This weekend we went to visit a park that is right on our doorstep but new to us. Victoria Park is an old park in our town that is in the process of being restored so we thought it would be nice to visit and see what it is like. We were both totally amazed at what we found there; I’d never been before and my husband remembers going to play basketball there as a teenager so we didn’t really know what it would be like but it is full of history. The Mansion House and surrounding park were constructed in 1849 as a private estate and acquired by the council then opened to the public in 1886. They have restored a folly, rose garden, pond and are working on a beautiful Orangery and walled garden. It was amazing to walk round and see these parts unearthed. There are some fasctinating old photographs and paintings online which show how it would have looked in the 1800’s. I particularly like the folly and the faces in the walls, it felt like we were somewhere completely different. We didn’t get to see it all so we will definitely return and on our way out we saw a sweet little cafe that I also want to test out!
We spent a little while on the playground so the twins could get out the pushchair and enjoy the swings. Lucas was in an exploring mood and once we moved on from the playground he ran round the rest of the paths. I love how he can find fun and play anywhere; he loved the bandstand and ran round and round the edge pretending to be a train. He spent so long hiding beneath a tree and waiting to jump out and surprise Daddy. We chatted about the leaves on the ground and showed him the funny little faces in the folly and we only managed to convince him to come home with us by promising to return very soon!
You can read more about the restoration of Victoria Park here and follow Mansion House on twitter for more information about their events.
20 Comments
This looks like such a beautiful park and I always love exploring somewhere new. It looks lovely with all the leaves on the ground but I bet it’s beautiful in Summer x
November 1, 2014 at 10:33 pmIt is particularly lovely in the Autumn but I think we will be back in all seasons! xx
November 3, 2014 at 9:05 pmWhat a great park to have close by. It looks full of interesting spaces and some real history too. I hope they manage to finish all the sections, it already looks perfect for whiling away a little out door time at any time of year. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
November 2, 2014 at 12:09 amIt was beautiful and they’ve had a fair bit of money invested to restore it so it should be even better next year. We are looking forward to exploring more of it!
November 3, 2014 at 9:06 pmIt looks so gorgeous, I love really old places like this and learning about their history. I always imagine how they used go live or go for walks around their estate. They seem to have restored it all really nicely. Lovely pics as always 🙂
November 2, 2014 at 6:31 amYes! I am exactly the same, always imagining what it was like in an older time, I think that’s why I liked it so much x
November 3, 2014 at 9:07 pmgoodness me Hayley look how big Lucas is now! Such a big boy and the twins have grown so fast too. crazy isnt it how fast time goes by? (love his cosy jumper)
November 2, 2014 at 7:44 amGorgeous photos of a lovely day out – i love all the leaves on the ground this time of year and its been so mild hasnt it?
hope you are well xx
Thanks Jenny, I know they have grown up so quick. I cannot believe the twins are a year old in a few months, this year seems to have flown. The weather has been good to us this Autumn 🙂 xx
November 3, 2014 at 9:08 pmIt looks lovely there, and autumn captured beautifully in your photos. And look at the twins, so big in the swings! x
November 2, 2014 at 8:45 amThey do look big in them but really weren’t too sure about it, poor things aren’t used to being out as much as Lucas was 🙂 xx
November 3, 2014 at 9:08 pmOh looks lovely! I love a vintage bandstand and is that the city jogger double buggy? That is THE WORLDS BEST BUGGY! I had that for me two. Lovely piccys x
November 2, 2014 at 3:43 pmThank you, yes we LOVE our city jogger!! I’m so glad I went for it in the minefield of double buggies 🙂 xx
November 3, 2014 at 9:09 pmOh my goodness those 3 boys are so darn cuuuuuute!!!
November 2, 2014 at 11:59 pmHaha, thank you!
November 3, 2014 at 9:10 pmOk that swing photo is too cute. I loved when my wee man reached an age where he was just as happy exploring as being in the play park. Glad you found a good discovery close to home. #CountryKids
November 3, 2014 at 9:40 pmThere is nothing better than seeing their imagination run wild outdoors, we will be going back! xx
November 9, 2014 at 9:52 pmThey have done such a great job restoring the park to its former glory! Looks like Lucas has a ball. Autumn is so pretty especially when we get a rare glimpse of the sun too
November 5, 2014 at 11:36 amhttp://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/
It far exceeded my expectations, I wasn’t too sure when James suggested a visit but I’m glad we went!
November 9, 2014 at 9:51 pmWhat a beautiful park to have on your doorstep- I love all the autumn colours in your photos! x
November 5, 2014 at 3:31 pmI was quite surprised to find it to be honest, I love exploring somewhere new xx
November 9, 2014 at 9:53 pm