I didn’t know anything about Wakehurst Place before I signed up as a helper for the year 2 trip. So imagine my surprise when we got off the coach, walked around the corner and I saw this:
Of course my jaw hit the floor.
And then when I found out that the estate is managed by Botanical Gardens, Kew, I knew we were in for a treat.
Our volunteer was great. She took us first on a trail through the bee garden and the Iris garden, where even the children couldn’t fail to be impressed with the array of beautiful colours and smells surrounding us.
Apart from the Iris’s, which were in the Iris garden and so a bit of a give away, I don’t know what the other flowers are called. They are beautiful though, so if anybody does know, can you please tell me?
Intermingled with the foliage were various sculptures of bees, beetles and even microscopic pollen! And the gardens are broken up with numerous ponds and bridges over natural streams.
The children enjoyed pond dipping and searching for mini beasts among the trees and tall grasses. Then lunch was taken picnic-style, followed by a run around on the open lawns near to the manor house. I stole off to get a much needed coffee from the cafe at that point and made a mental note to return another time to sample some of the delicious looking food on offer.
The volunteers informed us that there are lots of activities happening at Wakehurst Place during the school summer holidays, so it is worth considering if you live in the south east.
I will definitely be going back.
I’m pretty sure the bottom right flowers are Sweet William – they have a lovely delicate aroma. What a great place for a school trip for a bug hunt and some pond dipping. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Oh sweet Williams. Think you might be right. Thanks. It has been bugging me wondering what they are called! They have some stunning grounds there.
Its so magical, fairytale like in there! Like you are in a book with Prince and Princesses =) #countrykids
It does give lots of scope for the imagination.
That’s one fancy school trip! What a lovely surprise. Although the giant bees are a little much for me 🙂
The sculptures were cool actually. A nice addition I thought because you don’t know what you will discover next.
wow what a stunning place. I love that spikey seed sculpture
They’re great aren’t they? It’s microscopic pollen apparently. Rather cool I thought.
That is gorgeous! What a great school trip! #magicmoments
Nicola this looks like an amazing place to visit!
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments x