Oxburgh Hall (July 2016)

In early July, we took a day trip to Oxburgh Hall (pronounced "ox-burrah," similar to Edinburgh) as a day out. It's about an hour from here in Norfolk, and a National Trust site. It was built in the 1400s and although it looks like a moated castle, it has always been a family home. It was originally built in the shape of a U, but a fourth wall was built in the 1800s. It's situated in some beautiful gardens, with its own chapel, and meadows beyond.

I had seen online before we left that it was "National Meadow Day" (or something like that), so upon arrival we initially headed away from the house and toward one of the site's meadows. They had set up a station in the meadow with lots of animal-exploring devices. Charlotte was REALLY into using the magnifying glass and bug jar, and we carried a butterfly net around with us (but didn't meet with much success). We checked out lots of slugs, snails, and some dragonflies. She really enjoyed it, and it was awesome to see her little toddler scientist brain at work.

Heading to the meadows!

View of the house from the meadow path

Loving this "clubhouse" (as Charlotte called it)

Found an eggshell!

Looking at a meadow find

After making a lap through the meadow, we headed back to the house and crossed the moat to enter the main courtyard. There were some beautiful flowers in the courtyard, and then we headed into the house itself. The National Trust tries to find ways to keep kids interested and entertained, and we were thrilled to find an "I Spy" activity (laminated cards on a metal ring) that we could borrow as we walked through the house. For each room, there was a card to correspond with one or two items for kids to search for, like a clock on a mantel. She was really into it! And Paul and I definitely appreciated how it allowed us to actually look around each room ourselves while she was occupied.

The best part of the house was the priest's hole. Because it was a Catholic house, there was a special hiding spot for the priest to hide when anti-Catholics came through the area. I believe we have seen one of these holes at another house (or at least heard of them), but this house was unique in that it allows you to crawl into it (if you dare and think you will fit!). It was a small opening to slide through, but large enough to stand up in once you were inside. Charlotte especially liked it and didn't really want to leave.

Summer roses

View of the house across the moat

Running around the gardens

Late medieval architecture

After exploring the gardens and the chapel, we headed to the little cafe just outside the gatehouse to enjoy a lunch. We were lucky that the tables were under large umbrellas, as the skies opened up twice while we ate. It felt very English summer-y, eating packaged cafe sandwiches at garden tables as rain showers passed through. A nice day out, especially since Charlotte seemed to really enjoy each part of the day!

View from our table (can't really see the raindrops)