50 things to do before you're 11¾ at Charlecote Park

50 Things... No. 4 Children build a den at Charlecote — No. 4 - Build a den. Find everything you need in the pop-up play area next to the Spinney

Have an adventure in the park and gardens at Charlecote. There are some things you can do all year round, and some that you’ll have to plan ahead for the right weather or season.

Take inspiration from the '50 Things' list to enjoy nature and spend some fun time outdoors all year round.

Look out for extra activities during the school holidays so you can have more adventures at Charlecote.

No. 1 Get to know a tree

Our ancient standing trees are fragile, so enjoy climbing the huge felled trees in the parkland instead.

No. 6 Go welly wandering

Never mind a soggy day. Come in your wellies, splash in puddles, walk through the mud, feel the raindrops on your face.

Get your wellies on and come exploring in the parkland at Charlecote Park — Pop your wellies on and come exploring

No. 7 Fly a kite

It doesn’t have to be blowing a gale – a simple box kite will take off in a breeze. Bring your own or choose your favourite colour from our shop. Run around the Paddock and watch it fly.

Family with home-made kites in parkland at Charlecote — Our parkland is a great place to fly a kite - make your own or find a simple box kite in our shop

No. 9 Eat a picnic in the wild

Charlecote is the perfect place for a picnic, there are benches on the paddock or bring a rug to spread out. Watch the wildlife while you enjoy your sandwiches but remember that the ducks shouldn't eat your leftovers! Our visitors picnic all year round - just decide if you need a warm coat or some sunscreen.

No. 10 Play conkers

Look for the horse chestnut trees in the parkland in autumn and collect a pocketful of shiny brown conkers to string when you get home.

Children play with autumn leaves in parkland at Charlecote Park — Autumn leaves and conkers make a great day out

No. 19 Play poohsticks

Stand on the bridge by the entrance to West Park and see whose stick comes out on the other side first.

No. 22 Find some funky fungi

Walk around the parkland in autumn, especially close to the trees, and see what you can discover. There are lots of different shapes and colours, and some of them have great names.

Look out for fascinating fungi in Charlecote Park's autumn parkland — Look out for Dryad's Saddles, Shaggy Inkcaps or Common Earthballs

No. 24 Go barefoot

Go on - just take off your shoes and socks and find out how the grass feels!

No. 27 Go stargazing & No. 40 Go on a nature walk at night.

Take a look at our Events page and book ahead for one of our bat walks. Join the experts from the Warwickshire Bat Group with their specialist equipment and discover more about our resident protected bat colonies.

If it's a clear night for the bat walk, just look up and see if you can spot the stars - there's no light pollution from street lights here so you can see more easily.

No. 31 Make friends with a bug

They’re everywhere! Look in the grass, check tree bark, look under stones, what will you find today? Walk down the back drive past the river Dene and listen for grasshoppers in the parkland on a warm sunny day. How many ladybirds can you count in the gardens?

Two girls with butterfly net at Charlecote Park in summer

Bugs and insects to discover

The parkland and gardens are a great place for a bug hunt, and there are insects you'll recognise and plenty you won't, but they are all fascinating.

No. 33 Go cloud watching

Lie back on the grass and look at the clouds - what shapes can you see? Does that fluffy cloud look like a dinosaur or a whale? See if you can spot whispy "mare's tails" that tell us the weather is about to change.

No. 34 Discover wild animal clues & No. 44 Watch a bird

Family at picnic bench watch wildlife in parkland at Charlecote — Flying, swimming, running... what is our wildlife doing today?

Can you see the tracks made by our deer and sheep? They make flattened grass paths to get to their favourite spots and you might see their hoof prints if it's muddy in the parkland.

Bring your binoculars and see what you can spot, from friendly robins and blackbirds in the gardens to swans and herons on the river. Look out for a woodpecker’s rising and falling flight in the park. Can you hear a buzzard mewing overhead?

Pop in to the bird hide in the Spinney and see what's on the feeders there. The Spinney shed has lots of information about all the wildlife you'll find in our gardens and parkland.

Charlecote's parkland is an ideal place for birdwatching or wildlife spotting

Top tips for spotting wildlife

Our staff and volunteers manage the parkland for the benefit of our wildlife throughout the year. Discover the best ways to see more when you visit - don't forget your binoculars.

No. 45 Find your way with a map

You'll get a map of Charlecote on your way in - why don't you show the grown-ups which way you want to go and follow the path on the map.

Why not get ahead and download our 50 Things map here.

No. 48 Keep a nature diary

When you get home you can write down what you've seen today, draw something that you enjoyed looking at, perhaps stick in a feather or some leaves. Visit again at a different time of year and see how things have changed. Nature doesn't stand still!

No. 49 Watch the sunset

Whether you're coming to see one of our family-friendly outdoor theatre events one summer's evening or you've popped in after school on a winter's afternoon, watching the sunset across the parkland is always special.