Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

We’ve had our National Trust membership since my son was very small, and it’s something I often recommend to friends.  These days a visit is about so much more than visiting a stately home, the sites really are far more set up for the whole family to enjoy. We’ve certainly got our money’s worth out of our membership and since only recently discovering that you can get a National Trust passport, my son is determined to fill it with stamps.  If we’d known you could buy these booklets when we first started our family membership, he’d have filled one a few times over by now! So when we were arranging a long overdue meet up with friends over the Christmas period it was the perfect time for him to get another stamp in his passport as we spent a day revisiting Packwood House in the snow.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Situated near Lapworth in Warwickshire, close to the M42, revisiting Packwood House in the snow saw my son and I arrive mid morning as the snow was thankfully starting to melt.  We’d had no snow where we lived in Oxfordshire but as we drove up the motorway I could see the fields getting whiter and whiter.  I was rather relieved to discover that even the country roads were clear, and although the car park was quite icy, the journey as a whole was ok.

We found our friends in the cafe, and caught up over a hot drink and a cookie.  All three of our children like to be outdoors so I knew it wouldn’t be long before they were running off and enjoying the grounds, leaving me to chat with my friend and her husband.  The days of my son clinging to me and not saying a word in their company is long gone.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Ironically, the first time we visited Packwood House was with the same friends back in February 2015, and it lovely to see the kids reunited somewhere where they all felt happy to run free.  The snow added a new element to the fun and there was no way my son wasn’t going to make full user of the extra play material.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow on a sunny December day was just what we both needed after the excesses of Christmas itself.  Time to just run around, him not me, and have some fun.  Most of the time the kids were doing their own thing, but that’s the joy of being with people where that’s totally ok, and all part of the fun.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

There are lovely open fields to enjoy, but the avenue walk is always one we enjoy, with added mud it’s just perfect. Always remember appropriate footwear when visiting Packwood!

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

The snow was doing it’s best to hang around but the sun had other ideas, and we could all imagine that the scene before us would be very different in a few days time.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

It’s amazing how a bit of snow transforms a place, and makes details stand out so much more.

I learnt long ago with my son that waterproof trousers are a godsend and he knows he can do pretty much whatever he likes and his Mum won’t moan.  No soggy bottoms here!

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Every time I look at the photo above I smile, it sums my son up, sitting in the snow, without a care in the world.  It also makes me think about that hat.  I’ve had so many comments about that hat over the years, it has to be one of my best ever bargain buys.  I bought it years ago in Sainsburys with matching gloves.  It’s aged 3-6 years and by some miracle the hat still fits him aged 8.  The gloves sadly don’t, but that’s not a problem.  I think we’ll both be gutted when this hat is too small for him.

The Yew Tree garden was closed off on the day we spent revisiting Packwood House in the snow, but there was still lots to see and enjoy.

There was obviously no way that my son was going to miss the opportunity to show off his roaring skills as he charged past me either.  He might be as quiet as a mouse at school, but he certainly isn’t when he’s with me.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

I remember vividly the first time we went to Packwood with our friends, and our two boys sitting with their backs to the sundial, chatting away.  This time around getting them actually sat down was too much to ask, but that sundial will forever remain their sundial in my eyes.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

I’d forgotten about the lake, and revisiting Packwood House in the snow, gave us the chance to admire it afresh.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Part of it was frozen which caused great excitement.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

My son was soon off on a new adventure and it wouldn’t really be a day out for us if at least one stick wasn’t featured!

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

With all the running around a well-earned break was in order.  A moment to recharge his batteries and just sit with his stick and reflect.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Before he realised that his stick would make a great brush for him to create a snow picture on the tree stump.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

The peace was soon shattered again as he headed off pack to his friends at full pelt, roaring away, stick in hand.

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Before we knew it, it was time to head home, whilst the road weren’t too icy.  It was so good to spend time revisiting Packwood House in the snow, and I know we’ll be back again soon, to create a few more memories.

Have you been?

Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

Country Kids
 

14 thoughts on “Revisiting Packwood House in the snow

  1. What a great afternoon out for all of you, I’d love to have the opportunity to visit a National Trust property in the snow I’m sure it’s magical. It’s great to see you all exploring the grounds of Packwood House again, the kids have all grown up since you all went together for the first time. It’s great to see Monkey getting creative in the snow, even if he was only able to sit still for a couple of minutes.

    Thanks for sharing your adventure with me on #CountryKids.

  2. We’ve just joined National Trust too and will be definitely be visiting Packwood House as its only about 30 minutes from us. I’ve heard that you can walk between Packwood and another near by NT house as its only a few miles. Lovely photos of you enjoying the sunshine #countrykids

  3. We totally agree that snow does transform a place! For us it makes it more magical and opens a world of new play. We’re National Trust members and need to explore further away as we’ve exhausted all the places near us recently x #CountryKids

  4. I must really get our membership sorted as we had some free passes last year and it was great to visit so many amazing places. A lot of them are dog friendly too – which is perfect for us. Lovely snowy pictures. Sarah #CountryKids

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