This October we stayed in Cumbria, in the Yorkshire Dales. We booked a lovely AirBnb place which was situated close enough to the Lake District we could get to most places within an hour. While I knew she had lived in the Lake District, I had no idea how much Beatrix Potter and the Lake District were linked.
Beatrix Potter and the Lake District are so closely linked, with plenty of places to visit. Around the age of sixteen she visited the Lake District, staying at Wray Castle. As she started to make money from her Peter Rabbit books she bought land. She wanted to make sure the Lake District remained unspoilt and stayed the way she knew it. Often she would buy land with the National Trust, and on her death gave it all to them fully. This is the Lake District as we know it today.
Around Windermere are several National Trust car parks. We made our first stop at Fell Foot Park; situated at the bottom of the lake going towards Windermere itself. Windermere is so long you can’t see from end to end and Fell Foot Park is a good place to stop and wander around. There’s also an outdoor children’s play area which H enjoyed.
Mid-way up Windermere is Hill Top, the first house Beatrix Potter bought. She lived here before she married, afterwards as a writing retreat. She had bought farmland up the road and eventually lived with her husband there.
Hill Top is decorated in the style it would have been when Beatrix lived there. Changes have been made to the house, but in a good way. There is still a lot there from her time living there – it’s somewhere that comes alive in her books. Window ledges appear in some illustrations, and you can picture Beatrix sitting creating in that very room.
The dolls house on show within the house dates back to the 1800s though isn’t the one featured in The Tale of Two Bad Mice. Inside you can see wonderful decorations and furnishings if you have a peep through the windows. Now I’m curious, do those furnishings date back to the time of the book?
The National Trust describe Hill Top as a house for someone who ‘never grew up’ (Beatrix’s own words). Brought up in isolation with her brother Bertram, Beatrix sought solace in art and nature.
Around the grounds of Hill Top are Beatrix’s gardens – it feels like a house you would hide away from the world, yet still be very close to. You can see her vegetable garden as well as the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddleduck tried to hide her eggs.
Outside Hill Top in Near Sawrey itself are houses which feature in the books, and indeed the area around the Stones Lane junction has several shops which feature in her books. Peter Rabbit by the red post box? It’s just around the corner from Hill Top.
Entry is free for National Trust members. On arrival you get a map of the grounds with a timed entry slot for the house, where you’re free to wander around.
Up the road is Hawkshead which is worth a wander in its own right. You need to park up (paid, think it was about £4ish for two hours) and walk to the centre of the town. You will arrive at an office where you get your tickets for a few doors down where there’s a Beatrix Potter exhibition and more interactive things to do.
The office in question used to house the solicitor’s office where William Heelis, her future husband, worked. Low wooden ceilings and a really interesting exhibition ‘The Right Sort Of Woman‘ were yet another fascinating insight. There was also an original Peter Rabbit letter that she had written on show.
The exhibition features contributions from workers – for example, Beatrix never paid the men for their work, always their wives.
Beatrix set up local health care, making sure there was a doctor in the area, fully paid for by her so that locals had access to medical care. She sounded like a great employer and one who seemed in touch with what her workers needed.
The exhibition is coming to an end, so don’t miss out.
Moving away slightly from Beatrix Potter, up the road is Wray Castle. It’s not a traditional castle, more a Victorian gothic mansion, but nonetheless it’s a great place to visit with lots of child-friendly things to do inside. There’s also a Beatrix Potter exhibition, ‘The Women of Wray Castle’ which also features Margaret Dawson.
Beatrix and her family came to stay at Wray Castle one summer when she was sixteen. Maybe this is what made her love for the Lake District grow?
While at Wray, Beatrix drew lots of images of mushrooms growing there, making a name for herself in the mycology field. As she was female, her views and opinions were rejected. These days her work has been revisited and has been acknowledged as having great value.
If you’re looking for somewhere for your child to burn off some energy, Wray Castle is that place. As well as the inside of the castle, there is a big natural play area outside.
Close to Hawkshead and Hill Top is Esthwaite Water, another inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s books. It’s an unspoilt area where yet more of the books featured.
Tarn Hows is also nearby, a large man-made Tarn which has wonderful views, though was somewhere we didn’t have the time to visit.
I think we need to go back – three days wasn’t long enough to do everything we wanted to!
Last week it was half term, and we did our traditional northern break, this time visiting the Lake District. Here are some things to do in the Lake District. I will do individual posts for the places we visited, mainly as if I did a huge post it would take forever to read….
Things to do in the Lake District – Southern Lakes
Around Coniston Visit Coniston
Go to their Coniston Honest Shop
Take in the views by the lake
Things to do in the Lake District – Northern Lakes
Around Derwentwater Go on a boat trip around the lake.
Lodore Falls
Visit Keswick
Visit the Cumberland Pencil Museum
Around Ullswater Enjoy a drive along most of the lake with spectacular views.
Visit Penrith for your regular supermarkets
Go around the lake on a Victorian Ullswater Steamer (to do)
This is by no means a definitive list, just some of the things we looked at, some which we ran out of time to do and some of which we will do in the future. We visited a lot of the lakes which was good – though maybe a bit less driving and more walking would be better.
However, whatever you want from the Lake District, you’ll probably find. National Trust membership is essential too. I had no idea that Beatrix Potter bought land in Cumbria so it would remain unspoilt – and donated it to the National Trust when she died.
There’s a lot to see and learn about, and over the next few weeks I’ll be adding top tips for things to do in the Lake District. I’ll add links as I do them.
It was the 29th April 2015 and news started to come in – Clandon Park near Guildford was on fire. Beautiful Clandon Park – a Grade I listed mansion. But there’s good news – Clandon is being rebuilt.
Clandon Park is a mansion near West Clandon, near Guildford. On the 29th April 2015 a fire gutted the mansion, all bar one room. The fire started in the basement and spread to the upper floors.
Fortunately several things were saved and retrieved before the fire took hold. However, a lot was lost – including the inside of the house. Clandon Park is just a shell.
As National Trust members, we’ve combined Clandon Park and nearby Hatchlands Park in a single visit. When H was a baby Clandon was the better of the two for little legs. It has now reopened, and things are changing.
From January 2019 work will begin on restoring Clandon. The ground floor will be as close as possible to how it was, with the upper floors having an exhibition area which will continually change. On the top floor there’s talk of a dining area with spectacular views across the Surrey Hills.
We were given hard hats and hi-vis vests and had a look inside the house.
There is a walkway through a section of the house, and it’s fascinating. Obviously it goes without saying it would be better the fire never happened, though because it did, the people who volunteer at Clandon have learned so much about how the house was built.
For example, in the Royal Chamber; a room which was always ready for any passing Kings or Queens to stay, should they need to; it was discovered the walls had several layers. Initially wood was nailed into the walls which were then covered in hessian. Wallpaper was placed over that, leaving what everyone saw up to 2015. But now you can see the layers underneath.
How about some 1930s fireproofing? There is a tiny section which hangs across the upper floor. Sadly ironic, it’s the only part which still stands up there.
Incredibly, the marble fireplaces remain intact. The staff at Clandon Park found that pillars thought to be marble were in fact painted to look that way – and were just plaster. On the first floor statues (again, marble) are intact. You can see smaller fireplaces which survived as well.
What H thought would be a boring hour or two ended up being a really fascinating hour or two. Seeing the structure of the house, how thick the walls are and seeing where wood and stone staircases once were is really interesting.
If you visit Hatchlands Park, I’d recommend a trip to Clandon Park as well. It’s just up the road, the grounds are open too. I wish it wasn’t interesting and that we were visiting as normal (the cafe in the basement was always one of our favourite National Trust ones), but love that H came away asking different questions about the build of the house.
In the gardens we spotted loads of newts in the pond in the Dutch Garden – with the glorious sunshine it was a lovely day to get out and enjoy being outdoors. Looking across the bulb meadow to the house there was a hint of sadness, though knowing things will change in the coming years means this view will happen again.
To visit Clandon Park, please check their opening times. You can turn up to visit the house, you don’t need to pre-book. Spending money at Clandon Park also helps vital funds needed for this rebuilding project.
It was a sunny day so I suggested we travel to West London to try Osterley Park and House – our National Trust membership has just renewed for an eighth year so I wanted to use it as quickly as possible.
Osterley Park and House is over in West London, around an hour for us in the car. You arrive and you wouldn’t feel like you’re in London at all, apart from being underneath the Heathrow flight path, so you see a plane every minute or so.
Osterley House dates back to Tudor times – we ran out of time to investigate so we’ll have to go back. We were going to combine a trip with Syon House but ran out of time – there was way more to do than we thought.
The National Trust website mentions sports activities in Osterley Park, so we headed there as it sounded like something fun to do. Little did we know it would be a LOT of fun. H has played badminton twice now, so any excuse to find some space to have a proper game, right? (and they provide racquets too)
In conjunction with the National Trust, a local canoeing club offer you a 30-45 minute canoe around the pond there. At £6 per person we thought it was pretty reasonable – the main issue for me was how deep was the lake?
It isn’t that deep at all, probably up to H’s shoulders, so we could have stood comfortably in there had we fallen out. Nonetheless, we wore life jackets and I instantly wondered what on earth I was getting myself into.
The canoe sessions are running until October, and are definitely worth doing! For the more experienced canoeist you could take one on your own. If there are just the two of you, there are plenty of two man canoes. Ours holds three people so we didn’t get wet (you do in the canoes for two). My feet still ended up soaked but oh my, it was GREAT fun! We went around the lake twice, and ended up exhausted – it took a short while to get our rhythm as well as making sure none of us shuffled around too much.
But that’s not all, because Osterley Park has a trail – a natural play trail. How cool is that? If you head for the long walk around the grounds you’ll find it. There are plenty of bits of wood marked like this
You come across wooden features like this
and this
or this
and even this
until you reach the really big natural play area with this
and a tree you can climb which is a really good tree for climbing, with a ‘climb chime’ half way up.
and this – but of course who needs an invitation when it comes to building dens?
We could have spent far longer at Osterley Park and House, which means we’ll just have to go back. Next time we’ll combine it with that trip to Syon Park we didn’t manage to get to.
It’s almost that time of the year again, Easter. Every year without fail we find ourselves at a National Trust Easter Egg hunt which are all brilliant, and well organised. This year we fancied a change. But where to go?
Easter Egg hunts are starting around now, the start of April. Most run for a few weeks, but please check the links provided for more information.
The National Trust Easter Egg hunt are great. They work with Cadbury’s, and usually have some kind of trail around the place you’re visiting. I’ve spotted easy ones for younger children and slightly more complicated ones for the slightly cockier over 7’s (read : H). They’re suitable for all and perfect for glorious sunny days. The eggs are pretty good too!
You can find more information here. There is usually a cost involved on top of your National Trust membership.
[We pay for National Trust membership every year]
Historic Royal Palaces have some trails on as well. We’re probably going to do Hampton Court Palace this year, who are doing their trail in conjunction with Lindt. I’m actually wondering if adults can do it too… It is Hampton Court’s first ever Easter trail. I love Hampton Court, and the Magic Garden has reopened for the season as of yesterday (1st April). I can’t think of a better reason to go! The Easter Egg trail is included in your admission price.
[We get free entry to Hampton Court as it is part of the CSSC scheme]
Hever Castle has an easter egg hunt, another Lindt one. I don’t think we’ll have time to do this one this year, but having had a day at Hever recently, it would be a wonderful place to wander around in the sun, especially knowing there is Lindt chocolate involved at the end. The Lindt Gold Bunny hunt is free, and they have additional activities available at a cost. Worth looking into anyway!
[We have Historic Houses Association Membership so can enter Hever Castle for free]
English Heritage also have some Easter Activities on – with all sorts of activities. They look pretty awesome, and don’t mention chocolate… Not all English Heritage places are doing it, so please check this link for more information. They also fall around the Easter weekend, rather than the start of April.
[We are English Heritage members via CSSC and the above link is an affiliate link]
There’s no better way to celebrate summer than packing a picnic and catching up with friends and family. With miles of coastline and acres of countryside, the National Trust cares for some of the best spots in the country for eating al fresco and enjoying stunning views.
For those whose picnic preparation isn’t quite up to scratch, there are also plenty of ways to make it extra-special with the delicious seasonal food on offer at National Trust cafés and shops.
Here are some of the top picnic spots and places to stop for a tasty treat:
South West Avebury, Wiltshire
If you’re looking to picnic in historical surroundings then Avebury is the perfect spot. The pretty village is partially encompassed by the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle, now a World Heritage Site. There’s plenty of green space to throw your rug down and little ones will love rolling down the surrounding hills and banks. On the edge of the village stands Avebury Manor, which was recently transformed in a partnership between the National Trust and the BBC. The Manor creates a hands-on experience that celebrates and reflects the lives of the people who once lived in Avebury; the perfect educational accompaniment to a glorious picnic. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Lanhydrock estate covers 1,000 acres, with parkland, ancient woodland and riverside paths. Pack a rucksack and go on a family adventure to find your perfect spot. The estate has lots of cycle trails and even has bikes to hire, so you can plan a day full of exploration. Once you’ve had your fill of sandwiches and adventures, why not relax in the gardens and take in the beautiful scents of blooming herbaceous borders.
For information on bicycle hire, please call: 01208 265975 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock
Studland Beach, Dorset
Take the children for a good old fashioned day out on this golden sandy beach that stretches four miles from South Haven Point to Old Harry Rocks. It’s an ideal place to enjoy the simple pleasures of beach picnics and tumbling sandcastles. And with shallow bathing water it’s perfect for paddling with the little ones. You can also visit the nearby ruins of Corfe Castle to discover over 1,000 years of history and relive childhood memories by seeing the inspiration behind Enid Blyton’s Kirrin Castle in the Famous Five. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay
South East Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Lazy Jazz Sundays, every Sunday June – September & Bank Holiday Monday 29 August, 2pm – 4pm
Unwind on the lush green grass of Polesden Lacey’s South Lawn to the melodious tones of live jazz music. You can fill up your hamper with treats at the café which will be offering pick-up-and-go food for impromptu picnics. Every penny you spend in the café helps the National Trust care for special places like Polesden Lacey for summers to come. Afterwards take a stroll through the gardens and estate where stunning displays of climbing roses and double herbaceous borders will be in full bloom.
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
For more information, please call: 01372 452048 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey
Morden Hall Park, London
Jazzy June Evenings, 17 & 24 June, 8pm – 10pm
Morden Hall Park is green oasis, giving you a taste of the country at the end of the Northern Line. Every Friday throughout June, Morden will be staying open late and playing host to an evening of jazz in the historic stable yard. A different group will be performing each week, so bring a picnic, grab a glass of Pimm’s and take the chance to dance the night away.
Price: £8 in advance, £10 on the gate (booking essential) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Stowe is a place of such scale and beauty that it has attracted visitors for over 300 years. This timeless landscape, created by the celebrated gardener ‘Capability’ Brown, is full of picture-perfect viewpoints, winding paths, lakeside walks and classical temples. Drop by the café to add an extra homemade treat to your hamper. There’s everything from mouth-watering cheese scones and sausage rolls to indulgent slices of cake, so all you need to do is bring a rug and choose a spot to enjoy the view. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
East Blickling Estate, Norfolk
With a shimmering lake, shady woodland, colourful garden and rolling green parkland, you’re never far from an idyllic picnic spot at Blickling. Take a stroll around the grounds to find your picture-perfect setting. After tucking in, set the kids loose in the secret garden and ancient temple, and smell the wonderful citrus trees in the orangery. The whole family can also hire bikes and segways to explore the park, with every penny going towards conserving the beautiful landscape. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate
Flatford, Suffolk
Flatford Mill is right in the middle of Dedham Vale, part of the rolling Essex landscapes that inspired Constable’s idyllic rural paintings. This is great walking countryside, so why not pack a rucksack full of treats and head out onto the trails for a day of family fun. There are plenty of spots along the way to relax by the water’s edge and enjoy your feast. Or you can even hire a boat from the nearby boathouse and row down river to see the beautiful surroundings from a new perspective. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
Admire the views of the recently restored Gothic Tower at Wimpole Estate with a picnic in the north park. The 18th-century tower, designed to look like a picturesque medieval ruin, makes a picture-perfect backdrop for any picnic. You’ll be able to see right across the estate as you enjoy the peace and tranquillity of your surroundings. Afterwards, take a stroll around the gardens and woodland and find out how Wimpole’s gardeners are using greener gardening techniques to safeguard the future of this glorious estate. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate
Midlands Berrington Hall, Herefordshire
Enjoy the splendour of Berrington Hall’s ‘Capability’ Brown parkland from the comfort of your picnic rug this summer. The lake at the centre of the park is a haven for wildlife, carefully cared for by Berrington’s gardeners and rangers. Herons, mute swans, great-crested grebes and much more live there so there’s always something to see. Afterwards take a stroll around the walled garden to see the flourishing orchard, flower borders and vegetable patch. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/berrington-hall
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and take the time to get closer to nature at Clumber Park. Whether it’s cycling, orienteering or a gentle stroll you’re after, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun with all the family. Afterwards you can enjoy a shady picnic in the woodlands or overlooking the glittering lake. The kids can climb, swing and run around in the play park, try out some of the ‘50 things’ activities or pick up a family tracker pack to see what they can find. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park
Croome, Worcestershire
Croome was Capability Brown’s first landscape garden and it’s the ideal place to relax with some tasty treats. When it comes to picnicking you’ll be spoilt for choice with tranquil spots overlooking lakes and rivers, next to statues, bridges, follies or classical temples. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained too, including a natural play area with den building and an exciting programme of walking trails to explore. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome
Wales Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle is packed full of fantastic places to picnic, each with their own charm. Relax in the Kitchen Garden with far-reaching views along Offa’s Dyke and into the Ceiriog Valley below, or up at the castle you can picnic and play in the meadow with views for miles across the Cheshire plain. Why not spread a blanket on the grass in the courtyard, or if it’s tranquillity you’re after then head to the terrace at the bottom of the gardens for beautiful views across Shropshire from the ha-ha. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle
Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire
Settle down for sandwiches at Dinefwr Park and keep an eye out for the resident fallow deer that have been roaming the land for 1000 years. What better place to lay down your picnic blanket than the only parkland National Nature Reserve in Wales. Stop beneath an old oak tree or next to a flower-rich hay meadow cared for by National Trust rangers and watch the world go by. There are some designated picnic benches on the estate too. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr
Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens, Anglesey
With atmospheric views across the Menai Strait and to Snowdonia’s mountains, and beautiful blooming gardens throughout the summer, it’s never hard to find a perfect picnic spot at Plas Newydd. Settle down with a hamper on the lawns to the north of the mansion and you’ll be rewarded with views of the Italianate Terrace, where hot borders are a virtual furnace of reds and oranges, including canna, rudbeckia and dahlia. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-newydd
North West Borrowdale and Derwent Water, Cumbria
Just five minutes’ walk from the quaint market town of Keswick, the Borrowdale Valley is a great place to get an introduction to walking in the Lake District. There are plenty of trails up onto the fells, or you can stick to exploring the pebbly shores around Derwent Water. Brandelhow on the western edge of the lake makes the perfect picnic location, with far-reaching views across the water and loads of space for the kids to run around in. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale-and-derwent-water
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Picnic on the Mill Meadow at Quarry Bank, set against the backdrop of the 18th-century Georgian cotton mill in the valley of the River Bollin. With scenic panoramic views and plenty of space to play in, it’s the ideal place for a day of fun in the sun. Quarry Bank even welcomes four-legged furry friends to its woodlands and gardens, so you can explore the estate as a whole family. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank
Wray Castle, Cumbria
Perched on the shores of Lake Windermere, this mock-Gothic castle with turrets and towers provides a great backdrop for a family day out. Settle down with a feast at the picnic tables just outside the castle and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views in all directions. Little visitors will be excited to know that there’s now a mini ‘treecastle’ in the outdoors play area, so after you’ve had your fill of feast why not head out for an adventure? www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle
Yorkshire and North East Beningbrough Hall, York
Beningbrough’s gardens are full of secret nooks where you can picnic surrounded by flowers and wildlife. Or if you prefer a bit more space, why not throw the rug down on the south facing lawns and soak up some summer sun? If you’re hoping to build an appetite first you can borrow a bike for the day. There’s a selection of bikes and trikes on offer, and even one with a picnic-carrying carriage so you can tow along your lunch to your perfect destination. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough-hall-gallery-and-gardens
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire
On a glorious sunny day you can’t beat packing a picnic and heading for the abbey green. With acres of lush green grass and the stunning 800 year old abbey ruins as a backdrop, it’s not hard to find a picture-perfect spot. Afterwards, take a stroll among the trees on the edge of Studley Royal deer park or along the banks of the river Skell and see if you can spot some of the 500 wild red, fallow and Sika deer. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden
Wallington
A family day at Wallington isn’t complete without the chance to play games in the outdoors. Bring your Frisbee or football or set off towards the West Woods for a wild adventure. If you’re looking for a quieter spot to relax then why not set out a blanket and tuck into a picnic on the lawn at the end of the walled garden. Overlooking the little pond, it’s the perfect hide away for a tranquil afternoon. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington
Northern Ireland Rowallane Garden, County Down
Just a short drive from Belfast, Rowallane is a beautiful setting for a walk and picnic. During the summer the walled garden is brimming with colour, from egg-yolk yellow hypericum to bright pink shrub roses. There are plenty of picnic benches around the grounds, or you can take a blanket and find your own hidden corner among the blooms. Head to the garden café for extra treats, where every penny you spend goes towards conserving places like Rowallane for summers to come. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden
The Argory, County Armagh
Deep in the green County Armagh countryside is a place where the mist rolls down to the River Blackwater and time stands still. Enjoy peaceful views of the river, running wild in the woods and adventure playground, and mulling over the sun dial. The Courtyard Coffee Shop is full of fresh, home-baked scones, sandwiches and cakes so you can grab an impromptu picnic while you’re there. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/argory
Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Build up an appetite for a picnic with a day of adventures at Florence Court. There are miles of glorious walks and cycle trails through the forest, a playground for little explorers and the opportunity to discover more about nature with adventure tracker packs. Take a stroll to visit the blacksmith’s forge and carpenters workshop, then relax with a picnic in the peaceful gardens and enjoy the mountain views. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/florence-court
Every single visit supports the National Trust’s conservation work, looking after special places for people to enjoy for years to come.
It’s that time of the year again when Cadbury teams up with the National Trust to offer families the ultimate day out with their popular Easter Egg Hunts.
This year, the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt (25 – 28 March*) will be inviting families to unleash their inner explorer with adventurous quests taking place across the country.
From spring woodlands and craggy coastlines, to historic houses and enchanting castles, there are over 250 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, guaranteeing a fun-filled Easter for everyone.
What’s more, everyone will be rewarded with a delicious Cadbury chocolate treat at the end of each completed hunt, and every single Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will help support special places looked after by the National Trust for future generations to explore.
To join in with the fun and find a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt near you, visit: www.cadbury.co.uk/easter
Conservation charity, National Trust, unveils a series of show-stopping topiary Easter bunnies to celebrate the ninth year of their partnership with Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts. Taking place at 271 National Trust locations over the Easter weekend (25 – 28 March), the special topiary bunnies will be on show at select National Trust places for visiting families to spot on their Egg Hunts. Helping to preserve special places for generations to come, the National Trust anticipates over 3 million visitors over the course of the weekend, and has received an impressive 362,592 Cadbury chocolate bunnies in preparation.
London & South East
Mottisfont, Hampshire
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 10 April, 10am – 5pm
Ancient trees, bubbling brooks and rolling lawns frame this lovely house. Crafted from a medieval priory, it is full of surprises, both inside and out. Pick up an Easter hunt sheet, full of brain teasers and craft activities. Follow the trail to discover giant eggs hidden around the grounds, and complete challenges with your family to earn a delicious Cadbury treat.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
At the end of the Northern Line deep in the heart of sprawling south London, you can step off the train and hop into the countryside at Morden Hall Park. This Easter, families are invited to follow a special hunt, with clues that will have you searching high and low through tree-lined paths and riverside lawns. To top it all off, each egg hunter is rewarded with a yummy Cadbury chocolate treat.
Price: £4 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
This Easter embark on a quest to awaken Sleeping Beauty from her slumber, and in return claim your delicious chocolate treat. Fairy-tales, myths and legends have been weaved through the garden, where chivalrous knights and courageous princesses will hunt for clues. The quest will take you past mystical lakes and deep into the Sleeping Wood to claim your egg and finish on a happily ever after.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at Chartwell, 25 March – 10 April, 11am – 4pm
This year, discover Easter characters from the 1920s era as they take you on a good old-fashioned adventure around Chartwell. The Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will wind through the natural play areas and finish with a delicious chocolatey treat. Afterwards, stick around for more Easter related fun and grab a chick-shaped shortbread in the café.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Woolbeding Parkland, West Sussex Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Nature Trail, 27 March, 10.30am – 3.30pm
Hop down to Woolbeding Parkland for an exciting day of Easter fun. There’ll be a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt down by the River Rother where adventurers can hunt to claim their Cadbury treat. Make a day of it and stay for crafty egg-decorating fun and all sorts of competitions from egg rolling and egg and spoon races, to face painting, an old-fashioned egg shy and creative craft activities. It’ll be hard to know where to begin!
Price: £3 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 10 April, 10am – 4pm
This dramatic Norman castle, perched on the top of a wooded hill is an impressive place for an Easter Egg Hunt. The quest will take noble explorers through the garden where they will solve clues to win the ultimate reward, a delicious Cadbury chocolate treat.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Conservation charity, National Trust, unveils a series of show-stopping topiary Easter bunnies to celebrate the ninth year of their partnership with Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts. Taking place at 271 National Trust locations over the Easter weekend (25 – 28 March), the special topiary bunnies will be on show at select National Trust places for visiting families to spot on their Egg Hunts. Helping to preserve special places for generations to come, the National Trust anticipates over 3 million visitors over the course of the weekend, and has received an impressive 362,592 Cadbury chocolate bunnies in preparation.
Complete with roaming deer and herds of cattle, Dyrham Park’s 270 acres of wild parkland is perfect for a day of adventure. And what better way to explore than on an action-packed Easter Egg hunt? Complete the hunts to claim your Cadbury chocolate treat, and afterwards take a look around the house, where tours will take you high above the roof of this 17th-century mansion to see the restoration works from a birds-eye view.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 10 April, 11am – 4pm
With acres of beautiful gardens and parkland to explore, including a kitchen garden with a royal reputation, you can have a great family day out at Kingston Lacy. This Easter help Bunny find all his giant egg creations around the garden. Each egg is different and some are easier to spot than others. Once you have found them all claim your very own Cadbury chocolate treat.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Head over to Knightshayes and revel in the Easter fun, where little explorers can hunt high and low for clues in the magnificent garden. There’s a yummy chocolate treat from Cadbury when you’ve completed the hunt. Stick around after for craft activities and face-painting.
Price: £3.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Lanhydrock Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 10 April, 10am – 4pm
Calling all Easter detectives, there’s a mystery to be solved! Head to Lanhydrock to uncover the clues while exploring the colourful garden, ancient woodlands and riverside paths. All detectives can claim their Cadbury chocolate treat once the mission has been completed. Afterwards head to the adventure playground for some wild play, or go on a family bike ride on the special family trails.
Price: £3 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Take a trip to Stourhead this Easter where egg hunters can explore through towering trees, by mystical grottoes and past a glittering lake. Make a day of it and bring a picnic, best enjoyed on the rolling lawns with views that stretch across the Wiltshire countryside. Afterwards, keep the family fun going and play giant games in the garden.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Enjoy a family day out at this eclectic home deep in the Suffolk countryside. Join the ever-popular Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt to solve the clues and claim your chocolate treat. Afterwards why not test your skills in the egg and spoon races or try your hand at some colouring in the crafts corner.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Easter is named after Eostre – the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the radiant dawn, so what better place to celebrate than here at Sutton Hoo. Discover the secrets of the Anglo-Saxons on the fabulous Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt and collect your chocolate treat at the end.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 8 April, 10.30am – 4.15pm
Take a trip to this beautiful country home complete with a working farm and resident bunnies. Rhyming clues will lead you on an egg hunt around the gardens, but to claim your chocolate treat you’ll have to find the hidden magic word.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Go on a woodland hunt to learn all about the wildlife of Kinver Edge, and find your chocolatey treat awaiting you at the end. Afterwards, take a stroll around the unique rock houses, carved by hand out of the sandstone ridge, and let off some steam on the Adventure Play Trail.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Explore Attingham’s vast parkland this Easter and follow a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt to unravel the clues and claim a chocolate treat. Continue the family fun with spring activities and a good old run-around in the playfield.
Price: £2.50 per egg hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Upton’s gardens are worth exploring at any time of year, and even more so when there’s chocolate at stake. Discover the great outdoors on this Easter Egg Hunt through the sweeping lawns and colourful flowers. Afterwards, have a go at the Wellington boot trail and see if you can spot some spring wildlife.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
This Easter there will be no less than four days of family fun, with the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt through the Pleasure Grounds and across the mansion site, along with mini children’s rides and activities such as face painting and a BBQ. And if that’s not enough, there’s the whole park to explore on foot or by bike with plenty of wildlife to spot.
Price: £3 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Perched on the edge of the stunning Lake Windermere with rolling lawns and views up to the mountains, Fell Foot couldn’t get much more idyllic. Enjoy an action-packed day out in this glorious park with a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, traditional Lakeland Egg rolling, family-friendly games and much, much more.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
This Easter make a splash and visit Wray Castle nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere to discover turrets and towers fit for a knight in shining armour. Have fun exploring this quirky building, weaving your way through woodland and rambling along the lakeshore, solving clues along the way in order to claim your Cadbury chocolate treat.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Enjoy the great outdoors at this activity-packed Easter Egg Hunt in the wild Ennerdale Valley. There’s a Cadbury chocolate treat waiting for you at the end too. Starting at the Bowness Knott car park, the hunt will take you on an adventure around the lakeshore, through the woodland and along the forest track with loads to discover along the way. Perhaps you’ll find a Tree Spirit, help the Easter Egg Tree to grow or hear a woodland tale.
The Earl and the Countess are coming to Dunham Massey for a picnic to celebrate their wedding but the food is hidden all over the garden! Can you save the day and follow the hunt to find the food? It’s hungry work, so chocolate treats will be plentiful at the end.
Glorious gardens and woodlands surround this magnificent Tudor manor house. Venture through the blooms of daffodils and bluebells to solve the clues on the Easter Egg Hunt and receive your delicious Cadbury treat. Once you’ve finished the quest why not head to the house and see if you can track down all the run-away chicks? They’re counting on you!
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 3 April, 11am – 4pm
Amble down to Wallington’s West Wood for a wild Cadbury Easter Egg hunt amongst the trees. This rambling wildlife haven is complete with red squirrels and a bubbling river. Follow the hunt through the woods, keeping an eye out for resident wildlife, and claim your yummy Cadbury treat at the end. Why not top the day off with a hearty family picnic and a game of Frisbee?
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
I spy with my little eye… an Easter bunny! This spring at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal little bunnies have been hoppety-hopping around the estate. Head over bridges of the river Skell, explore around every corner of the Abbey ruins, and follow the waterways of the Georgian gardens to find them and get a yummy Cadbury chocolate treat. There’ll be lots of family fun along the way too, including crafts in Swanley Grange and a brand new adventure playground.
Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Join the Easter fun on these beautiful windswept sand dunes, where an Egg Hunt will have you searching high and low to discover the hidden treasure. Murlough is a wonderland of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for seals and resident seabirds as you explore.
Price: £1 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
The Easter Bunny has made a hunt around the farmyard and gardens at Ardress House. Follow the clues to unlock the tasty Cadbury treat. Stick around afterwards to explore the apple orchards and feed the resident chickens. And on Easter Sunday there’ll be games, face painting and more family fun.
Where could be better to enjoy Easter than in the beautiful wooded estate surrounding this country house in County Armagh. Solve the clues to find the Cadbury chocolate treats with this fantastic hunt around The Argory Estate. Enjoy some eggstra fun on Easter Monday and Tuesday with face painting, games and more fun for all the family.
Bounce down to Springhill this Easter where you can search the house and grounds for clues on the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt. After you claim your delicious chocolate treat, why not stay for extra fun on the natural play hunt, or join in the face painting and games on Easter Sunday and Monday.
The Easter bunny will be hopping over the wall into Erddig’s beautiful garden to offer families the ultimate day out with a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt. Unleash your inner explorer to solve the clues dotted around the garden and outbuildings to claim a delicious Cadbury chocolate treat. Once you’ve completed the egg hunt there’s more fun to be had inside the house where some special Easter chicks are hiding, can you spot them all?
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
Bunny has hopped over the Menai Strait and has been up to his tricks again. He’s hidden clues for you to find all around the gardens at Plas Newydd. Help us find them and claim your special Cadbury chocolate treat. You can even take part in the famous Easter Sunday egg rolling race after, or head to the Dairy Wood for some wild time in the adventure playground.
Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply)
The cheeky Easter Bunny has hidden clues behind the front doors of our woodland friends’ houses, dotted around the woods and garden. And that’s not all, while he was busy setting his clues, Bunny’s family have disappeared. Can you help him find his family, who are lost inside the castle? After you’ve helped Bunny and claimed your chocolate treat, there’s even more fun to be had with fluffy-eared team games and Easter crafts galore.
Price: £2 per egg hunt (normal admission charges apply)
* Some Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts will be running for an extended period over the Easter holidays, please visit www.cadbury.co.uk/easter for more details.
National Trust membership offer
This Easter, if you take out a National Trust membership by Direct Debit, you’ll receive access to over 500 special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland that can be enjoyed all year around. Any new membership taken out with Direct Debit over the Easter weekend at a National Trust place will receive a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt voucher, valid until Monday 28 March. The voucher entitles the holder to free, unlimited Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts on presentation at a participating property – the voucher is multi-use. The cost of the hunt bought on the day of taking out a membership to the National Trust will also be refunded. Plus every membership helps the National Trust carry on looking after these special places and spaces for ever, for everyone.
We’ve wanted to go on the Bluebell Railway for a long time now, but never seemed to time it right. We finally went on New Year’s Eve, driving down to Sheffield Park where it starts, making it with minutes to spare.
From Carshalton to Sheffield Park on a good day it takes an hour, which isn’t bad at all – we bought tickets for the Fairy Godmother Specials (£17.50 per adult, £9.00 per child – slightly more than a standard all-line return), which gives you third class seats plus you get a mince pie and are served drinks. After a crazy end of year I was more than happy to sit down, watch the world go by and drink a glass of white wine.
For H’s ticket she got a pack of smarties, a balloon character made (Tigger!) and a little bag with a toy lion in it which was lovely.
The journey there and back took around two hours, and it was good to switch off and take in the Sussex countryside.
Afterwards we decided to head up the road to Sheffield Park, a National Trust place we’ve never visited. Our main purpose was to grab some food, and then spend their last hour open of 2015 wandering around the grounds. They had a trail which immediately appealed to H, looking for various wicker sculptures (A Winter’s Trail) around the grounds – so once we had eaten we headed out – and it was fairly easy to do in an hour.
One sculpture had blown away, but otherwise there were eight sculptures of varying designs dotted around the grounds which H loved finding (as well as stopping to splash in a few puddles). Sheffield Park is a landscape garden with much of the layout and design coming from Capability Brown, who worked on a few gardens and houses we’ve been to.
Sheffield Park has many lakes, joined together with interesting bridges, walkways, paths and gardens. You can hear the whistle from the Bluebell Railway from time to time as you walk around, but most of all you can breathe; the fresh, crisp country air is all around you.
We arrived at Sheffield Park train station for the 12.15 train, and left Sheffield Park National Trust at 4pm – and could have stayed for longer too!
Calling all young nature lovers! The National Trust on Headley Heath is inviting guests to join them on a children’s night time stroll looking out for glow worms. Well worth the late night at the start of the summer holidays, the walk, which will be held on Friday 24 July from 9 -11pm, is a special chance to see these rare bugs. Suitable for ages 5+, the short walk will start with a warming hot chocolate and an introduction to the magical world of these glowing insects.
Ranger Will Frost, who has looked after Headley Heath for the past 4 years says “glow worms are usually found on grassy slopes, verges and hedge banks on heaths and open grasslands, especially in chalky and limestone areas. We’ve spotted them over several years on Headley Heath and we can’t wait to share the magic of them with our younger visitors. Truly a magical sight and one that they’ll remember for years to come”.
Suitable for ages 5+, tickets for the event cost £6 per person and need to be booked in advance by calling 01372 220644. The event, which will start at 9pm will last until approximately 11pm.
Did you know? Five facts about glow worms:
There are four types of glow worm: Tropical, U.S., New Zealand and European.
They are neither worm nor fly, but are in fact beetles, resembling woodlice more than a beetle with the female glowing strongest to attract the male.
They are most commonly seen between late May to September. They glow for a few hours at a time and usually stop after mating.
Adult glow worms can’t feed and live only 14 days. The adult female glow worm has a glowing life of only a few weeks until she mates and dies shortly afterwards.
The light from the glow worm is cold and is a form of Bioluminescence. It is caused when a molecule, luciferin, is oxidised to produce oxyluciferin with the enzyme luciferase acting as a catalyst in the reaction.
Polesden Lacey is holding a competition in search of their ‘Photographer of the Year’ for 2015.
The property itself is a photographer’s playground offering bags of inspiration, including sweeping views, idyllic formal gardens and Edwardian interiors crafted by the gentlemen who designed the Ritz. This year’s competition asks for photographs on the theme ‘Celebration of Colour’ capturing the vivid colours of Polesden Lacey wherever they might be found.
Ten finalists will be selected, one of whom will be named Polesden Lacey’s ‘Photographer of the Year’ and win the prestigious Spectrum Award. All finalists, including the winner, will have their work made large as photographic installations and displayed throughout the grounds at Polesden Lacey in their Autumn photography exhibition, which begins in September.
The judging panel will be made up of Polesden Lacey staff including Head of Collections, Jonathan Marsh, and one of Polesden’s top volunteer photographers, Eddie Hyde.
“People love sending us their photos of Polesden,” says Camilla Morgan, Polesden Lacey’s Marketing Officer. “Some of the photos are so beautiful that they end up in our leaflets or on the website. The competition is a way for us to showcase the work of our most talented visitors.”
You can enter the competition by liking Polesden Lacey’s Facebook page and posting up to two photos on their wall. You must include the words ‘Celebration of Colour’ in your post. You may also enter via email but everyone is advised to read more about how to enter the competition, including the rules, terms and conditions on the Polesden Lacey website. The submission deadline is midnight on Friday July 31st.
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