Kent


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023.jpg" alt="Easter Trail National Trust Chartwell 2023" class="wp-image-85739" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/Easter-Trail-National-Trust-Chartwell-2023-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s a wonderful time of year to get outside and get back to nature. So if you’re keen to get your rabble off screens and enjoying the spring weather this holiday, a good old nature trail is always a winner.</p>



<p>In Kent we&#8217;re blessed with several stunning National Trust properties &#8211; with Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Ightham Mote and Scotney Castle being just a few of them. And they are all offering Easter Trails to get your kids off the sofa, engaged in the great outdoors &#8211; and eating chocolate (of course).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1088" height="736" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1.jpg" alt="National-Trust-ImagesChartwell" class="wp-image-85735" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1.jpg 1088w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1-800x541.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1-1000x676.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1-400x271.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1-768x520.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1-776x525.jpg 776w" sizes="(max-width: 1088px) 100vw, 1088px" /><figcaption>National Trust James Dobson</figcaption></figure>



<p>So I took my friend, Louisa, (and her gorgeous girls) along to the Easter Trail at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Chartwell (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell" target="_blank">Chartwell</a> (hey, who knows, maybe I&#8217;ll work/eat my way round all the National Trust trails one-by-one). I&#8217;m a particular fan of this stunning country house and grounds &#8211; I love the history of the place and there&#8217;s loads of activities to be found in the woods if you have older kids that need to blow off steam. (More on this below).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9.jpg" alt="The shop at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85657" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-9-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Not been? Chartwell, in Westerham, near Sevenoaks, is famous for being the family home of Sir Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine. And their character and legacy is still found around every corner.</p>



<p>The gardens here are amazing all year round, but at Easter the team go the extra mile and invite guests to discover the grounds in a new way.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/27b32e5e-ae82-4704-98ff-3b5cb82a7a4e.jpg" alt="The grounds at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-71668" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/27b32e5e-ae82-4704-98ff-3b5cb82a7a4e.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/27b32e5e-ae82-4704-98ff-3b5cb82a7a4e-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/27b32e5e-ae82-4704-98ff-3b5cb82a7a4e-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/27b32e5e-ae82-4704-98ff-3b5cb82a7a4e-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/27b32e5e-ae82-4704-98ff-3b5cb82a7a4e-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Not far from Sevenoaks and just off the A25 / A21 it&#8217;s easily accessible with a decent-sized car park too. Visit in the Easter holidays and you can follow the trail at&nbsp;Chartwell&nbsp;through Churchill’s gardens and get to know the animals and wildlife all over the estate.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8.jpg" alt="The grounds at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85656" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-8-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Churchill was a big lover of wildlife &#8211; including butterflies &#8211; time it right (from late March) and you&#8217;ll see plenty of them fluttering around the bright blossoms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1.jpg" alt="A family on the Easter trail at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85662" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This spring, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Chartwell on the ‘Being Winston’ trail, where they&#8217;ll explore elements of Churchill&#8217;s life, career and hobbies. With an Activity Sheet and a series of numbers to guide you, there&#8217;s lots to enjoy from the officer training obstacle course, Easter themed paintings, topics to debate and even a spot of croquet! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7.jpg" alt="A family on the Easter trail at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85660" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-7-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Don’t forget to fill out your activity sheet &#8211; all with the promise of a chocolate egg to enjoy (not for you, for the kids, greedy). There&#8217;s loads at this venue to entertain the adults as well &#8211; did you know Churchill was a talented artist &#8211; and you can visit his studio here too? We also discovered a croquet lawn which was great fun (below).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4.jpg" alt="A family on the Easter trail at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85653" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-4-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-dates">COST &amp; DATES</h2>



<p>The trail will run <strong>Sat 1 &#8211; Sun 16 April</strong>; £3 per child (in addition to normal admission price). Head to the Visitor centre on arrival. The price of the trail is £3 and includes a trail map, pencil and a chocolate egg.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6.jpg" alt="A family on the Easter trail at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85655" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-6-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-to-know">GOOD TO KNOW</h2>



<p>It was a rather wet day when we visited &#8211; which didn&#8217;t hamper our enjoyment at all so I can only imagine how stunning this would be on a sunny spring day. There&#8217;s a craft stall about half way round the trail &#8211; which is covered too (pictured above).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail.jpg" alt="A family on the Easter trail at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85659" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>And, if you&#8217;ve got energy to burn and want a longer romp, I can highly recommend heading into the woodland area where there are lots of natural playgrounds to enjoy. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/e1bef3ba-c2ae-4e78-bacd-b5a6320f8afe.jpg" alt="A map of Chartwell, Westerham in Kent" class="wp-image-71681" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/e1bef3ba-c2ae-4e78-bacd-b5a6320f8afe.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/e1bef3ba-c2ae-4e78-bacd-b5a6320f8afe-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/e1bef3ba-c2ae-4e78-bacd-b5a6320f8afe-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/e1bef3ba-c2ae-4e78-bacd-b5a6320f8afe-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/e1bef3ba-c2ae-4e78-bacd-b5a6320f8afe-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>From the Treehouse to Canadian Camp your kids can have plenty of outdoor adventures. There&#8217;s even an old Bomb Crater which has been converted into a play area with nets and ropes to pull yourself up the sides.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/Chartwell-cafe.jpg" alt="The cafe at National Trust Chartwell " class="wp-image-71684" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/Chartwell-cafe.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/Chartwell-cafe-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/Chartwell-cafe-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/Chartwell-cafe-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/04/Chartwell-cafe-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The café is really good here too (can highly recommend the lemon drizzle cake) and there&#8217;s a lovely shop &#8211; particularly good for garden enthusiasts and even a magical Secondhand Bookshop too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3.jpg" alt="A family on the Easter trail at Chartwell, Kent" class="wp-image-85652" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/04/chartwell-easter-trail-3-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>FOR THE KIDS:</strong> The weather wasn&#8217;t particularly kind when we visited but even on a drizzly, grey day the trail was a joy &#8211; so long as you’ve got the right clothing. The whole idea is a great opportunity for kids to be more mindful and appreciate nature. </p>



<p>What&#8217;s more &#8211; there&#8217;s the option of adding in the natural adventure areas in the woods for more energetic legs. It&#8217;s true that simple pleasures like tree houses and dens can easily be forgotten in these days of constant electronic entertainment but actually once the kids are out of the house and away from gadgets they revel in it.</p>



<p><strong>FOR THE GROWN-UPS:</strong> There is nothing more uplifting at this time of year than when Nature gives herself a glow-up after the long winter. And is there a better place to soak up the floral blooms and blossoms exploding into life everywhere &#8211; than the simply stunning grounds of a National Trust property? You won&#8217;t be able to resist snapping photos for your insta-feed. Spring has sprung &#8211; get out there and enjoy it!</p>



<p><em>Chartwell, Mapleton Rd, Westerham TN16 1PS, Tel: 01732 868381, </em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="National Trust Chartwell (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell" target="_blank"><em>National Trust</em> <em>Chartwell</em></a>.</p>


Muddy reviews: The Easter Trail at Chartwell, Westerham

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