularly enjoyed the swathes of daffodils and cat napping on convenient trees and benches.

Just to let you know, we’re not being sponsored by anyone to write this blog post.  We’ve only put in the clickable links so that’s it’s easier for you to find things.  We’re nice like that 🙂

Being a city cat who had had enough of the ‘cat race’ for a while, Tipsy decided that it was time to dust off the cobwebs and get some air into her lungs and whiskers, so we set off for the Chilterns and a bracing springtime walk on the Dunstable Downs.  Just over an hour away from London, it’s the perfect …