Great Day Out at Groombridge Place Gardens - a MUST if you haven't been before

It was the very last day of the school holidays when I finally got round to visiting Groombridge Place Gardens, and it proved to be an unexpectedly brilliant day out that rounded off the summer perfectly. 

I've heard great things about Groombridge for years but never visited. I seized the chance when I had my niece Josie (aged three) and baby nephew Eoin visiting for the day. My ten year old son Archie wasn't convinced the 'enchanted forest' would prove to be his cup of tea, and my 13 year old daughter Molly said she was happy just to push the buggy as the attractions were clearly going to be too young for her.. so off we set. 

The sun shone as we hit the footpath leading to the enchanted forest. A sign warned that it wasn't particularly suitable for buggies, but we took a chance as we all wanted to walk instead of take the boat trip (£1 a head, by the way).

We're very glad we did. Our leisurely stroll took us past a field where we saw a zeedonk (a zebra-donkey cross). He is apparently one of only two in Britain and looked delighted with himself with his grey/beige body and striped legs. 

 

Further on we stumbled upon two forest folk (lovely ladies dressed in acorn hats and green tights) - one of whom played 'Twinkle Twinkle' on her harp to soothe baby Eoin when he had a little grumble in his pram. 

Josie was delighted to explore Crusoe's World, where she boarded a rowing boat and hid from the scary skeleton bones, and further along she sat patiently and had a beautiful mermaid painted on her face (£2.50) near some wonderful old gypsy caravans.

Archie wasn't completely impressed with the place by this stage, deeming Crusoe's World and the models in 'Dinosaur and Dragon Valley'  a bit babyish for his liking.

Josie was in heaven though, especially when she saw tiny little fairy doors on the side of a mossy bank, and decided that Tinkerbell lived at number nine. 

Archie cheered up when he found a giant swing and fed bread to the ducks and hungry fish, and he happily explored some of the more interesting gardens, such as the Double Spiral, which he raced around in circles. It is inspired by ancient Celtic tree mythology and was created to reflect the perception of a cosmic order, and it certainly felt very relaxing to wander around. 

After lunch Archie disappeared up a boardwalk path which turned out to be a fabulous trail of wooden steps that led through giant tyres, across rope swings and an exciting  zip wire to the biggest giant swings EVER! 

You have to be over ten to go on them, and Molly and I loved having a go. 

We topped off our day with a peep at the grazing deer and birds of prey before nipping into the formal gardens. To be honest, I could have spent a day in this section alone... but all the kids wanted to do was play giant chess. 

I'll definitely go back, with or without the kids. And if you can fit in a day before it closes in November I would thoroughly recommend it. 

Prices start from £29.95 for a family ticket, off peak. Check the Groombridge  website for more prices and opening times during October and November.

Let us know if you've had any great day trips ... it's not long until half term you know.......!