But I Smile Anyway…

A couple of weeks back, we went on a little family hike around a local country park, Shorne Woods Country Park.

The park was once part of the Cobham Hall estate, before being passed on to the local council for use as a country park. There is even an old clay pit which is being reclaimed by nature now!

It’s a wonderful space, full of nature. From wildlife to plants, trees to fishing lakes, there is a lot to see. There are walking trails laid out, from the easy to proper hiking trails, bicycle paths and dog walking areas. You can ride a horse along certain trails, and there is even disabled access, and trails suitable for mobility scooters.

There is a fragrant sensory garden which is neighboured by a small pond that is used for pond dipping.

All around are beautiful wild flowers growing, encouraging the minibeasts to do what they do best, and pollinate! There are many breeds of dragonfly that were endangered, but are breeding well here!

As you walk around, you go through dense forest, as well as large greens. There are quite a few ‘dead’ trees too. Each one looks so intriguing. The kids managed to climb up a few too!

One of my favourite parts of Shorne Woods Country Park is the Fairie Ring. There is a staircase carved into one of the declines, that is around 140 steps down. Note the sign requests no cycling… as if lol!

It is a beautiful little clearing in a glen that we come to where there is a circle of wooden carved tree trunk seats that have been placed there. I have tried looking for the history behind this ring but couldn’t find anything!

And I think that my favourite sign has to be this…

To climb back up, via the staircase, the way is signposted as Cardiac Hill! And I tell you what, on a warm day, it can feel like you’re going to suffer a heart attack going up!

Another little nugget of history is the Rhododendron Walk, where couples used to come for romantic walks, or rather carriage rides amongst the Rhododendron Bushes! As they started to overtake the woodlands, the Rhododendrons are no longer there, but you can see the carriage pathway.

We spent a few hours there, walking our own trails, hopping from one to another, and there are also children’s play areas set up too, with various activities for the more traditional ‘park’ enthusiasts, with slides, and swings, and climbing frames.

During school time the park also hosts Forest School sessions where children are allowed to learn in nature. They get shown different plants and fungi, taught what is safe, and what is not, then there is a huge clearing which has been furnished with all manner of sticks and logs, and they children can climb and den build. At the end, they have a campfire, and drink hot chocolate, and even toast marshmallows!

A hand holding a flint tool, which is an homage to Stone Age flint tools that were also found there.

There is a great Eco-friendly Visitor centre there, with cafe and shop, several ice cream places dotted around too! But it is fun to make yourself a picnic and eat out in the open on a beautiful day!

It is a truly great place to visit, with or without kids!