Every so often the Royal Horticultural Society has a 'Free Day Friday' allowing free entrance to their gardens, including Hyde Hall in Rettendon. So last month I took T (3) and L (16 months) along to explore the 360 acre estate.
It was a dull and grey March day on our visit but we still had a lovely time. There were lots of scarecrows dotted around (they had been made during a previous family activity day) and T had a wonderful time running around them, looking at the differences between them, including a Darth Vader scarecrow! Being the middle of March there were very few flowers in bloom but I can imagine that the gardens would be stunning in full bloom. All of the flowers and trees are labelled so green fingered visitors can easily tell what they are looking at. The map you are given on entry clearly labels all the various areas of the estate, including the ponds, rose garden, beehives and vegetable plots. However T's favourite part was watching the digger at work!
I was surprised at how child friendly the gardens were. At the information desk there were maps with themed trails available and sheets to help children play I-spy as they walked round. We followed the main route around the gardens which, with a wide pavement, was very accessible for buggys and wheelchairs. There are some steeper paths and stairs but there was always an alternative route. There is a children's play area near the visitors centre, two toilet blocks (including a baby changing room) and the two restaurants have plenty of high chairs. With rain threatening on the day we visited the two restaurants were very busy but on a sunny day there is an outside courtyard with plenty of table and chairs.
There are also lots of events for children and families throughout the year. The Little Acorns gardening club takes place every month for pre-schoolers, special themed events are planned during each school holiday and they even have a survival skills day planned on Father's Day.
I really would recommend Hyde Hall as a day out, especially for your pre-schoolers in term time. Under 5's get in free all year round and, even on a grey day, we were there almost three hours.
Keep an eye on our Things To Do pages for the next Free Day Friday and other special events at Hyde Hall!
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