National Trust’s Cadbury Eggsplorers Easter Egg Hunt.

For us Easter is not only a time when the Easter bunny visits with a few yummy chocolate egg treats, but also a time when we relish the beauty of the great outdoors on fun family adventures. We love nothing more than having adventures in the great outdoors, exploring the wonder of nature on lovely – hopefully sunny - countryside walks.

This Easter the National Trust are giving families the opportunity to combine a love of chocolate egg treats that have become famously connected to Easter with a love of getting outdoors and having fun families adventures thanks to their annual Cadbury Eggsplorers Easter Egg Trails.

Win 2 x family pass to a National Trust Wales Property.

We are huge fans of the National Trust’s 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ campaign which aims to promote outdoor play and a natural childhood.  As I champion a natural childhood and playing in the great outdoors I look forward to seeing Bug complete the 50 Things adventures over the years. 

Bug recently completed his first 50 Things challenge, #23 Visit a Farm from the Ranger Adventures when we visited the National Trust property Llanerchaeron.  Even though Bug has not completed anymore 50 Things adventures yet we have recently enjoyed visiting other National Trust properties; Dinefwr Park and Castle (our 50 Things plans went astray at this gorgeous property thanks to a temper tantrum and a grumpy Bug) and Bug loved conquering Cilgerran Castle. 

During our little adventures to a few National Trust properties I have acquired a love and appreciation for National Trust and their properties, admiring the wonderful restoration work they do and appreciating the fact that they are preserving properties and history.  I look forward to visiting National Trust properties with Bug over the years and seeing him complete 50 Things challenges in the beautiful surroundings; I especially hope to visit Dinefwr Park and Castle as it has lots of beautiful grounds that we did not get to explore thanks to Bug’s temper tantrum and it is a great spot for lots of 50 Things adventures.

Conquering Cilgerran Castle.

Last week Bug and I headed out for the day for a little adventure.  Whilst in the area I decided to pop in to see a National Trust property, Cilgerran Castle which is in the guardianship of Cadw (Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service). 

Having not been to Cilgerran Castle for many years since I was a child our little trip there was an adventure for both Bug and I.   After realising the castle has no parking we parked up on a side street and walked to the castle.

Once we were at the castle grounds I was immediately in awe of the striking 13 th century castle.

#23 Visit a Farm. Ranger adventure - 50 Things To Do Before You're 11 ¾

After exploring the 18 th century house, walled gardens, grounds and lake atLlanerchaeron we visited the home farm there for Bug to complete his first 50Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ adventure; #23 Visit a farm from the Ranger category of adventures.

The home farm at Llanerchaeron has been resorted to its former glory with its impressive range of traditional, atmospheric outbuildings now being used as a working organic farm with Welsh Black cattle, Llanwenog sheep and rare Welsh pigs.

Bug was super excited when he realised we were headed to see some animals as he loves animals.

In the stone cobbled farm courtyard we explored the stone outbuildings in the hope of seeing some animals. 

A day out at Llanerchaeron.

As I am hoping to encourage a natural childhood of playing in the great outdoors for Bug and keen to record his 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ accomplishments when we recently had the car on a lovely sunny day I thought it was the perfect time to get out for a day out, play outdoors and attempt a #50 Things task.

With the National Trust Wales promoting the 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ campaign I thought it would be great to go to a National Trust Property so Bug and I headed to Llanerchaeron in Ciliau Aeron, near Aberaeron.  As my mum has wanted to go to Llanerchaeron for a walk around the house for ages I thought it would be the perfect chance for Bug and I to spend some quality time with her on a family day out.  I also hoped that it would be the perfect day and place for Bug to complete 1 of the 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ adventures.

Bug was super excited about his day out with his Mamgu and raced off to explore the 18 th century Welsh gentry estate.

First we decided to have a look in the house which was designed in the 1790’s.  The Llanerchaeron villa is according to the National Trust website is the most complete example of the early work of John Nash. 

A day out at Dinefwr Park and Castle.

As I believe in a natural childhood with playing in the great outdoors being an integral part of growing up I was keen to keep having outdoors with Bug and encourage him to complete tasks from the 50 Things list.  With an action plan arranged to get Bug started on his #50 things adventure, Bug and I recently headed to a National Trust property to set about get at least 1 thing ticked off of his 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ list of challenges. 

After browsing the National Trust Wales website for the perfect property to get Bug started on his #50 things adventure I thought I had found the perfect place that would allow us the chance to at least complete 1 of the tasks.

With a number of spare hours and the car at our disposal Bug and I headed to Dinefwr Park and Castle in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.  

As we headed off from home the sun was shining beautifully in the blue sky and I had high hopes of a relaxing, fun filled day in the sunshine, exploring the 12-century Welsh castle, historic house and 18th century landscape park that encloses a medieval deer park.

Recording 50 Things To Do Before You're 11 ¾ adventures.

As I mentioned in my post Natural Childhood – playing in the great outdoors, I am excited about recording Bug’s accomplishments off the challenges from the 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾ list. 

I will be recording and capturing his achievements with photographs and video as well as writing about them on here, sharing some of my favourite photographs of his accomplishments.

As well as recording his adventures on here and with photographs we are also using the brilliant, colourful 50 Things website to record his achievements.  You can create an account for your child/children on the website where they can keep a virtual record of their accomplishments, with challenges that completed being ticked off from the list.  On the website children have their own little Outdoors Explorer to help them complete the challenges with rewards available to personalise their Outdoors Explorer for completing each of the 50 adventures.  There are also hidden secret challenges for children to find on the website.