Bank Holiday Monday saw us head over to National Trust owned Hatchlands Park. We last visited earlier this month but were enticed back by the prospect of ponies, bluebells and fairies!
Located in Surrey, the mansion is a family home containing paintings, fine furniture and keyboard instruments associated with famous composers. What we love about Hatchlands is the vast expanse of woodland – some 400 acres of parkland to be precise.
There are way-marked walks, a parterre garden, a quiet garden and a natural play area for children. With it being the Easter holiday, there was even more happening today including archery – a sport I used to play at school!
Once we’d collected our Eggsplorer Passport and journal for the Easter Egg Trail, first stop were the pony rides. POD hasn’t been on one before so it was an interesting wait in the queue watching them. We didn’t have to wait long before it was POD’s turn though.
She loved having a ride on Dotty the pony.
We continued the excitement with the Easter Egg Trail which involved looking for items for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. There was the clock that tells you when you are late and the Queen of Hearts,
a red cup, a cupcake with an orange cherry, a white rabbit and a golden frog.
There was lots of fun to be had along the way
and POD was rewarded with a Cadbury’s Easter Egg at the end.
We had a picnic next to the cowslips in the wildflower meadow before we devoured the egg. The sun was shining so it was a wonderful place to sit – or in POD’s case climb nearby trees!
Hatchlands Park is always a great place to visit but Spring is particularly special with all the bluebells in the Little Wix Wood.
The fairies were back which pleased POD and lots of other children no end. Spotting them in trees is even more exciting that seeing the bluebells if you’re three. Daddy ran out of names for them though so one did get called Bernard!
It was a great day with so many highlights. Top picks would have to be POD’s first pony ride and of course the blue carpet.
Linking up with What’s The Story? here on PODcast and Country Kids at Coombe Mill.
Thank you to everyone that nominated me in the BiB awards, I’m thrilled to be on the photography shortlist. You can see each of the categories and vote for your faves here.
Sounds (and looks) like a fantastic day. Love the Alice in Wonderland theme and the fairy called Bernard!
When your sorrounding is this pretty its inevitable to have some fab fun day =) Love your photos! Bernard is a nice name for a fairy!
Looks like a fab trail there! And POD looks very comfortable riding a pony- Boo loves riding ponies and donkeys at every possible opportunity, too! Gorgeous photos x
I remember you visiting before but the place has really come alive with all the Bank Holiday fun. It looks like the sort of house that needs to be busy and so suits a garden party. Lovely photos and what a lovely day it was.
Now THAT’s what I call a bluebell carpet! I hate to say this but POD is starting to look so grown up in these photos! I’ve never been to Hatchlands but I love the idea of their easter egg hunt – sounds fab!
Wow, those bluebells are beautiful. Lovely first pony ride. I really must check out some National Trust places, they always look so much fun 🙂
Wow how amazing! that easter egg hunt looks right up my street 🙂 First pony ride…. that’s it now for life if I am anything to go by xx
What a great shot of the bluebells-you managed it brilliantly. And you’re so lucky to have so many NT properties to explore on your doorstep. Looks like lots of fun 🙂
Beautiful pictures, as usual, Charly. I love the one of POD among the cowslips but she looks so grown up, bless her!
The pony ride must have been so exciting for POD! I loved the concept of the Egg Trail, it’s so different from the usual ones. Lovely place too 🙂
that is a cute pony. perfect for a little one! xx
What a great day out – so much to see and so much to do. I bet you all slept well after that!
Goodness, POD is starting to look so grown up! Love the bluebell carpet, and the pony ride and egg hunt look great fun. Bernard the fairy made me laugh out loud 🙂
First pony ride must have been the highlight of her little life so far. Amazing. I remember mine and I fell in love with riding after that. POD looks so happy. Love your little adventure here what great memories you all made. The bluebells are just gorgeous and the photos are all stunning as ever. I wish there was a beautiful location near by I really need to get out more. lol Outdoor kid pictures are so much more interesting and full of life. Love this post. Glad you had fun. Thanks for hosting.
Wow, what a fun easter egg hunt! T would’ve loved a pony-ride too, especially since she hasn’t bee on one yet. Lovely photos as usual 🙂
Aww what a lovely day and such beautiful photos of the bluebells! Love seeing woods full of bluebells at this time of year! Xx
Love the pictures of Pod riding the pony, she looks really happy with herself
I’m sad that we didn’t hang on in there at the car park to get into Hatchlands now! The bluebell woods look really beautiful. Mind you we had a great time on the Easter Egg trail at Clandon and goodness knows we didn’t need any more chocolate! JJ didn’t get to do a pony ride either because we didn’t have time but I suspect that he would have chickened out in the end anyway as he’s nervous around dogs let alone anything bigger!!
Wonderful post and what a lovely day out – love the Bluebells xx #whatsthestory
Looks like a fun day out. I always love looking at your photos–they always look so clear and crisp!
A day full of excitment! Love the shots of your daughter on the pony, very sweet. xx
Bernard is a great name! 🙂 lol looks like you had a fun day glad the weather was son nice.
I love your tree photos, so amazing. Great to add extras for everyone to spot throughout the day.
Looks like an amazing day! Love all the photos, wish i could have done the easer egg trail!
Those Bluebells are stunning and POD looks to have loved that pony ride. She’s getting so tall too, missed a few weeks of linking up – she’s shot up!
See she looks do happy on Dotty the pony and the tree and egg trail is so quirky and different. 🙂 looks a great day out!
Oops that wasn’t meant to start with “see”, I have no idea where that came from!
Just stunning-adore bluebells and where we have moved to overlooks open countryside with little ponies so hoping to get the boys on them soon! Fab post!
Love the idea of a mad hatter’s trail. x
[…] Bank Holiday Monday we visited National Trust owned Hatchlands Park in Surrey. POD did us proud when she took to her first pony ride with […]
What a glorious place to visit and my doesn’t POD look big in these pics?
How amazing did this day out look! Loving the magic of it all and POD looked super fabulous on that pony! #Whatsthestory x
The whole day sounds fantastic and she looks so cute on the pony.
What a fabulous time…. I can’t believe how much POD has grown – she’s really lengthened out – no longer the toddler, a proper little girl now. Loving the fairy in the tree! X
What a beautiful day out 🙂 xx you make it look so wonderful with your pictures xx
sounds like a fabulous day out- great pictures as always. Did you not get to go on the pony? #whatsthestory
Beautiful carpet of bluebells. So impressive. It does sound like a great day out, especially the pony ride. Not sure I woud have been patient enough to queue. Bernard is one of our fall back names. I believe it was used for an earwig last time! #CountryKids
so beautiful! I would love to visit, may have to take a trip here before the bluebell season finishes
Barbie fairies, Alice in Wonderland, chocolates, bluebells, a pony ride – what more could Pod ask for? (Actually would be ideal for my daughter!) #countrykids
Lovely photos… We’re not too far from Hatchlands, judging by the fun your little girl had, I think my two would love it! Aren’t the bluebells just gorgeous at the moment??,
I love the photographs especially the barbie fairy! What a lovely day you all had.
Your photographs have brought your day to life 🙂 looks like a fab day out, loving the trees!! #countrykids
Love the mad hatters tea party and the fairies. Sounds like a lovely day. Beautiful photos. #countrykids
What a lovely day out and a brilliant place. It looks magical!
The bluebells look so beautiful. Looking forward to taking my two to the local bluebell woods now. :-)x
I am absolutely in awe of your photography, beautiful post xx
Beautiful pictures and post, makes me want to go as we love fairies in this house x
Beautiful bluebells and a fun day. #countrykids
I LOVE bluebell photos – rich, vibrant and so glorious. They make me feel happy!
Great photos, as usual.
Looks like a great day #countrykids
Those pics of Pod riding the pony are adorable!
Hope you ticked off “climb a tree” in your NT 50 things booklet. 😉