Winkworth Arboretum is somewhere you can visit all year round but it really is spectacular in autumn. Created back in the early 20th century by Dr Wilfrid Fox, who used plants to paint a picture in the landscape, the best views can be found on the edge of the Magnolia Wood, at the top of the Azalea Steps and the eastern Meadow. Not forgetting my favourite place, the lakeside boathouse.
If you’re a regular reader of our family travel blog you’ll know our overseas travels are typically based on discovery, adventure and exploration. Before POD was born we’d travelled extensively. From South East Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to the Caribbean, South America and Australia where I lived for two years. Not to mention sun, ski and city breaks in Europe. When we became parents, we didn’t stop travelling we just went about it in a different way. POD loves being an adventurer and there are huge benefits to showing her the world. Here are just a few of the reasons we believe it’s good for kids to travel in whatever guise that might be.
Just over a week ago we were enjoying thirty-degree temperatures in Sardinia – even hotter in Venice the week prior. Our return to the UK seemed to be marked by the arrival of autumn. Gone are the maxi dresses, sandals and sunnies, replaced with long sleeved tops, trousers and boots. Even the favourite leather has made an appearance. While we acclimatise ourselves to these cooler temperatures, I can’t help get a little excited. You see autumn is one of my favourite seasons and I relish capturing those red, orange and gold hues.
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How amazing has the last few weeks been? Don’t get me wrong we enjoy the great outdoors whatever the weather but it’s so nice when the sun shines all day long and there’s barely a cloud in the sky. Unsurprisingly we’ve escaped to the beach a few times recently to breath in that wonderful sea air before paying our local lavender field a visit where we mostly played hide and seek amid those purple hues.
Situated around 15 miles from London in Banstead is Mayfield Lavender. We’ve visited this 25-acre farm on a few occasions since we moved to Surrey in 2010. At the right time, you can expect to see row upon row of purple hues and the smell of lavender is delicious. It can get busy at weekends during the peak period (July and August) so it’s worthwhile going Monday to Friday if you can. We didn’t have that luxury this time around so last Sunday, we set off early with the view to visiting before the masses descended. A lavender farm in full bloom is so worth setting the alarm for, isn’t it?
How amazing has the weather been recently? We were thrilled to come back from holiday to find the UK basking in sunshine, potentially more so than Corsica if I’m honest. We had such a brilliant time though. A really good week away which largely involved POD trying just about every activity Mark Warner had on offer! From sailing, windsurfing and kayaking to tennis, badminton and volleyball – she just didn’t stop! It’s been a very busy time what with work and heading off again shortly after our holiday. I wouldn’t change a thing though, we relish exploring new places.
Much as we enjoy Surrey and the surrounding countryside, we relish a visit to the coast too. Perhaps it’s the sound of the waves that provides the instant sense of calm. Maybe it’s POD’s sheer delight at being able to build sand castles, hunt for shells and jump the waves. Whatever it is West Wittering in Sussex is one of our favourite beaches with its miles of sand, sand dunes and colourful beach huts.
Much as we love travelling abroad (check out POD Travels to see what we’ve been up to), we’re very fond of exploring the UK too. We’re fortunate in that we’re surrounded by the most wonderful countryside in Surrey but we do relish escaping to the coast on occasions too. With the likes of Littlehampton just an hour away, it’s easy to lose a few hours on the beach. There’s something so calming about hearing the sound of the waves, feeling the wind on your cheeks and breathing in that fresh sea air isn’t there?
Having been a climber even before she could walk, we always presumed POD would relish taking to the trees. But her first experience of a treetop adventure, at Center Parcs last year, didn’t quite go to plan. She had to be rescued after accidentally letting go of a zip wire rope which led to her dangling mid-air. The heavy rain that followed didn’t ease the situation that’s for sure although she was back to her usual chirpy self after a hot chocolate.
Isn’t it wonderful when you’ve lived somewhere for a few years and still make new discoveries? The Sculpture Park near Farnham in Surrey is one with another the brilliant British Wildlife Centre. Based in Newchapel near Lingfield, the centre is designed to educate the public about different species living in the wild. The British Wildlife Centre has been open since 2000 with the founder’s inspiration for the centre coming from pioneering conservationists like Gerald Durrell, Sir Peter Scott and John Aspinal.
