National Trust Fun at Felbrigg

Ever since our brief visit to the walled gardens at Felbrigg during the summer I'd been itching to go back and explore the rest of the estate so on a warm and sunny Sunday in September we packed up a picnic and off we went.

We decided to do the circular walk to the church and lake first.

The children spent quite a while exploring the church and reading about the Wyndham family.

Harry wasn't too happy about sharing the field with the sheep!

We loved the silhouette of this tree in the sun.

Taking care to avoid the wildlife the children held a stone-throwing contest seeing who could make the biggest splash. I think Harry won.

Peekaboo!

It was amazing being so close to a deer. It stood watching us for ages!

A walk in the countryside always needs a stick. The bigger the better.

Felbrigg Hall with the Jacobean Wing on the right and the west wing on the left. The text on the balustrade at the front says Gloria Deo In Excelsis which is Latin for Glory to God in the highest.

As we walked towards the orchard one of the volunteers gave us some feed for the chickens. The children were too afraid to get too close though so Dad had to do it. 

These Wyandette chicks were adorable.

We missed the greenhouses somehow last time. One of the walls was full of beautiful flowers.

This was divine and smells just like Mint Aero!

I don't know who Myrtle is but she's got a snazzy pad!

The natural play area was a big hit with the children last time we visited. I thought Molly would be too old but she loves getting in there and digging with her brothers.

There was still lots of colour in the garden. Earlier this month the Hall was decorated with produce from the garden for the Harvest. We planned to visit but we've just been so busy. 

Molly, Charlie and I left hubby and Harry playing in the walled garden while we went for our first ever visit to the hall. Despite saying that National Trust properties are boring Charlie quite enjoyed looking around and reading about life in a stately home but he was a little upset when a rather overzealous volunteer in one room kept telling him off. He was obeying all of the Do Not Touch signs and was only leaning up against a table (which didn't have a sign on) but she almost slapped his hand away as he put it out to point something out to me. We moved on from the room quickly and I hope he hasn't been put off NT properties by her attitude. I understand that they are there to protect valuable and delicate displays but he wasn't showing any disrespect at all.  

This statue in one of the hallways made me chuckle. It's often a position that I find Molly in when she's picking at her feet. Disgusting girl!

There were signs asking if you could guess the use of various utensils and tools in this room and Charlie seriously thought this was an old-fashioned smoothie maker!

Molly & Charlie found this sign rather funny. I haven't yet found out why there was a charge on certain days during the summer months though. 

It was a lovely day out for us all and I'm hoping we can go back soon and explore the Victory V Woodland, planted in 1946 in memory of the last Squire's brother, as I would imagine it's particularly beautiful during autumn.