Take a trip to Rutland

Photo Credits: Kathy Yallop

From activities such as Aquapark Rutland at Rutland Water in the summer, cycling, SUPing (stand up paddle boarding) and even open water swimming for older children to The Rutland Zoo, soft play and role play centres for younger children, it is impossible to be bored. The number of accessible local walks, woodlands and playgrounds will fill your calendar in no time if you are sticking to a budget. As the mum of a very active and outdoorsy three-year-old, our year-round go-to place for a few hours of fun is Barnsdale Gardens, or the “cake gardens” as they are lovingly referred to in our house. We’re annual pass holders and I know that we can visit the gardens as a family or even take Great-Granny for a couple of hours and it is something that will interest all generations. With easy access off Exton Avenue and plenty of parking, including toddler and disabled spaces, the gardens are open 363 days a year and I know that each time we go, there will be something new to look at. It is constantly changing. Made up of 38 individually designed gardens, including the children’s garden with fairy toadstools and a sleeping dragon under the bridge, the seasonality of the flowers and plants growing in each nook and cranny keeps us all busy and happily chatting as we wander around, usually taking a different route each time. In spring we like to look at all the new life growing in the gardens, in summer when it’s in full bloom the gardens are full of colour and wildlife and in autumn, the beautiful produce grown in the allotment garden and orchard gives us plenty of food for thought. Even in winter, when there’s not as much colour, the gardens are fun to explore, with hidden paths and ponds that are often tucked away behind foliage in the warmer months. The reason why we call it the “cake gardens” is because the lovely tearoom extends outside in summer, meaning we can go and enjoy lunch or a slice of cake tucked away in a cosy sanctuary where tame birds peck around our feet for crumbs. The tea rooms are open all year as well and you don’t need to pay admission to visit, so it’s always a great option for a lovely lunch on a rainy day. We recently tried the afternoon tea and it was absolutely delicious. If you are looking for a more substantial or evening meal though, as the County of Good Taste, Rutland has plenty of pubs with great children’s menus. The Grainstore Brewery in Oakham has recently rewritten its menu with small plates and a wider choice for children. If you’re planning on cycling around Rutland Water and stopping for lunch, The Horse and Jockey at Manton also has a separate children’s menu and with the roof terrace due to open this spring, we’re looking forward to spending a few summer evenings there as a family. Another great option for multi-generation families is Welland Vale Garden Centre in Uppingham. The garden centre and gift shop are fantastic and the on-site café even has a small soft play area for toddlers – perfect for a midweek treat.

Megan Allen is a freelance journalist and PR consultant, born and raised in rural Rutland.

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