Monday 9 December 2013

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

We love going to Waddesdon Manor as it's excellent for families, often has various activities on and isn't too far from home. Currently they have Winter Light at Waddesdon: Bruce Munro.

Waddesdon Manor
We arrived late morning, and went to see if we could get some tickets for the house (I've not been round but readitdaddy and C have) but it's so popular the only time left was very late afternoon so we passed this time. We headed down to the stables to "hug a husky". There were about 8 lovely husky's to stroke, cuddle and have your photo taken with. You could even sit on a sledge and have your photo taken pretending the husky is pulling you along a snowy scene (for a small price).

hug a husky
When we could finally drag ourselves away from the huskys we had lunch outside the stables as the cafe was really busy. The garden chairs had thick sheep skin throws on so no cold bottoms whilst enjoying yummy pumpkin soup, hot dogs or the NT must have scone and tea.

cosy and warming seats
A did quick check to make sure that the reindeers and Santa's sleigh would be ready for christmas day.

fly reindeer fly
 Then we took a stroll down the hill to the plant centre for the christmas food market, plenty of local food and drinks to try and lots of gifts to buy, we didn't come away empty handed.

we found these dens to explore on the way to the plant centre
 We had a walk back up the hill and through the play area. It's a really fantastic woodland play area, the footpaths were lit up, the trees and also reindeer along the way. There is something for every age from swings to zip wires that keep the kids amused for ages.

one of the play areas
can you spot the owl
We then took a trip down Miss Alice's Drive, it's a wonderful woodland walk with something to explore at every turn. Lots of different bug hotels, board hotels to lift (sadly only found a worm), stepping stone logs and weave a fence.

checking under the board hotel
stepping stone logs
Once we got back to the top of the hill and the house again we took a look around the aviary, its a magnificent looking structure with some unusual birds housed there.

day turns to night
 By now the sun was just setting so with glow stick in hand we headed off to winter light at Waddesdon.

glow stick
 These are 6 works of art displaying light in different ways and to an amazing effect. It was lovely to see young and old exploring and enthralled by the installations. We had to walk round twice to see it again as it got darker.

Brass Monkeys
Water-Towers
Tepees
Parliament of Owls
Mynah Words
River of Light
I think River of Light was our favorite installation, I had to go to the bottom of the hill to get the view looking up

River of Light
Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

5 comments:

  1. We went there the other week in the morning and I was going to link up too- but decided to wait until we could go back in the dark! It looks fabulous. I can't wait to go back, but have to wait until the little man recovers from his lergies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope your little boy improves and you do get to go back, it was wonderful in the dark and worth waiting for. my photos don't do it justice

      Delete
  2. This is a wonderful post. I can't believe this is the same place I used to go with my parents as a child, I don't remember any Christmas activity then and just look at it now, it looks magical! A wonderful Country Kids post, thank you for linking up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it brought back some happy memories for you.

      Delete
  3. Love this. Love all you can do in the grounds. Those light displays really are magnificent.

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.