New Forest Part 2

Tuesday - after breakfast we set off for Corfe Castle Took over an hour to get there due to distance and traffic. They had rather a fantastic visitors centre in the car park with some really good artefacts and activities. The walk from the car park through a wooded valley with stream and some ruins and up a mountain to the castle was really lovely, although crossing the road in between two blind bends was a bit scary!

Crossing the bridge to the gatehouse


Wonky remains


On the way down again


Waiting for lunch in the NT tea room


Lunch was rather pleasant and then we had a mooch around the NT gift shop. Fran and Charlie both bought a bow and arrow and Fran also bought a cuddly dog whose name varied from Disney to Rowan to Ella to other things throughout the week and two little birthstones. Charlie also bought some birthstones and then wanted to donate some money to the castle so the member of staff helped him by explaining that if he handed cash over it went to the NT but if he bought a cuddly dragon keyring that money went straight to the Castle so he went for that option and handed over £3.

Back down through the gorgeous valley - much better on the way down and some playing in the stream.



We found these amazing little mushrooms growing in some ruins of the mill by the stream


Back to the car where we were treated to the stream train going past.

On the way home I saw signs for a Toy Museum so decided to take one of my fantastic surprise detours.





We got back to the lodge and they both went out to play with their bows arrows.


View from lodge


Bows and arrows


We had dinner that night at the second restaurant at the complex and it was lasagne all round and very nice too but not quite up to The Bistro's standard according to the little ones! Back to the lodge for more bow and arrow play and baths and then DS and reading before bed.