Controlling your children from destroying the insides of an old stately home may not seem like the best activity for a family day out. Exploring the backdrop of a favourite Hollywood period drama is usually something to do with a fellow fan without the kids. The gardens are usually manicured perfectly and the thought of your two year old barrelling through in his willies may fill you with fear and dread.
Where there used to be a disapproving grimace, parents may now notice a friendly smile towards their children. Perhaps these beautiful homes have realized that if they are to remain gorgeous pieces of history, they need to be available to the whole family, and not just a handful of retired pensioners. Families will be pleasantly surprised if they decide to venture out to a stately home that the staff seem keen to please their children. Crayons and treasure maps are given so they have something to keep them occupied while on the tour of the house.
Yet a friendly smile towards your curious four year old or whining two year old is not all that make the day more doable for a family. Many of these stately homes have built children's play areas next to them. Now we are not talking about a few swings and a slide, but whole adventure areas that are almost more reminiscent of a time when we did not worry about our children playing so much and accepted risk as a normal part of childhood.
Children love water features, and many of these old places feature stunning water fountains and displays that will fascinate them. In fact if you are in the Peak district, you may come upon Chatsworth House, which boasts of a water feature that was awarded the best in England in 2004. It is not only there to look at, but children and adults are encouraged to play in it! On a sunny day, an ordinary family can bask in the sunshine with a picnic and feel transported back to a very different time in history, while their children play in water that gushes over 24 groups of steps part of a 300 year old water feature.
So before you spend another small fortune at a soft play area, if the weather is fine, don't dismiss the idea of a family day out at a historical home and garden.
If you're looking for Water Features UK, you can find a wide selection at the Fountains Direct website.
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