We're very lucky to have so many great National Trust properties near us in Kent. One particular favourite is Ightham Mote. I used to take the children there when they were little, and now there's even more to see with grandchildren.
A couple of weeks ago Giovanna and I took Luca there for 'a 'venture', as he calls it. We were lucky to have a sunny day, but either way it's a lovely place to expand children's imaginations. Never mind DVDs and games consoles, they have nothing on getting out into the fresh air to have fun, and even learn a thing or two.
(If you click on the photos, you can see bigger versions of them.)
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| A great place to play Pooh sticks, which is exactly what we did! |
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| A twisted old tree - good for looking at texture. |
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| They have wonderful veg and flower gardens, where Luca can learn the names of plants and what vegetables look like when they're in the ground. They're a feast for at least four of the senses and Luca in particular likes to smell them.  |
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| Tree stumps looking like a line of gnarled old magical beings - fodder for story telling, along with the tree 'graveyard' below. They're almost like bones.  |
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| At one end of the walk they've created a natural playground, made from the wood lying around, with a babbling brook running through. |
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| There's a twig tunnel that Luca liked to run up and down. |
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| Handy deckchairs to sit back in and enjoy the ambiance. We got Luca to close his eyes and tell us what he could hear. |
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| The joy of running in the open air. |
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| Pottering and finding treasures - usually sticks or stones! |
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| A bank of buttercups - just because they're so pretty! |
We had a fun-filled day, and didn't even get to go in the lovely old house. We'll have to save that for a future adventure.
More information on Ightham Mote
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What a lovely blog, and great pictures. As you know I am in total agreement about the importance of the outdoors for stimulation and learning. I utterly despair of parents who allow their offspring to gawp vacuously at screens. I was brought up in a very small town with easy access to plenty of green play areas.I also spent my summers on Grandad's farm with kittens and puppies for companions. When I see children walking and playing in places like Trosley Country Park I'm always inordinately pleased. It's the feeling that children need to experience the countryside and to learn to love it.They are the custodians of its future.AJ
ReplyDeleteI quite agree, AJ. Giving our children (and grandchildren) a love of and interest in the countryside is an investment. Both Luca's and Phynn's parents have a time limit on using technology, even for Phynn's big brother who's eleven.
ReplyDeleteI am originally a Kentish maid - I've only lived in Cambridgeshire for seven years. We were down in Kent last weekend and nearly visited Ightham Mote, although my husband is sure we've been there before (if we have, I don't remember it). Unfortunately our plans were ruined by a water leak he had to sort for my Mum, but it's definitely on the visit list. I completely agree with you that a balance must be struck between screen time and physical activity outdoors - for kids *and* adults! As for Trosley Country Park - love it! And have been there many times. And Camer... and Shorne... :) Last year we went to Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park in Faversham. I highly recommend it if you haven't been - a great mix of countryside and history right under your feet.
ReplyDeleteTrosley Park is also a favourite of ours, Alison! And it's only about fifteen minutes away, which is ideal. There's such a wonderful view of the Vale of Kent and the Weald from there. At Christmas, Ightham Mote had an indoor activity for children where they had to spot various Christmas decorations as they went round. Luca loved it. The house, though only small, is well worth a look in. I've never heard of Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park so I must look it up and give it a go. We're always looking for new places.
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