We decided to join the National Trust this year for the first time as an incentive to get us out and about. We have already researched all the places we can visit nearby and plan to visit as many as possible as well as venturing further afield during the school holidays. We ventured out on our first journey last week to a fairly local place, Packwood House. We pre-booked as it’s busy at Easter Time and the kids were excited to do the Cadbury Egg Hunt.
We always have the problem of not knowing where to go or not having enough money. We love visiting places of history and information so the National Trust properties should be great for us. Then you have the wide open spaces and gardens which will be great for the kids to run around and explore.
Packwood House is a Tudor House originally built in the 16th Century but much restored. It is in Lapworth, Warwickshire. There are other National Trust properties to visit nearby if you are travelling far.
Before we looked around the house the kids embarked on their Easter Egg Hunt in the welly walk.
I had arrived in my wheelchair, but on entering I was asked if I would like to use the ‘Stomper’ which was a four wheeled mobility scooter! Hubby Graham said yes straight away, it’s hard work for him pushing me around. It’s good when I can get around by myself because it leaves Graham free to run around with the kids, and keep a closer eye on them. As it happens, it worked out even better for us because I couldn’t get through into the welly walk Egg Hunt as the entrance was a ‘kissing gate.’ It wasn’t just the scooter, I wouldn’t have got through in my wheelchair either and we probably would have had to abandon the hunt altogether. So, Graham was able to go on ahead with the kids while I went back to the other buildings with Star who wasn’t feeling very well. We rested and waited for the others to catch us up.
Then we had a picnic before continuing on to explore the house and it’s gardens.
I think the house is best described by the photos I took, so here are some collages.
The kids enjoyed looking around the house and were excited at finding the carrots which earned them a special sticker before they left.
I didn’t mange to get upstairs, so I’m afraid I’ve no photos of the bedrooms myself, but here is a college of the ones my hubby took.
The kids were mostly in there element while out in the gardens of Packwood House though. They loved running through the giant Yew Trees which were really impressive and I was so jealous that I couldn’t get up the steps to them.
They also enjoyed walking around the lake and viewing the gorgeous bluebells which where everywhere. Really exciting was the Inside Out House, which was built from bits of furniture from inside the house.
What a great idea, building a house from old furniture, I wish I could do something like this!
We had a lovely day out and will definitely visit again, maybe for a picnic in the summer, and hopefully Star will be feeling better too.
We just joined NT during the Easter holidays too! Packwood does look lovely and definitely "doable" for us so will have to go and look at it. The 'stomper' does sound pretty cool – it's great how more and more places have mobility scooters ect that can be hired out.
This looks like a lovely place to visit. We are big fans of the National Trust. They are always so child friendly and for a very reasonable monthly cost, you get to visit such wonderful places. Thanks for sharing #countrykids
National trust membership is a really good investment, we did it a couple of years ago and if I'm honest we left it too late, the kids were past the play areas and challenges and not interested in the architecture and gardens. Your 3 are at a perfect age to take full advantage of all they have to offer. Looks like you started in style with the Easter egg hunt and I'm impressed with the scooter idea, that was so thoughtful and it sounds like it made a real difference for you all. I hope Star is feeling better now.
Thank you for sharing an insight into Packwood House on #CountryKids
We joined NT last year and haven't looked back, in fact it encouraged us to visit Brimham Rocks when in York this month where we wouldn't have considered it before. It looks like a brilliant trip out for you all #CountryKids
Wr have just renewed as its such great value for money! Looks an awesome property #CountryKids
National Trust membership is great, we had the Home Ed one last year and enjoyed using it. The place you went looks great too #countrykidsfun
I grew up in Knowle,near Packwood House. I used to love exploring the gardens as a child. I absolutely love that quirky little wooden house! #CountryKids
the stompers and scooters you can borrow are fantastic. Buying your own power chair is really expensive and it's hard to get one that fits in the boot of the car. And I know hubby has trouble pushing me around on uneven ground.
we'll be visiting a lot more NT places now for sure, and the price is good, especially when you can pay monthly.
Star is feeling much better now thanks x Yes, I think my kids are the perfect ages to get the most out of our NT membership. I'm sure we'll make good use of it and I'll be sure to share our adventures with Country Kids.
Yes, that 's what we are hoping for, the encouragement to visit places we wouldn't normally consider.
I really was awesome 🙂
It was a great place and hopefully the first of many.
The inside out house was lovely and we drove through Knowle on the way home.
That place looks amazing!! I Just love that inside outside house!!!! Definetly some where to visit one day. #CountryKids
wow what a great place! We used to have NT membership and there really are so many beautiful places to explore x
What an an interesting place, loving the look of the house and your hubby did well with that picture, very iconic. Mich x #countrykids
We have had National Trust passes for a little while and I think they must be the best purchase we have made with regards to days out. We often try and pick up properties when we are travelling too various parts of the UK. Love the carrots in the house such a great touch. #CountryKids
We enjoyed taking part in one of the NT Easter hunts last weekend too. This looks like a great place to visit, I absolutely love the little house made out of old bits of furniture – what a fantastic idea!
What an interesting house the one made from furniture is and a carrot hunt sounds very different as well as fun. #CountryKids
Glad that Graham was able to go with the children for the Easter hunt but what a shame it wasn't more accessible. Sorry to hear that Star wasn't feeling well – hope she is feeling better now. Packwood House looks like an interesting place to visit. I love the house made from old furniture. #CountryKids
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