A family day out at Knightshayes
50 things before you're 11 ¾
Get outdoors and closer to nature with the '50 things before you're 11 ¾' at Knightshayes.
- No.1 Get to Know a tree
- The parkland is a great place to explore different trees. Pick up your copy of our veteran and champion tree walk from Visitor Reception.Discover trees
- No.33 Go cloud watching
- Is it a ship, is it a whale? What shapes can you see? Holly's Lawn in the Woodland Garden or the Ha Ha lawn in front of the house are the best places to spot clouds.Go Cloud watching
- No.44 Watch a bird
- Winter and early spring are the best time to see birds, before the trees have their leaves. We have plenty of your favourite garden birds at Knightshayes, and if you're lucky you may even spot a Treecreeper or Goldcrest.Watch a bird
The Travellers and The Bear
Ben and Rory meet a bear on a woodland walk. Rory panics and climbs a tree, but Ben lies still until the bear leaves. The boys learn to stick together in scary moments.
The Tortoise and The Hare
Hazel Hare races Timothy Tortoise, convinced she’ll win easily. But she gets distracted by showing off, while Timothy keeps going steadily and wins the race, showing that staying focused is important.
The Peacock and The Crane
Percy Peacock loves showing off his bright feathers. When he meets Celeste the crane, he discovers she can soar high in the sky. Percy learns that everyone has different talents and that beauty isn’t only about looks.
The Old Lion and The Fox
An old lion tries to trick animals into his cave by pretending to be sick. But clever Felix the fox notices there are only pawprints going in, not out, and realises it’s a trap.
The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg
Jonathan looks after a kind goose who lays magical golden eggs every day. When Mrs. Fountain gets greedy, she learns that caring for animals gently is more important than trying to get more treasure.
The Ant and The Grasshopper
Ainsley Ant works hard storing food for winter, while Gregory Grasshopper sings all summer long. When winter comes, Gregory has no food, and Ainsley teaches him that fun is good—but planning ahead matters too.
The Boys and The Frogs
Two children throw stones into a pond for fun, but it scares the frogs who live there. Their dad shows them the frightened frogs, and the children learn to play more gently and respect the animals’ home.
The Cock and The Jewel
Percival the pheasant finds a shiny jewel but quickly realises it’s not food. A gardener takes the jewel to lost property and rewards him with mealworms, which Percival decides are the real treasure.
The Farmer and The Cranes
Cranes keep eating the farmer’s seeds, ignoring his gentle warnings. When they finally get caught in a net, they realise that listening to early warnings can stop bigger problems later.
The Fox and The Crow
Callie the crow finds some tasty cheese, but a hungry fox tricks her with fancy compliments. When she opens her beak to caw, the cheese drops, and she learns not to trust flattery so easily.