Looking for somewhere different to go? Eliza and I popped into Sledmere House the other day. We had a really fun time in a beautiful place! It is superbly located on the Yorkshire Wolds.
In recent times, Sledmere have put new things in for children including a relocated, new adventure playground. The animals are really accessible and friendly. You can get up close and personal with the Sledmere Shires – big friendly giants who live in the stable yard behind the cafe. In Hampton Paddock, there are pigs, sheep, cows, turkeys, chickens and rabbits which are all very close, with helpful signs so you can talk through the different breeds with your children and explain their provenance at Sledmere.
Did you know the closest living animal to a T-Rex is a chicken?
It was however the goats who stole the show! Geoffrey and his two friends were just delightful. Eliza and I were lucky enough to go in with them. They were so friendly! As you head towards the new adventure playground, the goats show you how they do a see-saw!
The NEW Spotty Pig Adventure Playground was great fun! The play equipment is great for all ages, from babies (including baby swings) to approx 10 years with a zip wire. It is situated within the trees so you can have great fun starting or ending your scavenger hunt here!
The grounds are extensive and it is a great place for a scavenger hunt. You can either develop your own or this summer, Sledmere had a map and a little checklist to help you along! We even found some fairy doors! Eliza’s face certainly lit up at this point.
Autumn is a great time for a walk and a hunt! Conkers are the obvious – horse chestnut trees stand tall allowing you to spot the different leaves and then find the bounty underneath. However, there are many different trees, so it’s a great place to learn about the different trees (both evergreen and deciduous), collect the different leaves and then make a picture when you get home. We also found pine cones (a really big one!), beech nuts and husks, feathers, pine needles and much more as well as spotting a squirrel, water spider, water snail and many birds. When we got home, everything was got out, laid out and Eliza made some photos. She then talked Henry (who had been at school) through each one as to what she had found – she’d clearly had a nice time!
The Walled Garden is beautiful and very peaceful. The children love the layout though with paths to run along – just be careful of the Mirror Pond… If you have Granny with you, don’t forget to take her here!
One tip is to go to the toilet before heading out exploring as there aren’t any in the grounds. It is a great place to meet friends for lunch or pop in after your class or activity. Or a place you can introduce your little ones to nature and agriculture.
Once you have explored the beautiful grounds, there is a lovely cafe where you can enjoy refreshments. There is plenty of space and everyone is really friendly.
We didn’t go into the house on this occasion, but I have been in before, it is beautiful with loads of interesting things to see as well as great views across the estate.
Sledmere run an annual friends pass scheme which allows you to have free entry all year round. In addition, there is free entry to many of their events including the upcoming:
‘Children’s Petrifying Pumpkin Hunt and Halloween Experience’
as well as priority booking for the:
‘Musical Fireworks Spectacular’.
Plus discounts for food and drink bought on site. Adults are £30, Children (over 5 years) £10 with under 5’s free.
Sledmere, Driffield, Yorkshire YO25 3XG
T: 01377 236637
E: info@sledmerehouse.com
Website