On a weekend there's nothing we like more than a family trip out to a stately home with large grounds that we can explore with the children. The National Trust do this kind of venue very well and they're incredibly in tune with what families want. Kids activities are laid on during holidays, there's often a playground and you know that there will be baby changing facilities and high chairs in the cafe. Unfortunately for us though there is a distinct shortage of National Trust properties near where we live. I was therefore intrigued when Mr C came home from work one day saying that he's seen a poster advertising a "new" English Heritage site that looked like it met our family day out requirements – Wrest Park.
Located in Bedfordshire Wrest Park is only about 45 minutes from St Albans and I'm sure that journey would have been quicker had the M1 not still had roadworks on it. Hidden away for decades English Heritage is restoring these gardens and now local people are discovering the secret that has been on their doorstep all this time without them realising it.
The French-style mansion sits in 90-acres of grounds containing ponds, woods and restored footpaths. There's plenty of space to explore and some lovely views from the house, down the long water to the pavilion that sits opposite. The restored gardens only opened in August 2011 and is definitely worth a visit. There's plenty of space to wander around and children would have a ball running around the woods and through the trees. There are several garden buildings, pavilions and statues spread around and Little Miss C enjoyed exploring them as we went around. Most of the paths are buggy friendly and the grounds are flat, making it ideal for if you have small children.
From a practical point of view those behind Wrest Park seem to have taken direction from the National Trust as to how to make the park attractive to family visitors. As soon as you arrive (even before you've bought a ticket) there is a reasonably large playground featuring apparatus for all ages of children. This is enclosed by a fence to stop children running off and conveniently located across from the cafe and next to a large outdoor seating area – allowing mum and dad to relax with a coffee whilst their children play.
The cafe itself had a lovely menu – not huge, but with some tasty dishes on the specials board. I enjoyed a lovely pate which was served with chunky bread, chutney and a nice dressed salad. Plenty of highchairs were available and there was a children's meal box available containing a sandwich, fruit, a biscuit and a carton of juice. Baby changing facilities were also available in the toilet block next door.
Whilst impressive architecturally the house mainly just houses an exhibition telling you about the de Gray family, who owned the house and designed the current house, and the history of the house itself. This was all a bit dry for a toddler so we didn't get to stay in there long enough to take much of the story in which was a shame as it seemed to be very well laid out.
Talking to some of the volunteers at Wrest Park I get the impression that it is very much a hidden treasure with many people not yet knowing about it. A big shame as it's a great place for a day out. We'll definitely be going back and next time we go I'll look up to see if there are any children's activities on suitable for LMC too.
Disclaimer: We paid for our own tickets to Wrest Park and were not asked to write this review.
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