As I’ve mentioned a number of times now, the one positive I’ve taken from the lockdowns over the last year, has been to spend time enjoying what’s on our doorstep, exploring the local area and really appreciating places rather than driving past them.  This is so true with somewhere we’ve visited countless times over the last twelve months as we’ve spent time exploring footpaths close to home – Tusmore Estate has become a firm family favourite.

There are a number of options for walks which take in the Tusmore Estate and we’ve parked on verges on the approach to Hardwick village as well as on the outskirts of Cottisford, and I know that friends regularly start their walks from Hethe.

Tusmore House is privately owned and not open to visitors.  You do need to keep to the footpaths as you walk through Tusmore Estate, we’ve also seen signs close to the house politely reminding visitors that picnics are not allowed.  But that aside, it’s a lovely place to go for a stroll at any time of year and really we had no idea we could walk there at all until this time last year.  I’ve seen signs for the estate from the A43 for years but never thought it was possible to explore.

One of the first walks we did there, and still a favourite is a circular walk taking in the Yew and Lime avenues, views of the house and a walk around the outside of Tusmore Wood, taking in the obelisk (fancy living somewhere for years and having no idea that was even there) before heading back along Buckingham Lane to the outskirts of Hardwick village.  This particular route is just under 3.5km and can be extended to take in Cottisford, Hethe and Hardwick itself for longer routes.

Whatever the weather, it’s an area we’ve loved revisiting, and it never takes long for my son to find a stick or two to keep him company.

Friends had mentioned the obelisk to me fairly early on during the lockdown last year and I was amazed that I’d never heard of it before.  It was erected by the estate’s owner to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and it must be a wonderful sight to see from the house itself.

 

You can’t get right up to it as there’s a metal fence surrounding it, but you can get close enough to read the inscription and in warmer weather, the lions are also uncovered to enjoy.

Although exploring footpaths close to home – Tusmore Estate has become more well known over the last year, we’ve always been able to park easily and only ever seen a couple of other families enjoying the footpaths on our walks.

Last Spring we got to enjoy seeing the lambs and sheep and after our enforced stay at home period, it was just so wonderful to see animals that we’d always taken for granted.  We’d missed seeing them in the fields as a first sign that warmer days were ahead. I’m not sure that we will ever take nature for granted again, or at least I hope we don’t.

Come rain or shine, enjoying the footpaths around the Tusmore Estate is a positive from the Covid experience.  The pathways are very family-friendly and easy to follow.  It’s a hidden gem that we’re so glad to have discovered for ourselves.  If you would like more information on the route, then just ping me a message, or perhaps pin this post for future reference.