Having recently explored the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Abinger Roughs and Bookham Commons, last weekend was the turn of another National Trust site – Winkworth Arboretum. We last visited in Autumn (twice!) but it’s beautiful any time of year.
The wooded valley and lakes were the result of Dr Wilfrid Fox’s vision – it was his place to experiment with planting styles and tree species. He wanted to use plants to paint a picture that blended in with the beauty of the valley.
Sunday was the most glorious Spring day – sunshine, blue skies and mild weather. We were greeted with a spectacular display of daffodils when we arrived much to everyone’s delight.
This is what you see from the viewing platform – scenery so picture perfect, it’s almost like a postcard. If you’re looking for the feel good factor, just stand here for a few minutes and feel that fresh air hit your lungs.
Although there are access all areas routes suitable for those of us with a buggy, we chose to head down towards The Bowl. This leads to the Boat House and Rowe’s Flashe Lake which Daddy had not seen before.
The route we took was fairly gentle with wide steps so it was easy to navigate between the two of us.
The surroundings are fabulous. Not just the the snowdrop lined path but the The Bowl itself and the view looking back up where we’d just come.
The Bowl is an open space adorned with wonderful trees. POD quickly realised the grass was bouncy and it was the perfect place for her to ‘run off’ – once she’d checked we were behind her!
It was then a case of the more Daddy chased, the faster POD ran falling several times in the bouncy grass. After giggling on the ground in a way only a three year old can, she was back on her feet and off again.
If she wasn’t running, she was hiding behind trees and testing muddy puddles!
The boathouse and lake is a place of calm where you can admire the views and watch the ducks. Over the other side of the lake you can really appreciate it and the immense Magnolia Wood above.
The wetlands were once a lake and they’ve been left to redevelop naturally – they’re a fascinating sight at this time of year.
On my last visit the Azalea Steps were littered with red Acer leaves but now they’re framed with snowdrops and new signs of life. We didn’t take this route as we had the buggy but I love the walk from the Boathouse up the Azalea Steps to the woodland.
We always have a great time at the Winkworth Arboretum and how amazing to see daffodils. Surely this is a sign Spring is on it’s way?
If you enjoy this blog, please vote for us in the photography or family fun categories. We’d love to be nominated in the MAD Blog Awards 2014.
What a beautiful looking place. I love returning to such places throughout the year and seeing the seasonal changes. Lovely x
Me too they always look so so different! I love Spring, I hope it comes soon *stamps foot*
The boathouse looks so cool, I want to live in it! #HDYGG
Don’t blame you – the boathouse is awesome. If others hadn’t beaten us to it, I could have quite happily sat there for a few minutes watching ducks on the lake 🙂
oh my…. those first shots of the country with rolling hills and sheep…. swoon…. xx
Thank you Claudia – was such a great sight. Almost took your breath away for a second 🙂
Oh the dafs are not out here in the Frozen North, but as soon as they are we will take a trip to Wordsworths inspiration Farndale
I’m sure it won’t be long Jen, we have some buds in the garden now – very exciting! Always great to see daffodils, such lovely happy flowers 🙂
This looks like a beautiful place for a family day out. Good luck in the MADs – I’m hoping to be nominated in the family travel category.
Thank you Gretta and you too! It’s a great place for a family day out – the woodland is amazing too. Was so great to have a sunny day as well 🙂
I’ve seen a handful of daffodils in flower but nothing like as many as at Winkworth. I really love the picture of POD on the grass and Daddy chasing after her – my boys are able now to well and truly outrun me!
There were so many daffodils there Rosie, it was amazing. Such a joy to see. There are quite a few photos of Daddy chasing POD – she thought it was the best game ever 🙂
Just lovely! Thanks for sharing these photos
I’m soooooo over winter and need spring! My beautician had some daffodils at her salon when I went yesterday and I just smiled at them – I need more flowers in my life!
I recently posted 7 Tips For Throwing A Great BBQ
Thank you Michelle. I’m itching for Spring to arrive – I need flowers in my life too 🙂
Lovely photos!
Thank you 🙂
I love Winkworth we have only been once when staying in the area. I love Anglesey Abbey for our snowdrops. NT always have fab places! Looks like you all had a lovely day!
How wonderful Jo – Winkworth is fabulous. I went back twice in Autumn, the colours were incredible! I’ve not visited Anglesea Abbey but know of it – we love the National Trust 🙂
Gorgeous photos, it has been so nice to see some signs of spring this week.
It really has hasn’t it – nothing better than a sunny Spring day! Thank you 🙂
Another beautiful place! It is lovely seeing spring starting to arrive now and looking at your photos it looks as though it is here already!
Thank you – it would be so lovely if the weather would stay like this. It was a truly glorious day, just beautiful 🙂
That looks so beautiful. I would love to live in the boat house! 🙂 x
It would make such a great Summer house wouldn’t it. Probably a bit chilly in the Winter I’d imagine 🙂
we used to live near there, and i LOVED going as a child!
Small world – nice to re-capture those memories Laura! It is a wonderful place 🙂
Loving the pictures they are amazing .x
Aww thank you Hannah 🙂
Your photographs are beautiful, I’d love to visit some day.
You so should if you can Jenny, it’s fabulous – thank you 🙂
What a wonderful place to visit. The third photo made me gasp – it’s so beautiful. My idea of archetypal England perhaps?
It really is fabulous Kate. Was great to explore the lake together too especially on such a great day. Can’t wait to see the bluebells there 🙂
The daffodils really lifted my spirit. I can’t wait for my own to emerge 🙂
Great stuff, thanks Shell. They’re such sunny flowers aren’t they – I love them 🙂
I love that sweeping landscape shot and of course the lovely trees 🙂
Thank you Iona – it almost looks like a fuzzy postcard doesn’t it. Gorgeous 🙂
It looks like such a beautiful place. We have just joined the National Trust so hope to enjoy more places soon.
How brilliant, you’ll love the National Trust. We’re lucky we have lots within 10 miles so we get to alternate where we go and explore new places. Winkworth is beautiful – even more so on a gorgeous Spring day 🙂
Absolutely fantastic! I have no other words to describe the essence of spring your photos convey.
Thank you so much – they are full of the joys of Spring aren’t they 🙂
How lovely to get out and about. It really is starting to look like Winter is behind us. Whoop whoop!
I do hope so Emily, wouldn’t that be nice. Come on Spring!
What a gorgeous place! Looks like you had a brilliant time 🙂
Oh and does your daughter’s coat come in mummy-size? I love it!
Will have to check Monsoon – it’s such a great colour, rather fancy one myself! Winkworth is a fabulous place, just beautiful and even more so with the sunshine 🙂
It does feel very mild at the moment and we have some daffodils about to burst into flower in the garden. I hope things do warm up and help to reduce the water levels in flooded areas but you never know with this country. We could still have snow in March/April!
How exciting that the daffodils are coming – we have a few buds appearing too. I do hope we’ve seen the worst of it now and Spring is on it’s way. Would be awful if it snowed when everything had come up, let’s hope not!
Once again absolutely beautiful photos – we love being outdoors and it looks like you found a wonderful day to go exploring
Thank you very much – it was glorious, like a proper Spring day. Definitely the time for exploring with many smiles thrown in for good measure too 🙂
The daffodils look stunning – I haven’t seen a big clump like that this year. Must look out for them. Great pictures, it looks like a wonderful day.
Thank you very much – we had a great time there. So much to see and do, an awesome start seeing a carpet of yellow daffs 🙂
Totally love that boathouse!
It’s brilliant isn’t it Clare – such wonderful views from it too 🙂
The views and that little boathouse are lovely! We are planning on visiting the Devil’s Punch Bowl when the weather gets a bit better. The carpet of daffodils looks so cheerful 🙂
Just SO gorgeous. Do you think they’ll let us start a blogging commune there? Got to be worth asking 😉
The only daffs I’ve seen in the flesh so far have been on the sides of busy roads and I’m itching for a chance to get some photos of some. Bless little POD, springy grass really is the best thing! Just the loveliest photos Charly xx
Muchos love to you and yours and thanks for joining in and sharing again x
Gorgeous photos! We wanted to visit in autumn as apparently it’s meant to be stunning, but didn’t have the time! hopefully sometime this year 🙂 x
Such a beautiful place to spend a day.
I love bouncy grass, so much fun!
wow those are some amazing views
Beautiful photos and lovely place! Looks like it was a fun day 🙂
Super photos, as usual, Charly. Surrey must be sunnier than Suffolk – the National Trust garden we visited had hundreds of snowdrops but all their daffodils are still tightly closed up.
I can only imagine how rosy PODS cheeks are the amount you guys get out and about. More gorgeous photos (as ever)… love the blanket of daffodils; they’re a bit early aren’t they? X
You’re right, that scenery looks like a painting – stunning! The boat house is gorgeous, and I’d love to have a go on the walkway in the trees.
Wow this looks like such a gorgeous place to explore and sunshine too! The boathouse is so pretty too x
Oh, I had forgot ton about springey grass! So happy winter is on its way out 🙂
Looks like another lovely day out x x
I know of Winkworth but never knew about the Arboretum! It looks fab and I love your photo’s! The one of Daddy running up to Pod laying in the grass is great! #countrykids
I’m so jealous that you’re already getting to enjoy the spring. Winkworth Arboretum looks like a gorgeous place to visit. #countrykids
Such a beautiful place and yes, surely a sign spring is on the way? Hope so!
[…] Today was glorious Spring day and we had a lot of fun at the stunning Winkworth Arboretum. This is POD checking we were behind her before she ran off, tumbled in the bouncy grass, laughed and did it all again! You can read the Spring at Winkworth Arboretum post here. […]
I love that viewing platform! Off to check how far away that is from us…!
Looking at your photos you could be fooled in thinking that Spring is already here! What a very beautiful and picturesque place to visit throughout the year and witness the changing of the seasons. It looks like Pod had a wonderful time giving Daddy the run around, thanks for linking up and sharing your fun with Country Kids.
Yet another stunning NT place! I love the daffodil display – really does make me believe that Spring is nearly here. And bouncy grass sounds like fun for a three year old – glad there were no tears when she fell. Lovely day out again! #CountryKids
This place looks gorgeous. I love the boat house! Imagine living there?!
[…] Whether a boathouse and the wooded valley at Winkworth Arboretum, […]
[…] so much so we made two visits to take full advantage! In February we were greeted with daffodils, snowdrops and sunshine […]