We love Hatchlands Park so we were thrilled to learn it’s now open all year round. We really miss it in Winter, not just because it’s close but the setting is wonderful. It’s perfect for POD who loves the green space but also Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren which is a natural adventure area for children.

Managed by the National Trust, the park spans 400 acres comprising ancient woodland, open parkland, formal gardens, a wild flower meadow, a bluebell wood, five walking trails, two ponds, one ice house, lots of picnic spots, a stone temple plus fields with cattle, sheep and horses.

So where do we go first? The tea-room of course! Recently refurbished, there’s a brilliant selection including some rather delectable cakes. Our sustenance included tasty flapjacks and great tasting coffee.

After re-fueling POD took the opportunity to stand in the Old Stables courtyard and shout “gecko, gecko”. This was so she could hear her voice echo. Somehow ‘gecko’ has stuck much to the amusement of passers-by. The courtyard was once home to the kitchen, stables, servant’s quarters, coach house and laundry.

What’s brilliant about going for a walk when its rained the day before are the puddles. POD found some amazing ones to wade through and discovered mud is perfect for making footprints! Although the walk to Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren isn’t very far, it took a while as POD had to test every puddle.

The natural adventure area is located in the middle of the Great Wix Wood. On offer are hand-crafted willow tunnels, domes, balance beams, sculptures and a totem pole. There are also wood piles for den building (must cross this off our 50 Things list!) and picnic benches. As you’d expect POD tried out just about everything completely wearing herself out in the process!

The walk back towards the house was just as entertaining as the walk from it although someone required a little piggy back from her Daddy. We were so pleased to see new paths at Hatchlands, we must explore these next time. There is longer walk (4km) which follows the perimeter of the entire estate which sounds great (the Wix Woods walk is 2km).

Back near the house, POD gave us a rendition of “Twinkle twinkle chocolate bar, Daddy drives a rusty car” before looking on while Daddy scrubbed his boots. It was then time for another visit to the tea-room before heading off to explore an antiques market. Thank you for opening in Winter Hatchlands, I’m sure you’ll see us a lot!

Linking up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast.