Looking out of my window this morning I spotted a glimpse of sunshine which meant only one thing…fresh air and adventures. Okay.. I think I was making it up. The moment we had a picnic packed and loaded the car there was nothing left but a grey sky and a hint of a black rain cloud threatening overhead. Undeterred we headed out to The Wolseley Centre, Nr Rugeley to explore the beautiful grounds.
The Wolseley Centre is Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ and is a hidden gem. Whats more it is completely free to visit. I was feeling quite smug that I had stumbled upon such a lovely place to explore that it totally free.
We were visiting without Mr S today, as he has been working away 🙁 but luckily it was well signposted off the main road, and super easy to find. On arrival there is a large car park which is completely free. A donation for the car park is greatly appreciated and contributes towards the Trust’s work protecting the wildlife. We parked up and headed to the gift shop to pick up a map, and left the gift shop armed with fishing nets, bug pots, and duck food. The girls always manage to con me into spending money.
We headed straight to the Play trail and I have a great tip for you here….perhaps leave this part until the end! I was unable to steer the girls away from the splash bridge…absolute heaven to a 2 year old and a 6 year old, even my little man’s face beamed from his pushchair. The girls spent ages splashing and jumping and tried their hand at a spot of fishing, before returning to the bridge for more splashing.
We tool a stroll around the lake and fed the ducks and geese with our food that we had purchased specially from the gift shop. M wasn’t too impressed with the geese so we didn’t hang around long here. The walk is lovely, it was really quite quiet, and there are lots of benches and picnic tables dotted around to stop and enjoy a drink and a picnic. Another thing that I really liked was that everywhere was really accessible with a pushchair. Visitors can also enjoy the sensory garden, wildlife life garden and 26 acres of beautiful grounds to explore.
It wasn’t long before the grey clouds turned into heavy rain, but the girls insisted on having a picnic, exploring the sensory garden and having a rest on the swing. Needless to say we were pretty wet by this point, so I let them return to the splash bridge for more water fun.. reminding myself that there is no such thing as bad weather…just a bad choice of clothes.
And yes my girls continued their wardrobe habit with a wet splashing walk in tutus. And yes I forgot M’s wellies – we left them behind last weekend. Maybe next time I will try to encourage the splashsuits…..and also remember appropriate footwear 🙂
Need to know;
Opening times – 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
10am to 4pm Saturday & Sunday
Car parking – Free (a small donation is greatly appreciated)
Getting there – The Wolseley Centre is on the A51 near Rugeley (ST17 0WT)
I am linking up our visit to The Wolseley Centre with Coombe Mill for this week’s #CountryKids.
Mrs S
x
For more inspiration head over to the MiniMalpi for outdoor inspiration and a visit to Whisby Nature Park
Wow! I didn’t even know this place existed! Definitely adding it to my to-do list!! AND you ventured out with 3 kids and no Mr S!! Brave lady!!!!
Love the final photo of Lil_E’s yellow wellies and blue tutu…fabulous!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Author
Thanks so much. I am feeling super smug I had a successful outing with 3 kids and without Mr S…. even if we did forget appropriate clothing and wellies for all! thanks for stopping by and commenting xx
I love their outfits. Love the colours on their jumpers and tutus. I love how kids can just get away with everything. My daughter included 🙂 This looks like a lovely day spent outside 🙂 #countrykids
Author
Thanks so much for the lovely comment. They really can just get away with wearing anything. I do secretly love their choices though- I never discourage individuality! ha ha.
I just love the wellies and tu tu look, it is so girls having fun. What a great find this place sounds. Very annoying about the rain coming over but at least you managed a good explore first. It made me smile you finding this place with it’s free car parking and then buying the nets and things. New things are always exciting though and I bet the girls were thrilled to try them out. The river over the bridge looks lots of fun, I’m sure I would have been going home with soaking wet children, and not from the rain!
Thank you for sharing a great looking place on #CountryKids
Author
Fiona I had two very wet children for the drive home. and child A (without wellies) had a boot full of water 🙂 good memories though, and I feel super proud I managed a day out without Mr S. Thanks for hosting, and have a lovely week xx
Uh oh everyone knows about your lovely secret pplace now 😉 It does look fab and I love the bridge that encourages splashing. What a great day out. My daughter is the same when her tutus (yes she has many!) but Im lucky here that the temperature is so cold she has to wear outdoor gear over the top! Well, for now at least…. #countrykidsfun
Author
Whoops I shouldn’t have told everyone 🙂 it was a really lovely day. Even better when it is free. And that wellie/splash bridge… my to year old is still talking about it! thanks for commenting x
That splash bridge would be very popular with my son too. Love the tutus. Looks like a fab place to explore and wonderful that it’s free to enjoy #CountryKids
I absolutely love that last photo – the tutu and wellies combo is just too cute!!
What a wonderful place to explore. I do love the look of that splash bridge – my girls would have a whale of a time on that and I suspect I wouldn’t be able to resist joining in too! I do love the fact that your girls were splashing around in tutus 🙂 #countrykids
Your girls always look so stylish! And that splashing bridge – even I’d have hours of fun with it.
Places like that are so great, sadly not near us but we have our own lovely spots too. I love the fact that it’s picnic time all year for you! #CountryKids