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. Get your wellies on this autumn and for some outdoor fun.
Please note that this article was created before the Coronavirus crisis and may not reflect the current situation.
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.
Never mind the weather, it's always a great family day out
Jana Eastwood
Never mind the weather, it's always a great family day out
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.
No. 7 on your '50 things' list is fly a kite
Jana Eastwood
No. 7 on your '50 things' list is fly a kite
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.
Autumn leaves and conkers make a great day out
Jana Eastwood
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 Dryad's Saddles, Shaggy Inkcaps or Common Earthballs
Jana Eastwood
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy an evening event and watch the sunset
Jana Eastwood
Enjoy an evening event and watch the sunset
No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure
Come back again and share your enjoyment all over again with a friend. Show them what you've discovered and have some fun together.
'50 things to do before you're 11¾'
For lots of different ways to connect with nature and to get to know the world around you all while having fun, check out '50 things'.