The Forest School at Saltram

Saltram is proud to be hosting the Forest School throughout the summer. Forest School is a Danish concept of learning in the outdoors which is quickly growing in popularity around the country. It focuses on building confidence, self-esteem, independence, motivation and environmental awareness through organised games and activities.



Led by our local Forest School leaders, Jen Reeley and Debbie Lowe who have many years experience working with children of all ages, students are given a safe and productive environment in which to learn and interact. Many of the activities can be linked to the national and early years curriculum, providing a fun way of learning and achieving goals.

Forest school leaders are Jen Reeley who can be contacted on 07715969506 or at jen.reeley@talktalk.net and Debbie Lowe, who can be contacted on 07877998110 or at ecscdebbie@hotmail.com.
Both Jen and Debbie are available for private parties and events which are run under the buisiness names Forest School Plymouth and Wild About Woods. For further information email forestschoolplymouth@hotmail.com or visit www.wildaboutwoods.co.uk.
The Forest School at Saltram can be booked through the above contact details. All Forest School leaders are CRB checked and First Aid Trained.

An astounding Saltram discovery!

We have recently had a beautiful inlaid writing desk returned to us from a long stay at Trerice. When cleaning it the other day we discovered a message, probably part of a letter, pasted to the bottom of a drawer. It appeared to be written in French so we sent it off to our Curator to have a closer look!

We have just had the translation returned and sadly it doesn't make a huge amount of sense as much of the letter is missing but what we do have is...

the State, often at the peril
even incarcerated when his
considerable sums
that he comes out free of charge
Lombards of which he justifies. Paris, March 1824

Quite interesting stuff! We have ascertained from this that the writer of the letter was probably in prison and is trying to correct an injustice and be released from his imprisonment.

A lovely bit of history, hidden away for over a hundred years right under our noses!

Amazing Flower Displays at Saltram!

A Marsh Orchid

A population of Southern Marsh Orchids is currently flowering in the gardens here at Saltram. Their number have been slowly increasing over the past few years with the help of our gardening team and the work they are doing to help the orchids reproduce. They can be found growing between the Orangery and the nearby Orange Grove.

Other things looking good at the moment in the garden include the 'Chilean Fire Bush', or Embothrium coccineum which is growing in the Orange Grove, along the Lime Avenue there are hundreds of white flowers along with wild garlic and 'Queen Anne's Lace' and the first of the bearded iris' are starting to appear. These can be found near the Chapel Gallery and near the Castle Folly at the top of the garden.

The Orangery has also been emptied for the summer with the help of our garden volunteers. So there's lots to see this Spring in the gardens at Saltram!

Tim, our garden volunteer removing an orange tree from the Orangery

Make a Proposal at Saltram and Win a Prize!

This week we're gearing up for another busy Bank Holiday weekend, but this one is different, there's something magical in the air around a Royal Wedding!

If you're looking for a magical place to pop the question come to Saltram. The impressive Georgian mansion is set in stunning landscaped gardens, which at this time of year are crammed full of spring blossoms, dazzling colours and evocative scents. The garden also offers many secluded spots and hidden follies. Perhaps the Castle or Temple of Jupiter could be the perfect romantic location for you and your loved one?

As our special way of celebrating and entering into the spirit of the occasion, we at Saltram are offering an exclusive prize for anyone who proposes in the Garden this bank holiday weekend. A name will be selected at random to attend a luxury picnic laid out for the lucky couple in the gardens, where they'll enjoy a sumptuous picnic hamper full of delights and be treated like a true Royal with full butler service.

So come along and take a chance this weekend at Saltram!

Get 'Stitched Up' at Saltram!

The Saltram 'Stitched Up' sewing group have been together now for over 6 months and are settling into their new base next to the staff break room. They come together once a fortnight on a Tuesday (the next meeting will be on the 29th of April!) from 10am - 4pm and there is something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or an advanced professional there are all sorts of tasks available!

The team have recently completed some amazing Regency dresses and on the 2nd Saturday of each month try them on and meet the public, which is an optional extra to helping out the team.
They really have provided an excellent service for us and we hope to show you some of the outcomes of their work soon!

If you're interested in helping out give us a call on 01752 333503, everyone who comes along will be welcome and very much appreciated!

Saltram Countryside Park, give us your views!

The Saltram Countryside Park covers over 600 hectares on the eastern edge of Plymouth, lying between the Plym Estuary and the urban areas of Plympton and Plymstock (and, when it is built, the new community at Sherford). It includes the existing historic Saltram Estate, which contains a Grade I listed property and Registered Park and Garden, as well as the restored landfill site at Chelson Meadow, the Woodland Trust's Hardwick Wood and a large area of privately owned land.

The area already supports a diverse range of wildlife habitats including ancient woodlands, flower-rich grasslands, mud flats, and a network of hedgerows. A number of businesses, including farms operate in the area and it is hoped they will continue to flourish in the Countryside Park.

Until the 29th March the plan for the park is under consultation, that's where you come in! Go to http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/saltrammasterplan and scroll down to the 'planning the park' section and click the link to tell us your views on the park. This is really important as the park is for the people of Plymouth and the surrounding area and we envision it will continue to play a part in the lives of the people of Plymouth for many years to come.

What does Mulching do?

Mulching is a protective covering placed over the soil to retain moisture and nutrients and prevent erosion and weeds growing, it can be a vital part of growing strong and healthy plants.

We are running a workshop focusing on the importance of mulching on the 11th March from 11.00 - 13.00, it's £5 a ticket and you will learn about all aspects of mulching and how it can be put to practical use in your own garden.

Call us on 01752 333503 for more information and booking.

Volunteer Open Day at Antony

Image: © NTPL/Andrew Butler

For the smiling faces...

For the community...

For the amazing stories...

For learning new skills and making new friends...

Volunteers get involved in our work at Antony in Torpoint in many different ways. Whether as a room guide, an events assistant or helping in the garden, you will be helping us to bring Antony to life to all our visitors

To find out more about how you could get involved, come along to our

Volunteer Open Day on Wednesday 2 March

- drop-in between 11am-2pm and be inspired to make a difference!

For more information, visit our website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/antony or give us a call on 01752 812191

Snowdrops at Saltram

This week marks the peak of the snowdrop display in our garden here at Saltram, with later displays in the parkland slowly appearing.

We have developed a new 'Snowdrop Walk' alongside the old Lime Avenue, here you can see the snowdrops growing under the ancient oak trees.

Our head gardener Penny has said she's pleased with the way the Snowdrops have spread and at one end of the walk we've planted Winter Aconites, that are hardly ever seen in the West Country, which form a carpet of gold to compliment the Snowdrops.

Penny hopes that the development of our dwarf bulb display will add a real new dimension and a splash of unseasonal colour to our gardens in the coming winters.

Other flowers that are really great at the moment and are worth coming to see are the Witch Hazels, Winter Flowering Honeysuckles and the first Daffodils, Camellias and Hellebores of 2011.

Before we know it the spring will be upon us and all these Snowdrops will be succeeded with 300 yards of Daffodils of all sizes and varieties so there's even more reason to come to Saltram and put some colour and nature into your day.

Our Gardens are open every day during the season and are worth
a visit if you're coming to the house for our
weekend of tours on the 19th and 20th of February.

Call 01752 333503 for more information.

Early Opening at Saltram

Pop along to Saltram on the 19th and 20th of February to see a different side to Saltram.

We will be opening our doors for guided tours from 12.00 - 3.45pm on Saturday and 11.00 - 1.00pm on Sunday where you can find out where the servants slept, the secrets of the Lords and Ladies of Saltram and the Medicines that were used in the past.

The cost is £7 for adults and £5 for children, NT members are free and for the price you can do as many tours as you want.

The house will be open as usual from 1.00 - 3.45 on Sunday, please call 01752 333503 for more details or visit http://tinyurl.com/Saltramevents.

Valentine's at Saltram

Struggling to find a baby sitter for Monday night?

Here at Saltram we will be hosting an early Valentine's dinner on February 12th from 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £25.50 for a three-course meal and you will be entertained by harpist Peter Fisher (http://www.peterfisherharp.co.uk/), call us now on 01752 333503 to book, places are running out fast.

See http://tinyurl.com/Saltramevents for more info.

Marmalade Day!

Wednesday 26th January is Marmalade Day!

Come along to Saltram on the 26th January from 10.30am to learn how to make marmalade with our resident Chef, we will discuss traditional and modern methods and then you will be taken on a tour of our orangery, an 18th Century building used for keeping our citrus trees warm throughout the winter.

The day includes lunch and is priced at £17.95 per person, places are limited so please book now by calling 01752 333523.

Waking up the Apple Trees at Saltram

Come to the annual Saltram Wassail on Saturday 15th January from 6.00pm and join our wardens and Dartington Morris Men to help us wake up our apple trees and banish the evil spirits away from our orchard.

We're hoping for a big harvest this year so there will be fun and festivities taking place all evening and it will all be followed with some mulled cider and apple cake!

Give us a call on 01752 333500 or see http://tinyurl.com/Saltramevents for information on this event and lots more to see and do in early 2011.

Saltram Yuletide Craft and Food Fair

Come to Saltram this Weekend and see our Yuletide Craft and Food Fair.

Within the beautiful surroundings of Saltram you will find the very best in festive arts, crafts and West Country seasonal fare. The yummiest start to the festive season and the perfect place to find beautiful Christmas gifts from local producers away from the high street crowds.

The Yuletide Craft and Food Fair runs from 27th November to 28th November from 10.30am to 5.00pm and admission will be £2.50, which includes entry to Saltram's picturesque gardens and Chapel Gallery.

For further information contact Shirley Margison, our Gallery Supervisor on 01752 347852 or the main office on 01752 333503.

Halloween Weekend at Saltram

Thousands of visitors are set to descend on Saltram this weekend to experience our amazing Illuminated Garden and fright filled Halloween night.

It all kicks off on Saturday night with the illuminated garden hosted by residents of the Saltram estate, bought back to life by our volunteers.

The next day on Sunday things start to get a bit scary as the lights will uncover gangs of ghouls and goblins lurking around the garden. Come and listen to ghost stories in the Orangery, complete our ghostly trail, dance with demons in the UV disco and get scared senseless by spooky goings on.

The Illuminated Garden runs from 6pm to 9pm, entry is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Halloween also runs from 6pm to 9pm, entry is £5 for adults and £6 for children, under 5's free.

call 01752333503 for more information and booking

We Need Your Books!

The second hand book shop at Saltram is getting short of books, if you have any old books your would be happy to donate please contact us on 01752 333503 or drop in between 9.00 and 5.30. All proceeds from the sale of donated books will be invested back into the property.

Discover Food at Saltram This Winter

Saltram will be hosting events this winter which will help you prepare for Christmas and the cold weather with lots of tasty treats and activities.

The 4th of November is Pickled Thursday! Our 10.30am workshop is Sold Out, but there are still places for the 7.00pm event. Make and take home mincemeat, pickled onions and pickled red cabbage, the event includes a Bangers and Mash supper.

On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of November we are running our famous Gingerbread Workshops where you will learn to build a gingerbread house to take home on the day.

The 21st of November is Stir up Sunday, where you will make the perfect Christmas pudding and learn to impress your friends with Christmas Canapés.

On Thursday 2nd of December we will be holding a Decoration Workshop where you can learn to make all sorts of traditional, eco-friendly and eye-catching decorations to brighten up your home this Christmas.

On Wednesday 8th of December from 7.00pm you can attend our Christmas Activity Dinner, where you'll be greeted with a two-course Christmas meal, followed by gingerbread house making.

Please call 01752 333503 for more information and booking. These are all ticket-only events.

Healthy Options on Dartmoor

Do you often wish you were fitter?

Has your doctor suggested a little exercise?

Would you like to get outdoors more often?

When did you last go out into the countryside?

Now is the time to do it!

During the month of October you can try out running, cycling, healthy walking, volunteer tasks, nature ramble or Tai Chi in the beautiful surrounding of the Plym Valley. You can see all sorts of wildlife whilst getting healthy at the same time. We at National Trust have teamed up with Natural England, Running England, Stepping Stones to Nature and others to put together a proramme of tasters to show you how to get fit the fun way without the expensive gym membership. You can make new friends and you may even want to take up a new sport.

Keep watching this website next week for the days and times of the activities we have been planning.

For more information contact Steph Rodgers on 01752 341377.

A rare look inside the books at Saltram

On the 24th September Saltram House is opening its doors to the public for a rare look inside the books of the Library.

Usually the books are just masses of nameless spines to visitors, however this Library is rare as it is original to the house, each volume purchased by the Parker family throughout their tenure at Saltram. On the 24th these books will be taken from the shelves and we will show you some real gems.

The day will be led by the National Trust's Libraries Curator, Mark Purcell and members of Saltram's conservation team, there will be lunch included in the cost and opportunities to ask questions about your own collections.

The day will run from 10.30 - 4.00 and will include lunch in the Fennimore Room. The cost is £27.50 per person and it is a ticket-only event. Please call 01752 333503 for more information and booking.

Open-air family theatre at Saltram House

Saltram will be hosting the Chapterhouse Theatre Company and Illyria later this month when they perform their versions of Pride and Prejudice and James and the Giant Peach.



Both will be performed out on the West Lawn in the garden with the impressive Saltram House providing an amazing backdrop which is not to be missed!






Both performances are on a Wednesday evening and are suitable for children and adults alike.


James and the Giant Peach will be performed by Illyria on the 18th August from 6.30pm-8.30pm and the Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be performing Pride and Prejudice on the 25th from 7pm-9.30pm. Both events are charged at £12 for adults and £8 for children. Call 01752 333503 for more information and booking.