Running Wild

A whole day out at a stately home with all the kids? I’d rather lick the floor of an abattoir.

My lot would trash it in half an hour and then look bored to tears. Because let’s face it, stately homes and children go together as well as Jordan and Peter Andre.

But this was work, which was different, so I packed the brood into the car and headed off for Grey’s Court near Henley for some fresh air (gulp) and a look around.

Luckily, the National Trust has cottoned on to the fact that children need amusing, and to save their medieval pile, have concocted endless activities to keep our little darlings amused, and wear them out, so they can only manage tea and cake rather than sabotage.

Oh and educate them at the same time, leaving them tired but knowledgeable.

Creepy crawly days, grow your own vegetables, open air theatre and apple outings are just some of the ‘family days’ put together by the National Trust for Grey’s this summer.

But we opted for the Fresh Air for Families package and the Explorer pack. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Although the house is mid refurb until 2010, Greys comes complete with tower, moat, ice house, Tudor donkey wheel and maze.

But it was the walled gardens which were the most fun.

Garden kitchens literally spewed produce, from the rose garden and wisteria area, to the more abundant vegetable gardens, where fruit, vegetables and flowers were growing with such obvious energy it was like being in a fairy story.

And the children loved it, traipsing through the red brick courtyards, marvelling at the marrows, onions and tomatoes, amid the lavender, figs and herbs.

Birds flew everywhere and butterflies and bees followed our every step. it was like being in an Enid Blyton novel. And not a peep from the two-year-old to the teenager. Perhaps the bribe, I mean lure, of a cream tea helped.

And an afternoon later we collapsed back on the lawn for their best scones, cream, jam and, of course, a brew to rival no other.

So if you fancy a day out in the country, complete with free activities on a National Trust property, look no further. It’s all here at Greys. But you’d better hurry. Greys hibernates in the winter, closing from September 27.

Luckily for you it’s running Apple Day tomorrow which children love, returning year after year to take part in apple-related activities, such as ‘guess the number of apples in the barrow’, and ‘the longest peel’ competition, as well as ‘creepy crawly crown-making’ and ‘bumblebee windspinners’.

Garden staff are also inviting people to sample the delights of some of Britain’s oldest apple varieties, grown in the property’s organic orchard.

Expert advice on apple growing, including pruning, composting, pest and disease control, are all included in the day’s programme, with the opportunity to sample and buy freshly-picked fruit.

Local fruit products such as chutneys, cakes, pickles and jams are also on sale, together with plants, flowers and vegetables, including pumpkins – perfect for October!

Call 01494 755564 for details.