Signs of Spring

A day out at Rufford Old Hall - a National Trust property that's perfect to explore with kids.

There's a particular type of energy that comes with the first signs of spring, isn't there? A sense of renewal and positivity as we begin to contemplate longer, warmer days, and blue skies rather than this blanket of grey we've been trapped under for months.

I've written before about this National Trust property - and this was in relation to spring as well, so it seems that this is one we return to when the daffodils and bluebells begin to peek out of the soil and bring colour back into the world.

For over 600 years there has been a home on this site - once covering over 10,000 acres it was in the hands of the Hesketh family for most of that history with farms, outbuildings, and a large stately home at the centre of the family life. The Great Hall and it's iconic carved screen survive from the Tudor period but much of the rest of the house is more modern (though still from the 17th and 18th centuries!). It has been in the care of the National Trust since 1936.

On this particular visit there was a weaver demonstrating old yarn spinning techniques (which I obviously loved learning about) and a musician playing a lyre in the corner of the Great Hall. One of Oli's favourite features here is the peephole from the gallery down into the Hall, where she can 'spy' on the other visitors - I imagine children (and adults alike!) peeping through this gap over the centuries, too.

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