The Sunday before last we took a drive out to Leicestershire to go and explore Bradgate Park.
From the moment we walked through the big gates the girls were itching to run off and climb the trees and rocks.
Which I absolutely loved as it shows just how far they’ve come, and just how much they enjoy being surrounded by nature!
Before we let the little terrors lose though we took them over to some deer we spotted near the water. We actually managed to get pretty close to the deer and the best part is they didn’t get spooked.
After nearly getting taking out by a deer leaping right past me which I was completely oblivious to, as I was too enthralled in taking pictures of the ones laying in the grass lol.
It was time to move on.
So off and upwards we went climbing the rocks.To walk high above the pathway instead of down below on it.
We followed from up above until it was time to make our way back down, so that we could make our way over to the ruins of Bradgate House – one of the earliest brick-built country houses in England and the birthplace and childhood home of Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for Nine Days in 1553.
Through the beautiful long meadow like grass John and I wondered as the girls happily ran ahead wild and free. Only stopping to sit and hide in the long grass.
As we finally approached the ruins we made our way around to the front of Bradgate house we were met with disappointment. It was closed! we had missed our opportunity to explore the ruins.
When we finally got over our disappointment, which was in no time at all. We set off to go and have our picnic on top of the hill where old John’s Tower was located.
On the way to Old John’s Tower we had to stop and peek over the wall of the ruins, throw tree helicopters and pick flowers. Oh and let’s not forget we had to stop and carry Holly on and off as it was quite the hike for little legs.
About halfway up the hill we spotted some more deer. I stopped for a brief moment to snap a few more pictures before continuing on the climb.
As we neared closer to the top of the hill Holly decided she’d take a little rest. As she sat there looking out and over the way she had just come admiring the view, I quickly snapped a picture of her.
No sooner had I snapped this picture and we were off again. Following behind John and Ella who had already by now made it to the top and were enjoying the spectacular views.
When Holly and I finally made it to the top it was picnic time *yippee*. After all that walking and climbing a drink of water went down so well. As we sat there stuffing our faces and resting our tired feet we couldn’t help but admire and talk about the spectacular views.
After what seemed liked the shortest picnic in history, because the girls were eager to go and climb some rocks just a few steps away from us. We packed up our picnic and we were off AGAIN!
We had so much fun exploring Old John’s Tower. And I just loved watching the girl’s expressions as they knocked on the beautiful gigantic door. Where with there imagination fuelled and leading them into a kingdom where anything is possible they pretended a giant lived there. Eager to see if he was home they knocked enthusiastically! Unfortunately he never did answer his door *tut-tut* bad giant.
Not long afterwards we started our descent but it wasn’t from the way we had come. Oh no it was towards the back of Old John’s Tower through a little stone arch way.
It was almost like we were going to enter a magical garden or something, but only not. For upon entering there were no flowers or magical fountains etc. But only massive tree trunk and a few stumps and a puddle. Not that this disappointed our girls oh no. They happily climbed and walked along the tree trunk and occasionally jumped straight off it. On the other broken tree stump still in the ground they pretended to ride it just like a roping cowboy oops I mean cowgirl.
When they were done we set off once more but this time making our way to wards the car. Along the way back we came across a huge stone memorial. It was shortly after this as we continued to make our way back down that I slipped whilst piggybacking Holly. Thankfully Holly was okay and as for me well I hurt and grazed my left knee.
Which really made the trek back to the car very interesting lol. Thankfully I had lots to distract me from the pain. There were beautiful old hollowed out trees and everything.
And before we knew it we had made it back to where we had started. We then made our way through the car park and to the toilets. On our way back to the car we stopped on the little bridge and the girls had their first pooh stick race.
And so concludes our beautiful and magical trip to Bradgate Park….
