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Elvaston Castle, Elvaston
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Out of 1 review
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| Address: |
Borrowash Road Elvaston Derbyshire England DE72 3EP |
| Telephone: | 01332 571342 |
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Elvaston Castle overview
If the 200 acres of woodlands, gardens and forest walks won't tempt you, maybe the squirrels, ducks and magnificent Gothic house will! Elvaston Castle has a myriad of uses and pleasures for all ...
types, be it relaxing on the lawns or a game of hide and seek.
If you prefer a slower pace of life then maybe a walk around the lake with the many different aquatic birds would be nice, just make sure to say hello to Cyril and all his Squirrel friends! For those who have endless energy and an inquisitive nature there are longer more challenging walks around the nature reserve and extensive gardens with all sorts of fantastical and magical places to discover... see if you can find the 'Secret' garden...!
Make sure to drop by the quaint tea house in the castle and sample the extensive range of home made delights, the carrot cake comes highly recommended! In these courtyards you will also find the tourist information and gift shop. Although the castle isn't currently open to the public it is still a beautiful backdrop and is a popular wedding venue.
Dogs are very welcome as long as they are accompanied by conscientious owners, there's miles of land for the them and children to run free. If you are looking to while away a few hours then Elvaston Castle is the place to visit.
Lazy summer picnics
12 May 2011
Visited with: Infant, Child
I have been visiting Elvaston castle since being a child myself so it will always hold a special place in my heart! The castle and grounds itself are free although there is a carparking charge of £1.50.
It is the epitome of nature and adventure and I cannot wait until my son is old enough to explore the trees and fields and rocky areas! There are plenty of wide open spaces for family gatherings and games of rounders. There are also lots of hidden fields and spaces for picnics in picturesque gardens.
The play park area they have at the start is fairly new and well kept with a diverse range of swings, climbing frames etc. Along one edge of the first main field there is a small and basic asphault course which has stood the test of time for many many years! There used to be a smaller wooden framed park a little further in behind a small hill although I haven't looked if its still there for a few years.
The lake which the walk takes you around is full of fish and ducks and you will almost always see at least 1 squirrel on your way through. There are several trees good for climbing and the bushes and undergrowth through the wooded area are every little adventurers dream with little hidden paths that run parallel with the main one.
The castle itself is still picturesque and the gardens below and around it are still very well kept. There is a coffee shop and snack bar open in the courtyard although during winter opening times are few and far between. There is a gift and information shop/centre within the courtyards as well as 2 very small exhibits which again have been there at least 20 years. There are toilets but I have never had to use baby changing facilities here so I'm unsure if there even are any.
It is still a working stables and they offer pre-booked horse riding lessons. They often have horses in fields next to picnic areas and you are allowed to touch them.
There is an English country garden within a walled area which is a pleasant place to visit although they are in the process of repairing several areas due to damage from high winds on the walls so the scaffolding dulls down the affect slightly. But it is a peaceful and serene area to sit for a moment or two.
You could easily spend the day here with a picnic and acres of land to explore and apart from the parking charge it is a free day out for all.
Tags: free, nature, adventure, play area
