We had a fun-filled half term week filled with adventures which started on the Sunday as my son was running free at Upton House. The National Trust property sits just inside Warwickshire, but is only a 10 minute drive outside of Banbury in Oxfordshire. We were actually meant to be spending the day somewhere else entirely, but when we arrived it was all closed up and their Snowdrops event had clearly been cancelled. Some quick thinking came into play, and the joy of having our National Trust membership meant we could pop along to Upton House for a few hours without the day being wasted.
We know the property well and have visited a number of times over the years. I was on the hunt for snowdrops and my 8 year old just wanted the opportunity to spend time running free at Upton House, enjoying their grounds. You can visit the house with timed tickets, but we all just wanted to be outside enjoying the dry weather. It was cold, but we were all wrapped up and ready for some fun. At this time of year you’re never really sure how long the blue skies will stick around for so we wanted to make the most of them while we could.
It’s always lovely to spend time with my son somewhere he knows well. He takes charge, finds a stick and leads the way.
This way to the gardens and off he went, leaving me trailing behind taking photos as I went. The gardens have a number of terraces which were closed on this particular day, but there’s still lots to enjoy, snowdrops to spot and the pool to marvel at.
The Mirror Pool was drained last year for essential repairs and over our summer and autumn visits we watched the water naturally drain back into it. We can’t wait to see the dragonflies and damselflies flitting around again later in the year again. But for now we just enjoyed looking at the pool at its normal level again.
It really did look beautiful in the sunshine with the silhouettes of people walking along the edge of the main lawn at the top of the terracing.
I watched on as my son enjoyed running free at Upton House, and instructed his father in the serious art of stick swordmanship.
Of course there was only ever going to be one winner, but his father put up a valiant fight.
Once the stick sword fighting challenge was competed it was on to some serious running races, there might have been a bit of cheating going on, but my son loved being the winner.
My son was in his element, simple pleasures, just our kind of fun. But he did want to make sure I was paying full attention to the rules at all times. Charge!
Then he was stood to attention awaiting inspection before the second part of his adventure began.
He’s getting so tall these days, I swear he’s grown an inch or two since Christmas. The look is also helped by his Rockfish wellies, which he’s been living in recently. I just hope his feet don’t grow for a while so he can make really good use of them.
The Woodland Trail at Upton House has been a favourite with my son since he first discovered it a few years ago and no visit is complete without time spent there. This way!
There are pathways to explore.
Fun to be had, and tunnels to crawl through.
Stepping stone to be walked along.
Logs to be conquered.
We had so much fun running free at Upton House, letting off steam and enjoying a dry afternoon in February. i’m sure we’ll back again later in the year for more adventures.
and joining in with #MyFamilyAdventures
Monkey always looks happiest when he’s running around a national trust garden with a stick, looks like there was a good sword fight between Monkey and Daddy! Upton House always looks beautiful whenever you visit, it’s great you managed to find some snowdrops on your day out. Monkey really is looking so grown up with his Rockfish Wellies too, I hope they last him a good long while!
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids.
I’m praying his feet stop growing to make good use of them!
This looks great. We often visit family in this neck of the woods so we’ll have to give Upton House a try. #CountryKids
Hope you get there at some point.
My mother-in-law lives in Banbury, we’ll have to check this one out as we have a NT membership too #CountryKids
Well worth a visit when you’re there
Loving the snowdrops and it made me smile seeing the stick in his hand…my girls always do that too #countrykids
Always a stick
I’ve heard of Upton House but not been there before. Like you I adore all NT sites, as each one is different and has new elements to explore. Mich x #Countrykids
They are great aren’t they
The cold seems more bearable when there is sun isnt it? The place looks amazing! And the trip wouldnt be complete without a stick of course! #countrykids
It certainly does.
I love places like Upton House where you can just roam around and have fun in the outdoors. Good thing we’ve been having really lovely weather lately. Looks like your little one had a lovely day out 🙂
They are great aren’t they.
Oh this looks gorgeous and it looks like he had so much fun. You are so right, when the blue skies appear at the moment you just have to make the most out of it. I love fresh days…although today (and this week) is a little too fresh haha! Thanks so much for linking up with #ourweekendhappy
It’s that time of year isn’t it
What stunning photographs. And that mirror pool truly is beautiful. It looks like such a lovely day out. I adore wrapping up in warm clothes and heading out for adventures at this time of the year. It looks like your family does too. Thanks so much for linking up with #ourweekendhappy. Sorry it has taken me so long to comment. Hugs Lucy xxxx
Thank you, it’s a lovely place to explore.
Looks like you had a lovely afternoon at Upton House. We enjoyed our visit last year and I would have loved to have got a bit closer to the Mirror Pool if we’d managed to find a buggy-friendly route down there. I love that your son was instructing his dad on the art of stick swordmanship and it looks like they had a good stick-sword fight 🙂 #countrykids
I’ve done it before long ago but it’s not the easiest access for buggies
This is one of the properties on my list of new places to try this year. I am hoping we will make it but its a bit far from us. Sorry your other even was cancelled. Still looked like you had a great time x #CountryKids
It’s not a full day, but if you can fit it in with something else on a trip, it’s worth a visit.
This place looks brilliant, just the kind of place that we love, too, where our son can roam around and run free. And with that beautiful pond, too! #CountryKids
It’s a lovely spot
Looks like you all had lot’s of fun. I love National Trust places #MyFamilyAdventures
They are great places for families aren’t they
looks like a lovely place to visit. my kids would love that den.
we love it there
It sounds like you made the best of what could have been a bad day, what with your initial destination being closed. Glad your son was able to roam and you were able to see some snowdrops. The grounds look stunning! #MyFamilyAdventures
It all worked out in the end
This place looks gorgeous I love the snowdrops! Thank you for joining us #MyFamilyAdventures
It#s very pretty