The team at Heligan always come up with innovative ideas to entertain families in the school holidays, and this Easter was no exception. Most children I know have some (or all, in our case) of the delightful stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler for bedtime reading. Their book, The Scarecrows’ Wedding, was chosen as the theme for Heligan’s Easter holiday adventure.
Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay appeared on boards dotted around the gardens on a trail signposted with yellow Easter boards and ribbons. The children were given a jute bag and told to collect five items from the story: a ring, a flower, a shell, a bell, and a feather. They were hidden in wooden treasure chests along the trail, which winds its way through the gardens.
It was a lovely spring day and delightful to see the gardens waking up, buds bursting forth on the fruit trees in the vegetable garden and the camellias and magnolia trees in full bloom. The animal barn was bursting into life too, with some newborn lambs and piglets delighting all the visitors.
The Stewards’ Garden was Scarecrow HQ, where the children could plant a sunflower seed and make a scarecrow on a wooden spoon. Outside were various old-fashioned fun games such as hooking the duck, racing hobby horses and hoop la. Just next door in the field was Heligan’s wonderful home made adventure playground.
On the way back we stopped to watch the wood turning near the animal barn. Sam was fascinated to see the skill of a craftsman turning pieces of wood into the most fabulous little spinning tops shaped like acorns, which are on sale in the shop.
It was a fabulous day out for three generations of our family and I must congratulate the Heligan team for yet again providing a mix of fun, craft and adventure, and playing outdoors, where children are meant to be.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding runs until Sunday 15 April 2018. All the activities are included in the entry price.
Find out more about The Scarecrows’ Wedding at Heligan >
If you would like to know more about booking a holiday here at Bosinver, please email reception@bosinver.co.uk or call 01726 72128.
