We had a great morning walking around the grounds of the haunted Woodchester Park near Stroud this weekend. With temperatures at around 30˚c and miles away from water, a shady woodland family walk was just what we all needed – Coco included.
This unique unfinished gothic property has beautiful grounds to explore with different trails to suit everyone. We took the orange play trail which starts just as you leave the car park and head into the woods. Heading uphill, there are various wooden play structures to keep the kids entertained on route. You then come down the hill and end up a few minutes’ walk from the Mansion – just in time for a mid-morning coffee and treat from the café. The café is open from 10am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Dogs are welcome in the grounds and can even have a doggy ice cream to cool off.
There are two longer trails which we have done on cooler days and these take in the boathouse and lakes hidden in the wooded valley – a lovely, tranquil spot to stop for a picnic. The boathouse, built in the 19th century, was once enjoyed by the Ducie family on summer days with plenty of lavish boating picnics. Find out more about the trails and park on the National Trust website.
An interesting history, the house and grounds were once a Georgian countryman’s estate before being demolished to be rebuilt as a Victorian Gothic mansion. Due to lack of funds, it was never finished though. Thought to be haunted, it has featured on many TV programmes including ‘Most Haunted’ and the 2006 ‘Dracula’ as well as recently being used as a filming location in the popular TV series ‘The Crown’. If you fancy exploring inside the mansion, open days are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with guided tours. Find out more here.
The parking area is free to National Trust members and £3 for non-members. Make sure you have coins though as there are no card payment facilities.
Around 20 minutes’ drive from Woodchester Park through the beautiful Stroud countryside, we stopped at the lovely Felt Café in Brimscombe, Stroud. Located right on the canal, the café garden with pretty, antique parasols is ideal on a hot day. We had delicious bagels with an interesting choice of fillings and rhubarb lemonade slushies. The cakes looked amazing too.
Another great place to visit with kids who love their scooters is Rush Skate Park. Literally a few minutes’ walk along the canal from Felt Café. Unfortunately, this much-loved place is closing at the end of August so make sure you visit soon. You can book 2-hour slots on their website for £12 per person.
If you like the look of this, why not check out these other lovely walks not too far away.
Fam Full of Wanderlust 