Newstead Abbey - History and Exploring

This last few weeks have seen illness in The Mummy Diary house so I haven't been up to writing much.

So with the sun shining and the family together (hubby has been away for a week) we decided to head out to the Car Boot followed by a trip to Newstead Abbey, we haven't been here with the kids before so it was a lovely place to take them.

I love the imposing facade of the Abbey (which wasn't actually ever an Abbey apparently) it was simply stunning against the blue skies.

First we walked down to the waterfall, you can walk behind it and it is a lovely experience for the children.

View out from behind the waterfall, I like to wonder who might have stood looking out from here.

Lots of space to run....and run!

The back of the house, beautiful with the blue backdrop.

Lots of lovely peacocks, loved this one walking up the stairs

The gorgeous walled garden, stunning blossoms and hedges

I love finding out brickwork and gates, so beautiful.

Looking into the pond, no fish just pond skaters...

The rose garden was beautiful...

Next, to the Japanese Gardens, these stunning gardens are all laid out presumably to make for wonderful features to paint, images to think and write about, you can see how this would have been  inspiration.

Next, to the rock garden, up and down the rockery

And finally into the woods to do a bit of exploring and bug finding...

We only found a few woodlice...

Finally a quick walk along the path ledge and off take part in the easter activities, my son decorated a cake and my daughter made an easter themed plate.

We had a wonderful few hours at Newstead, it is a wonderful place steeped in history and magnificent  decoration and architecture.

Linking up to Country Kids over on Coombe Mill