Exploring Hatchlands Park

We always enjoy Hatchlands Park with its parkland and ancient trees. Owned by the National Trust, it’s one of the nearest properties to us along with Clandon Park.

The house was built in 1756, replacing a Tudor house on this estate and was designed in the Palladian tradition. Today the mansion is a family home, containing tenant Alec Cobbe’s collection of paintings and fine furniture. Also on display is the Cobbe Collection, Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments associated with famous composers.

Hatchlands Park re-opened for the season this month. Although we visited on a day the house wasn’t open, we could still admire it’s beauty – POD asked if we could live there! As we were heading towards Wix Woods, we could still see the temple and an ancient tree with hundreds of daffodils and Spring blooms beneath it.

We came across lots of beautiful cows with shiny coats en route. They kept their distance (this photograph was taken with a 250mm lens) but POD loved them. Initially she wanted to play with them but we managed to distract her attention by talking about where milk comes from and showing her where the cows go for a drink.

We’d purposely not taken the buggy with us so it was great to see POD having a race to the Wix Woods gate with Daddy. She won.

They then thought it would be highly entertaining to hide from Mummy behind the gate while holding it shut! 

POD has always been a climber and adores clambering onto trees as a result. The Great Wix Wood provided the perfect opportunity to do this and make silly faces with Daddy. She loved this tree!

We then headed over to the Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren which is a natural adventure area for children. The she took advantage of the stepping stones, the willow tunnels and admiring the sculptures including the wonderful totem pole. She also got to see a bird grabbing a bite from one of the many feeders and watch some older children build a den.

She requested Daddy follow her on the balance beam where we spotted Wizard Wix himself.

Just up from the Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren is Little Wix Wood where there will soon be the most wonderful display of bluebells. Last year we even spotted fairies much to POD’s excitement. As we’ll be back soon, next on the agenda today was more tree climbing and looking for trolls.

POD found a big stick too which doubled up as a wand although she didn’t manage to turn this tree into a frog.

With the rain clouds fast approaching, POD hitched a ride with Daddy to the Tea Room. We made it to cake just in time! POD took it upon herself to bow to an invisible Prince while we were there. It was an impressive bow with much arm swirling – Disney would have been proud!

After re-charging we had a good look round the stable

before exploring the NGS Quiet Garden. The formal gardens at Hatchlands are open when the house is so we’re looking forward to seeing Gertrude Jekyll Garden and the house. There’s also a wildflower meadow we’ve not seen yet – cowslips can be seen in Spring and orchids in the Summer.

After displaying superb balancing skills, there was just time for POD to grab a side saddle piggy back before we headed home.

 Linking up with Country Kids at Coombe Mill, Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse and What’s The Story? here on PODcast.

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