A Simple Life of Luxury

Playing in the water at Somerford Keynes

After a busy day on Saturday, the plan for Sunday was a day by the lakeside at the Cotswold Water Park.

Thankfully the weather co-operated and we had what was probably the best day so far of the summer with temperatures at around 30ºC and glorious sunshine. A little too hot really, but we are British and therefore never completely happy about the weather!

Of course, the warm weather and the school holidays meant that it was pretty busy at Somerford keynes, but we soon found a spot and set up camp for the day. The lake itself is quite large with several different areas. We had been to one area before where you can hire canoes and such like, but today we went to the area specifically for under 8’s. It has various bits of playground equipment, a small artificial sandy beach and a small enclosed shallow area of the lake. This meant that the little-ones could run around and play all day long whilst the adults sat and relaxed. Not really my sort of thing so I soon had itchy feet and wanted to do something, but Morgan was having fun so in the end watching him play with his cousins was my entertainment for the day, interspersed with the odd little stroll here and there.

There is also a large beach-like area opposite the children’s area where there are playgrounds for older children and a designated swimming area. This area is larger than the ‘younger children’s’ area. We did have out inflatable canoe with us and probably should have pumped it up and put it on the water but we weren’t sure of the restrictions. Also I would have had to do this away from everyone else which wasn’t really the idea. I was hoping we would have been able to use it on the lake and let everyone have a go so that I could have taken the children on trips of ‘adventure and exploration’ around the lake. Maybe next time.

As well as the various swimming areas and the watersports region of the lake, there is also a shop, lots of barbeque area and a high ropes adventure facility. It is also possible to fish on the lake and I’m sure there are some decent fish in there. We saw loads of baby fish in the swimming area and from the balcony around the shop it was possible to see loads of huge mirror carp too.

All in all it was a good day out with perfect weather, nice lake scenery and most importantly Morgan got to play with his cousins all day long.

It didn’t end there either because once home The water-slide came out in the garden and Morgan, Megan, Harry, Charlie, Jack, Kia and Shaun had a whale of a time playing in the garden too.

Anna enjoying the sunshine

Morgan playing in a rubber dinghy

Fun in the sun at Cotswold Water Park

Somerford Keynes Water Park

We’ve just got back from a busy weekend. We drove to my parents house in South Gloucestershire on Friday evening. Saturday was then spent first taking my car to a garage in Dursley. Mitsubishi had recalled all cars like mine to have a part exchanged so as they were doing it for free in it went and we found a playground for Morgan to play on.

Next stop was a trip to Ikea for Anna. It isn’t often that we get to go to ‘big’ shops. We had breakfast in Ikea although I think I was cheated out of a sausage and a hash brown! We then bought a few bits and pieces before heading off to the Early Learning Centre where Morgan bought a new toy! Next was lunch in the Pizza Hut Another treat whilst in the big smoke!

We then drove out of Bristol and back to South Gloucestershire, up onto the Cotswolds and visited the National Trust property of Newark House. Morgan fell asleep on the way there so we sat in the car park for a while. Anna had a sleep too so I sat there twiddling my thumbs waiting for them both to wake up. By the time we were ready it was getting late so we didn’t have much time but we did manage a quick look around the house and a quick stroll through the woodland garden.

Newark House is situated high on Cotswold Hills so has some really nice views over the rolling Gloucestershire countryside. Many of the views are completely devoid of anything from the 20th Century. The house itself started life as a hunting lodge in 1550 and is now owned by the Clutterbuck family who bought it in 1790. The Clutterbuck Family still own it and live in it although some parts are open to the public.

Morgan quite enjoyed his quick look around the house as there was a little teddy-bear hunt with bears hidden in each room for the little-ones to find.

After wandering around the house we had an ice cream and then took a stroll through the woodland and down to the lake before heading back to my parents for dinner.

As with many National Trust properties, the admission price is quite steep unless you have an annual membership or are particularly interested in the history. We like stopping off at these places and with a membership it doesn’t matter if you don’t spend too long there or visit often for a nice little walk. To be honest we aren’t that interested in the history. I do like the gardens and we do like to have a quick nose around the property. The advantage of the membership though is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t spend too long there as you don’t feel as though you need to get your moneys-worth on that one visit.

Newark Park Gardens

Morgan with ice-cream on his nose!

Anna and Morgan at Newark Park

Newark Park

Sunlit garden building at Newark Park

Summer Foliage at Newark Park

Newark Park House

A tired 3yr old!