Nanny Pat’s days out: a woodland walk with a toddler in tow

It was a beautiful, clear and sunny day – perfect exploring weather, and ideal for getting outdoors with an active pre-schooler.

This week, Nanny Pat and Megan headed to one of their favourite places in Cornwall – Trelissick.

We were thrilled to sponsor the Woodland Walk at Trelissick as part of this year’s Fal River Autumn Walking Festival which ran 19 Oct – 4 Nov. Although the festival is now over for another year, there’s a range of excellent self-guided walks you can do at any time of the year.

The beauty of the Woodland Walk at Trelissick is that it can be very different depending on the time of year you go. While the views themselves don’t change, the quality of the light and the number and colour of leaves on the trees change the atmosphere.

In late November, the path is strewn with colourful leaves, and there are lots of interesting things to discover at ground level, as well as things to climb on for a different perspective.

Megan loved hunting for bugs among the leaves and found some interesting fungi (great to look at but not to touch!)

The wooden scuptures were also a big hit. They fit well into the natural environment and unlike many sculptures, experiencing them through touch is a must! This wooden fish looks almost as if it could have been washed up on the beach from the estuary below.

At the end of the walk, Nanny Pat took Megan in to the gallery at Trelissick, where there was a range of fascinating mechanical works of art. The lady in the shop looked on indulgently as Nanny Pat wound them up to Megan’s delight.

Useful information

Trelissick is just off the A39 between Truro and Falmouth and is well signposted. There’s plenty of parking (free for NT members) at the start of the walk.

There’s also a nice cafe with a good range of refreshments available if you fancy something warming after your walk.