FAMILY FUN AT QUEENSWOOD THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS
Forget heading for the beach or lounging around a pool – where better to enjoy the summer holidays and get a breath of fresh air than Queenswood Country Park?
You can enjoy Queenswood whether rain or shine and this summer lots of events have been planned to keep you busy!
Queenswood’s feathered friend - Bertie Buzzard - will be back again with a summer trail for you to follow around the woodland throughout the school holidays – entry forms cost 50p and are available from the Tourist Information Centre.
The Herefordshire Nature Trust WildPlay project will be in the Autumn Garden between 1pm and 4pm on Tuesday 20th July to write ‘Poems on Pebbles’. Let your senses run away with you and get some inspiration from nature as you play with words in the wood and create some amazing poetry at this free ‘drop-in’ event. (All children must be accompanied by an adult).
If you go down to the woods on Wednesday 21st July between 11am -12.30pm you will be in for a big surprise as Hereford Leisure Centre’s Gymtots will be back at Queenswood for a Teddy bear’s picnic. Bring your favourite teddy along to enjoy fun and games in the woods followed by a very ‘yummy’ picnic!
Instructed by Jane Cox, a qualified preschool gymnast coach, this event will offer an excellent early introduction to enjoyable exercise for children aged 18 months to six years. All children must be accompanied by a parent/carer who is responsible for their safety at all times.
The cost for this event is £5.50 (includes picnic and a small donation to the Queenswood Coronation Fund) and you must book your child’s place in advance. For further details or to book please call: 01432 278178 now or visit Hereford Leisure centre, Holmer Road, Hereford HR4 9UD
On Sunday 25th July 8am – 10am join Hilary Smith of Herefordshire Action for Mammals for a special HAM Dormouse Event. Hilary will take you on a gentle stroll around the woodlands at Queenswood looking at habitat and management of the site for Dormice.
You will hopefully see some small mammals (from live traps) and learn how to look for signs of animals. This event is free, but booking is essential as places are limited, please contact the Queenswood reception Tel: 01568 798320 or email: queenswood@herefordshire.gov.uk
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust Rock & Fossil Roadshow is back by popular demand on Wednesday 28th July between 10.30am – 3.30pm for lots of fun and activities - make your own fossil, identify rocks and minerals and many more activities to enjoy. Look out for the activities taking place behind the Tourist Information Centre.
Finally this month the RSPB will be at Queenswood on Saturday 31st July for a family fun day at Queenswood between 11am and 4pm. Come along and take part in a woodland walk, discover a woodland trail, play games and make your own face-mask!
Discover how to make your garden a haven for birds and wildlife at this bumper family day organised by the RSPB. Find out about becoming an RSPB member, or for the kids - a Wildlife Explorer!
Details of all the events taking place between the end of July and October are available in a new leaflet available now from Tourist Information Centres, libraries and Info in Herefordshire. Alternatively get up to date information by checking out the ‘Queenswood’ pages on Herefordshire Council’s website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk
Queenswood is Herefordshire’s only country park and has free car parking, toilets and baby changing facilities and a licensed café (opening hours vary please call 01568 797880 to confirm it will be open when you visit.) Following improvements undertaken last year there is also a new adventure play area and a free ‘seaside style’ telescope at the view-point to help see more of the view.
There are three way-marked trails and easy access paths so that everyone can enjoy the park and an electric mobility vehicle is available to hire from the Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01568 797842.
Queenswood Country Park is on the A49 between Hereford and Leominster – follow the brown signs at the top of Dinmore Hill. Alternatively the 492 bus service departs Hereford and Leominster at regular intervals throughout the day.