I first went to The Vyne National Trust when I met up with Donna and Katy. It was just Holly and I, as Alice was at preschool. We loved it so much that we’ve been back several times since.
When you first arrive, there is plenty of parking which is free. You make your way to the entrance to either pay or hand over your National Trust Membership card. We have a family membership card, which costs us £9 a month for us all.
As you enter you will notice a block of toilets to your left, don’t worry these aren’t the only toilets on site. There are a further block near the cafe.
There is a bridge that takes you over this most gorgeous lake. My girls love looking out over it at the ducks, who are always passing by.
Just along from the bridge in the first small play area. Here you will find a few tractors children can go on, bouncing cows and a couple of mini lawn mowers. There is also some picnic benches to sit on.
It’s then a short walk along to the main area, where there is a large area with deckchairs put out and is a great place for a picnic. Here you will find the cafe, which has a lovely selection of food. We’ve eaten at the cafe and they do picnic boxes for children. There is also a shop here, which I’ve yet to make it inside. One day I will!
Behind the cafe and shop area is the Hidden Realm, which is the main play area for children. As you can see from the photos above it is set on gravel and the children get very dusty. I now plan ahead what the girls are wearing and try to avoid sandals as their feet get black.
They have a brilliant slide which is big enough for two people to sit side by side or just go down together like my girls do.
Holly’s favourite is the tunnels. There are two tunnels that lead though to the back of the play area. It will be a sad day when Holly is too tall to walk through without bending down. I love a tunnel shot!
There is a bridge you can go across and it leads to a platform area, where there is a fireman pole to go down. If you go with little ones, be careful as the drop is quite high.
What I love about The Vyne is there is just so many places for the children to run and in such pretty settings.
On our most recent visit last month, Andy was with us and we ventured down into the wooded area that we haven’t been to before. We came across this obstacle course, which is Alice’s favourite thing to do.
We then carried on down and managed to go over the lake and come back down the other side. It made for a lovely walk and just the right length for my girls.
Of course there is also the magnificent house to look around. We’ve yet to do this, as my girls are a bit too young to appreciate it. The house is currently having it’s roof restored, but it is still open. They are also doing roof tours which I quite fancy if I ever get to go child-free.
The Vyne is definitely one of our favourites and I already have so many gorgeous photos from our visits there.
Disclosure: I wasn’t asked to write about The Vyne. I’m just sharing as I love to.
Plutonium Sox says
Oh gosh I’m glad it’s not just me that does that thing of going to beautiful national trust places and completely failing to look inside with the children! This looks like a lovely place, love all the play areas and obstacle courses!
Nat.x
The Vyne says
Hi Laura,
Thanks for the lovely write-up!
We’re glad you and the children enjoy visiting us. Just so you know, the rooftop walkway is open to visitors of all ages and we have a lift. This is open 10am-4pm with last entry at 3:30pm.
Thanks again for supporting us and we hope to see you again soon.
The Vyne Team.
Jessamine Hislop says
The Vyne is our list of National Trust places to visit, it definitely looks like a good day out #SharingtheBlogLove