When Mr Tin Box announced he was cycling 100 miles along the South Downs Way in aid of the British Heart Foundation this left me and the girls at a bit of a loose end. I didn’t much fancy cheering him along so we decided to visit Staunton Country Park with our lovely friend who’s partner was also on the ride.
Staunton is in Havant in east Hampshire. It has a 1830s style ornamental farm, walled garden and a landscaped parklands, so plenty to keep little people occupied all day.
We found it really easy to locate the country park off the A27 from Portsmouth to Chichester and there was plenty of parking.
You have to pay to park but this can be redeemed against your entrance fee to the farm and gardens. Make sure you take coins as the parking machines weren’t accepting cards when we visited.
Once we were in the farm our first stop was the cafe for lunch. There’s a selection of rolls, paninis and cakes, as well as lunch bags for kids. A couple of rolls, drinks and a kids lunch bag with sandwich, juice and three snacks cost just over £12.
While we ate we were entertained by numerous breeds of wild foul who fearlessly roamed around the picnic tables looking for scraps. They quickly homed in on TBT expecting the small child to drop something tasty.
TBT couldn’t help but clock the play park right next to the cafe, so that was where we headed next. She spent ages going up and down the slides, climbing into the tree houses and playing on the spinning poles.
After what seemed like an age we persuaded TBT to look at some of the animals. The farm has pigs, sheep, donkeys, Shetland ponies and llamas and alpacas. There’s also a pets corner with smaller animals for visitors to handle.
We visited the Children’s Paddock where there were a couple of sheep and goats to meet. TBT found a friend who was equally interested in looking at the animals.
This entertained TBT for a few minutes before we had to return to the slide. After a bit more ‘wheely fast’ whizzing down the slides and spins on the pole we moved on to the soft play barn. There’s an exciting looking climbing frame for kids over the age of five and a softer area for the babies and toddlers. As it was a beautiful sunny day this area was relatively quiet.
All too soon it was time for us to go. On our way out of the park we quickly popped our heads into the walled garden, which was beautiful.
I would have liked to have looked inside the Victorian glasshouses – the largest on the South Coast – but as we were already sweating we decided to leave it for another day.
We left the park having explored just a small part of the farm and gardens, and intend visiting again to see the Jubilee Maze, kids trails and landscaped parklands.
In case you were wondering, Mr TB completed the ride in 12 hours and raised £150 quid for the British Heart Foundation. I love hearing what people think about my blog so feel free to leave a comment below and browse around. You can also find me on Bloglovin’, or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Claire is an award-winning UK travel blogger who has been writing about family holidays and outdoor adventures for nearly 15 years. She is also the blogger behind the Devon with Kids and Oman Wanderlust websites, which share her expert knowledge of these two niche destinations
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Great day out. Looks like lots to see and do without being overwhelming. The walled garden does look inviting. I can quite imagine wandering around the paths. You'll have to go back and look at the greenhouse. I bet it has interesting plants in there. #CountryKids
Sounds like a success all round! Well done your husband, a great achievement and satisfying I should think. Looks like a lovely girls day out for you as well with the children all well and truly catered for at the lovely country park. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Loving the new design, it looks fab! And well done to Mr TBT for that great cycling effort.
Staunton looks like an amazing place to visit, I love the photo with the sheep looking in the pen too, very cute. Loads to do and definitely another visit to see the rest, don't blame you for avoiding the glasshouses on such a warm day, it must be roasting in there!
Firstly LOVE the new design Claire – your header is so lovely – and sums TBT up perfectly! Staunton looks like a wonderful place to visit. I love a walled garden, think I would have left the glasshouse too in that heat. Looks like you had a great day out! Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
Congratulations to Mr TB! Wow those gardens look beautiful. I adore the picture of your daughter with her new little friend. That's such a precious moment. This looks like such a fun day out. I love going to farms and seeing how excited the little ones (and bigger ones *cough*) get over seeing the fluffy animals. Thank you so much for linking up to #whatevertheweather xx
Looks a lovely place to visit and not too far from us so will be checking this one out! Thanks for sharing #Countrykids
What gorgeous photos – looks like a really lovely day out, slides AND animals.
Great day out. Looks like lots to see and do without being overwhelming. The walled garden does look inviting. I can quite imagine wandering around the paths. You'll have to go back and look at the greenhouse. I bet it has interesting plants in there. #CountryKids
Sounds like a success all round! Well done your husband, a great achievement and satisfying I should think. Looks like a lovely girls day out for you as well with the children all well and truly catered for at the lovely country park. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Loving the new design, it looks fab! And well done to Mr TBT for that great cycling effort.
Staunton looks like an amazing place to visit, I love the photo with the sheep looking in the pen too, very cute. Loads to do and definitely another visit to see the rest, don't blame you for avoiding the glasshouses on such a warm day, it must be roasting in there!
Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather. 🙂 x
Sounds like a great day out! And well done Mr TB! #Whatevertheweather x
Firstly LOVE the new design Claire – your header is so lovely – and sums TBT up perfectly! Staunton looks like a wonderful place to visit. I love a walled garden, think I would have left the glasshouse too in that heat. Looks like you had a great day out! Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
Congratulations to Mr TB! Wow those gardens look beautiful. I adore the picture of your daughter with her new little friend. That's such a precious moment. This looks like such a fun day out. I love going to farms and seeing how excited the little ones (and bigger ones *cough*) get over seeing the fluffy animals. Thank you so much for linking up to #whatevertheweather xx
Looks like a lovely day out! Your photos are gorgeous. #whatevertheweather
The gardens were beautiful. We have to explore them more next time we visit!
It was. I wish we'd had more time 🙂
Looks so perfect there! Animals and pretty garden is my requirement for a nice place to visit and this one have them both! #MondayEscapes
Looks like a lot of fun! 🙂
Thanks! He's still a bit sore 🙂
We did. I can recommend 🙂
Tin Box Tot is two and a half, and really enjoyed herself 🙂
That looks like a lovely day out, and well done Mr TB #MondayEscapes
It sounds and looks like you had a great day! That looks a great place to visit x
This sounds like the perfect family day out, I think my little boy is just at the right age to appreciate something like this #MummyMondays