Get outdoors

Family-friendly muddy walks for autumn

The great British countryside is full of stunning walks. And a few rainy days in autumn create lots of muddy slopes you can stroll down. This is fun for the whole family, including young children. After all, can any child resist a muddy puddle?

Donnington Castle Donnington, West Berkshire, RG14 2LE

I hadn’t been to Donnington Castle since I was a child and decided it would be a fun place to have a picnic with the children.

The castle is impressively situated on a small hill with wide views over the surrounding area, and it is in a peaceful spot. We enjoyed sitting – and running! - in the middle of what was once the castle, although picturing the layout of the old castle requires imagination. There are still two spooky towers intact with a vaulted ceiling that you can see when peeking through the gates and gargoyles glaring from the walls; however these towers are inaccessible due to locked gates, and so we had to speculate about what it might be like inside and if anybody ever enters.

This is a lovely spot, and there are several local walks that take in the castle and its surroundings. I thought the children might be disappointed that there wasn’t more to explore in the castle, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much intrigue can be generated by mysterious towers and ruined walls!

Donnington Castle

Old Sarum

Tegg’s Nose Country Park

Tegg’s Nose Country Park (www.teggsnose.co.uk) in Cheshire is teeming with trails and families of all ages can enjoy exploring the grassy fields.

The Gritstone Trail, which runs from Disley to Kidsgrove, travels through Tegg’s Nose. The country park also has a tearoom you can enjoy at the beginning or the end of your walk.

Brecon Beacons National Park

The Welsh countryside is home to a multitude of walks. To get started, visit Brecon Beacons National Park (www.breconbeacons.org).

There are lots of fun activities to do, from exploring Cantref Adventure Farm to running around the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Definitely a full day of fun….

Brecon Beacons National Park

Old Sarum

To explore the muddy countryside and learn about English history, you can take your family on a walk to Old Sarum (www.englishheritage.org.uk) in Wiltshire.

The structure, otherwise known as the Iron Age Hillfort of Old Sarum, was first built around 400BC. For an experience like no other, wrap up warm and embark on a muddy walk to remember for years to come.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens

Yorkshire is home to some of the most beautiful country walks in England, including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens (www.nationaltrust.org.uk). There are miles of walking paths on offer, from the Ripon and Fountains Abbey walk to the Lost Spa trail. Regardless of where you choose to walk, if it rains the grass will be green and the hills will invariably be muddy.

Morden Hall Park Ham House and Garden

Morden Hall Park (www. nationaltrust.org.uk) is an outdoor oasis in London and a great place to escape to. Under 5’s can take part in the Park Explorers programme and enjoy story-led activities. Ham House (www. nationaltrust.org.uk) is a seventeenth-century manor in Surrey. The grounds offer lots of fun activities for children of all ages.