Picnic and cycle with the National Trust!
With so many National Trust properties all over the south east, there is lots of choice when you’re packing up the hamper with all sorts of goodies for a relaxing afternoon. Or if you’re feeling a bit more active, how about joining in with the cycling festival between 16 and 24 July?
Summer at Stansted Park
All sorts of great things are happening every Wednesday in August at Stansted Park – picnics, theatre, dressing up – fun for all the family.
Fantastic Mr Fox visits Bedgebury
Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox is being brought to life this summer at Bedgebury.
Rain doesn’t spoil the fun at Rippledown
Despite the rain, visitors flocked to Rippledown, the environmental education centre near Deal and Dover, as it opened its doors for their first Family Outdoor Activity Day on Sunday 5th June.
Countryside 2011 a great success!
With more than 900 events listed on the Event Directory, there was something to suit everyone who took part in Countryside 2011 throughout the South East. From walking and cycling in Kent to dragon boats in Buckinghamshire; falconry in Oxfordshire to fairy gardens in East Sussex; from mountain boarding in West Sussex to riding in Berkshire.
Today is the last day of Countryside 2011!
We hope you have enjoyed your experience of Countryside 2011, tried a wealth of different outdoor activities, and want to carry on and do more! With some much to see and do in the English countryside, we hope you’re tempted out into the Great Outdoors for good!
Open Farm Sunday this weekend!
With around 430 events on the Event Directory to choose from this weekend, Countryside 2011 is delighted to announce that more than 30 farms taking part in Open Farm Sunday this Sunday 12 June throughout the South East are included in the Directory. Why not check and see if there’s one near you?
Popular Steam Weekend in West Sussex
The Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre near Arundel in West Sussex, holds its popular steam engine event this weekend – a fantastic summer weekend treat not to be missed! The museum has created a special offer for Countryside 2011 – one child free per full paying adult.
Try some delicious cheeses from Lyburn
Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers, in the heart of the New Forest, make a wide range of cheese from their own cows, and specialise in a more continental type of soft cheese.
Great outdoor activities to try on the Isle of Wight
Try something new for Countryside 2011 and have a go at sailing in the Solent with Pelican Racing, or why not take on a tree-climbing course with Goodleaf?
Falconry at Lainston House Hotel
Lainston House Hotel in Hampshire has introduced some very special new residents. Nine aviaries housing a variety of birds of prey including Harris Hawks, a Bengal Eagle and a Tawny Owl and Barn Owl have been created.
Plenty of boating opportunities in Surrey!
Guildford Boats and Farncombe Boats are both offering special discounts during Countryside 2011…what more could tempt you out onto the river to enjoy a slow river cruise?
Find out about Roald Dahl and his stories, and create some cool words!
The award-winning Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is aimed at 6 to 12 year olds and their families, and is situated in the village of Great Missenden where Roald Dahl lived and wrote for 36 years.
Try something new in Berkshire this weekend!
Some great ideas for the weekend – how about a hack through 400 acres of fabulous woodland and grass gallops? Of if you fancy a swim in the open, perhaps you’d like to take part in the Royal Windsor River Swim? For foodies, stock up for the weekend with goodies from the Farmers’ Market in Newbury.
Lots going on in East Sussex this weekend!
Kids of all ages can have lots of outdoor fun this weekend. Younger children will love to meet all the friendly animals at Middle Farm; slightly older kids could join the Junior Rangers at Wilderness Wood, while big kids (and older!) could opt for serious outdoor experience with a Ray Mears Bushcraft course.
Take a look at what’s going on in Kent this weekend!
Kent, the Garden of England, is has a wonderful array of events during Countryside 2011, perfect for all the family. Check out what medieval happenings are going on at Leeds Castle and The Canterbury Tales
English Wine Week coincides with Countryside 2011
English Wine Week is a celebration of English Wines between 28 May and 5 June; several vineyards are also taking part in Countryside 2011.
Countryside 2011 launches!
Great news! Countryside 2011 is finally upon us and there are almost 900 events on the Event Directory, which will give you plenty of choice when deciding what to do with your family and friends during May half term and the following week.
Countryside 2011 gets great press!
Following the fantastic piece about Countryside 2011 broadcast yesterday on ITV Meridian, today’s Daily Mirror has a feature in its ‘Welcome to the Weekend’ section, and we hope the Sunday Times will run a piece in the Style Section this Sunday. Yesterday, Countryside 2011 organiser Exbury Gardens welcomed HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the steam railway.
Win a Personalised Map and hone your map reading skills!
No home is complete without its very own personalised map, with your address in the very centre of its local environment. Countryside 2011 partner, the Ordnance Survey, has donated a number of these to competition winners, and is running several events during Countryside 2011.
Join in with the Countryside 2011 Competitions!
Countryside 2011’s second competition is coming to an end….the third competition will launch this Friday. Join in for your chance to win some great prizes.
Rural Retreats: Your first port of call to find a place to stay during Countryside 2011
With Countryside 2011 beginning imminently, you’re bound to need somewhere to stay. Rural Retreats features a range of establishments which have created a special discounted offer to link in with the Countryside 2011 fortnight of discovery.
Countryside 2011 begins this Saturday!
With more than 870 events on the Event Directory, now is the time to start planning what new activities you might try over the next two weeks. Check out the fabulous array of events listed on the Directory…
Archery at Bedgebury is back!
Archery adds another string to Bedgebury’s bow as the ever-popular Bedgebury archery sessions are now well underway again and will continue right through the summer until the end of October.
Pebsham Countryside Park Project
The Pebsham Countryside Park Project is an exciting initiative to develop and enhance the green space between Hastings, Bexhill and Crowhurst, an area of approximately 600 hectares (1480 acres) in East Sussex. The intention is to create a sustainable, multi-functional countryside area with space for leisure, relaxation, sport, ecology and education.
National Garden Scheme - Gardens Open for Charity
Every year NGS gardens across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors to more than 3,700 gardens. Many of these can be found throughout the South East, most of which are privately owned and open just a few times each year. Why not visit one that’s close to you?
Carry the forest in your pocket with new ForestXplorer iPhone app!
Forestry Commission England has launched a free iPhone app to find your local woodland, download handy trail maps or learn about trees with an easy to use tree identifier.
Rainbow Ramble at Bocketts Farm
On Sunday 8th May join Rainbow Trust Childrens Charity for a ramble around Norbury Park. Free entry to Bocketts Farm included with every ticket!
Time to get out and about!
As spring blossoms into summer, why not make the most of the long weekends with the National Trust? There’s so much to see and do, including May Day events and endless activities for restless kids, come rain or shine.
Enjoy a great day out this Spring!
Need some inspiration for the kids this Bank Holiday weekend? This spring you can enjoy a full packed programme of activities, baby animals and plenty of play both inside and out, at Bocketts Farm, near Leatherhead in Surrey.
Activities galore at Bedgebury this Bank Holiday
If you’re after a wide range of outdoor activities to take part in this Bank Holiday weekend, Bedgebury Pinetum is a perfect place to cycle, walk, swing from trees or ride a horse, all available within easy reach of Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.
Sixth Annual Kent County Fair at The Hop Farm
The Hop Farm have released details of their exciting plans for the sixth annual Kent County Fair, which will be held within their 500 acre site during the Bank Holiday weekend 30 April to 2 May 2011.
Explore Kent Guided Walks
Kent has a wealth of walks throughout the county, for all ages and abilities. Explore Kent tells you all….
Great Gardens of Sussex
A great value passport to Great Gardens of Sussex has been launched: visit three of the gardens and enjoy the fourth free of charge!
Looking for places to go with your dog?
Looking for activities and places to visit with your canine best friend? Countryside 2011’s event directory is packed with events that you and your dog can enjoy together. Many are free, and there are also special deals and discounts on days out across the South East.
Pelican Racing - TrySail
Get a taste of sailing this Easter with a Pelican Racing TrySail.
Six of the best: cool ideas for summer on the River Thames
The River Thames is a wonderful source of pleasure and entertainment for holidays and days out. Here are six ideas of where to start.
Step Out and Explore
Join guided walks or step out in your own time on National Trails and other well-marked scenic routes.
Discover more of the great outdoors on National Trails, long distance routes which take in some of the finest landscapes in England and Wales.
Get Close to Nature
Observe and enjoy birds, beasts, bugs and flowers with your local wildlife experts.
Join the Fun at Visitor Attractions
Family activities, special events, shows and exhibitions mean that even the most familiar favourites have something you won’t want to miss.
Enjoy Outdoor Sports and Hobbies
Gliding, clay pigeon shooting, mountain boarding, watersports, family activity days, tree climbing, Nordic walking and more.
Get on Your Bike!
Throughout South East England, there are plenty of friendly groups who welcome beginners, more experienced riders, families – in fact anyone who enjoys a bit of exercise on two wheels.
Discover your River Thames
With special offers on boat trips, boat hire, riverside attractions, hotels and restaurants, a children’s Passport to Fun and a Grand Draw worth over £1,000.
More Things to Do in the Woods!
Our COUNTRYSIDE 2011 Event Directory features all sorts of wonderful woodland activities and events. Here are more bright ideas for making the most of your time in the woods.
Picnic Afloat on the River Thames
Boating and summer picnics go hand in hand. Here’s how to put the two together for a stylish interlude on the broad and beautiful River Thames.
A Wednesday to Remember in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds
Many of the websites listed on our Link In to the Countryside page enable you to create your own itinerary for country visiting. Several sites also offer some really tempting ready-made options. Here’s a nice one from the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.
Kent Country Tours at the Touch of a Button
If you want to get straight to the heart of Kent’s finest countryside, simply follow one of the county’s four Country Tour motoring routes.
Midsomer Murders Visitors’ Trail
DCI John Barnaby brings new blood to ITV’s crime classic when filming starts on the 14th series of Midsomer Murders in late July. Dip into Buckinghamshire’s Midsomer Murders Trail to track down some of those idyllic country locations, familiar to viewers in over 180 countries.
Take Your Horse on Holiday
South East England has mile upon mile of accessible rides, on routes delving deep into peaceful countryside. Here’s a route to the B&Bs where horse and rider will feel at home.
Free Sites Unlocked
English Heritage has come up with a modern way of providing information about free historic sites that are free to the public.
Head for the Heights of the Surrey Hills
Leith Hill Tower, on the crest of the North Downs, is the highest point in the South East of England. An amazing 13 counties are visible on a clear day. These Surrey summits are simply breathtaking.
A new meaning to working out
Research shows that this outdoor activity boosts energy, builds confidence, relieves stress and leaves you feeling fitter. It sets you a goal – and it’s free.
latest from blog
15 Jul 2011
Mondraker comes to Bedgebury
Quench Cycles has joined forces with distributor Silverfish to sell Mondraker bikes through its Forestry Commission outlets at Bedgebury and Alice Holt. There will be a Demo Day on 23 and 24 July! Read more
Missing all those outdoor activities offered for Countryside2011? Get out and about with National Bike Week @TGBBikeWeek http://bit.ly/Hb38D
Congratulations to all the winners of the fab prizes offered by Countryside 2011 http://bit.ly/ltlSB4
We’d love to hear what you thought of the events or activities you took part in. Please complete our online survey http://ow.ly/5gjs9
Water-ski, Wakebaord or Jet Ski at the South East’s Premier Watersports Venue. http://bit.ly/kOqJfG
See the red squirrels in the walk-through enclosure at the British Wildlife Centre! Visit http://bit.ly/k2thrJ
