Wrap up warm at Charlecote this winter

Fresh air and fun

Charlecote's a great place to start your outdoor adventure with 50 things to do before you're 11¾. Why not make a start in the new year or make it the year that you complete all 50 things? We'd love to hear how you get on via social media!

This could be the perfect time for No. 6 – Run around in the rain, and you can always start with No. 1 – Climb a tree. We’ve felled some old trees in the parkland and left them lying where they’ve fallen for you to climb on. The ancient trees standing in the parkland can be fragile and aren’t suitable for climbing.

You don’t need much of a breeze for No. 7 – Fly a kite, and you’ll find plenty of sticks in the parkland to make a trail (No. 12).

Charlecote is the perfect place for No. 44 – Go birdwatching. See ducks and swans on the river and listen out for woodpeckers. Pop in to the bird hide behind the stables too and see what's come to our feeders.

Explore outdoors

There’s plenty of space just to run round and play games. Pop into the Servants' Hall shop to buy bug-hunting kits and books, and we stock other outdoor activities that you can play with straight away.

The grassy parkland paths are flat enough for chunky-wheeled buggies if it's not too muddy. Wellies are always recommended.

Our ancient trees are fragile and unsuitable for climbing, but you'll find large felled trees around the parkland to play on - better than any climbing frame!

Wild about nature – what will you spot today?

Nature is always right in front of you if you take a moment to look.

Bring some binoculars and watch the birds and cheeky squirrels for a while. Look out for the friendly robins in the gardens and watch the ducks, swans and herons on the river. Never feed bread to the ducks or swans at Charlecote or anywhere else - they'll gobble it up, but it upsets their tummies. Wild bird seed is much better for them.

Seeing our fallow deer roaming the parkland is always a special part of any visit. Watch them from the pathways though, and keep an eye on all the children in your care.

Please keep your distance and don't approach the deer - they are large wild animals and can be unpredictable.

The Victorians weren't so vile!

See what’s happening in the Victorian kitchen, help with the cooking and try on a maid’s costume to share the experience of Victorian life. Pick up a Servants' Trail in the kitchen too.

Please note that we don't have volunteers available every day to cook in the kitchen. Have you thought about volunteering a few hours here around the school day?

Take a look around the outbuildings and imagine the Lucy family’s servants’ tough lives in all weathers. 

The house re-opens on Saturday 16 February - come and find all the Cuddly Critters hiding in the rooms. Our friendly room guides will help you find them if you ask.

(Please note: buggies and fragile artefacts just don't mix and you'll be asked to leave pushchairs and large rucksacks at the front door).

Take care

Please cross the busy road from Visitor Reception with caution.

Please keep an eye on children in your care at all times - the riverbanks, lake and haha are unfenced. We do a "deer poo pick" around the paddock and close to the house, but this is not possible in the wider parkland. The large stones of the haha can become loose - please don't allow or encourage children to jump off or climb up the haha walls.

Our woodland water feature was vandalised by unsupervised children.  We are a charity, and receive no Government funding. Our limited resources mean that we are unable to replace this feature at present.

Why not join the National Trust today for a whole year of days out at 500 places?

If you join at Charlecote we benefit directly, helping to fund our work and everything you enjoy about your visit. Then every time your membership card is scanned on your way in, it generates £2.50 for whichever place you're visiting - your membership goes directly to the places you love.

Did you know…?

... you can include your children or grandchildren in your membership.

... we have a new children's annual membership for 5-17 year olds for just £10.

… under-5s come in to all National Trust places for free.

… you’re always welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy by the river, all year round.