Following on from our visits to Cambusnethan Priory and Summerlee Museum through which we explored castles and what life was like in the past, the children wanted to look inside a whole “castle”.  We chose Chatelheraut as it has castle features and the rooms have been restored to give the children an idea of what grand living would be like 200 years ago.  During our visit the children were given a huge variety of learning opportunities.

They explored the map to work out where we were and where the play park would be.  Inside the visitors centre, there are a number of displays which we explored. We looked at the natural aspects within the local area, leaves from the various trees, fish which can be found in the nearby River Avon and the different woodland creatures.  The children were able to explore a badgers sett by crawling through an underground tunnel.  Many were unsure to begin with as they thought the black and white creatures were skunks!  The children were impressed with the outside of the lodge, the huge hill at the front and that they could see very far in the distance.

Inside the lodge, the children loved hearing their voices echo in the grand rooms but got a little dizzy going up the windy staircase and walking on the sloped floors.  We discovered that we could see the ornate ceilings and walls much better, as well as not feeling so dizzy, if we lay down on the floor.  The locked doors and doors without handles made them wonder what could be within the secret rooms!  The children thoroughly enjoyed running around the huge sloping grassy areas, freezing when the odd car came along the nearby road.  At the play park, the children showed a great awareness of safety in their movements and some great climbing skills.

Where will our next adventures take us?