Spring is Springing

There's finally a hint of spring in the air, with the promise of longer days and sunshine, so we celebrated by taking a trip to one of our many favourite National Trust properties, Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire.

This wonderful property is a mish-mash of architectural styles, from the medieval great hall, to black-and-white timbered buildings, and later additions through the centuries too. There are suits of armour in the hall with bits that visitors can try on, games set up in the old schoolroom, and balance bikes for children to play on in the courtyard.

In the past we've been there while there have been archery butts set up in the orchard, dancers in the welcome courtyard, and lawn games in the ornamental gardens - it's also very rare that we leave without buying a book from the second-hand book store!

With a canal running next to the field, and a lovely looping walk to the church and back, it's a perfect place to while away an afternoon.