Easter @ Brockholes

It has become a running tradition in our family over the last couple of years that we will take part in the annual Easter activities up at Brockholes. For those who have never been, Brockholes is an “un-reserved nature reserve” up at Samlesbury, Preston and it is one of our favourite places to go on a sunny day.

Each year there are a whole host of events scheduled, all sorts of craft classes, planned walks and seasonal activities, but our favourites are most definitely the treasure hunts. And this year was no different. At just £3 per entrant it is an affordable way to spend a day, especially for larger families like ourselves, even with the inevitable ice cream from the restaurant afterwards!

Run in partnership with the British Orienteering Association, this years Easter Xplorer Challenge took us through woods, fields, walkways and rough terrain. Although advertised as pram friendly, the state of our pram wheels strongly refuted that claim, and yet it was exactly what we needed to get outside, breathe in the fresh air and let the little ones run wild!

Over the course of the afternoon we followed the map to find the fifteen hidden clues, solved the problems (simple questions that the children could answer, eg. What is a baby duck called?) and wrote them down on our answer sheet. The most difficult part was reading the map, something which neither Gaz nor I did very well at, and more than once found ourselves way off the mark wandering around in the woods!

We were very lucky that the weather was so lovely, there is nothing nicer than getting outdoors and enjoying the blue skies and spring sunshine. Harry especially just loves to run, once he is out of the restraints of his pram there really is no stopping him!

Eventually we found all fifteen clues and, despite getting one wrong,  (Who knew a baby rabbit was called a kit?!) the children checked in their answers and received their prize!!

And almost everybody was happy……

But despite being tired and a little bit grumpy, we had such a lovely day. We will most definitely be returning to Brockholes for the next event, or just the next sunny day, for a walk, a play on the play area or a picnic. I always think that there is something so relaxing about being on the water, and this place, and these views, most definitely re-inforce that.

I hope that you all had a lovely, relaxing, sunshine filled Easter, we certainly did!!