I was very hungry when we arrived at Croft Castle, so had a delicious lunch consisting of pea soup and chunky chips sat in the sunshine outside the tearoom.

With tummy full it was time to explore.

The castle is a manor house which was built in the 18th Century. We didn’t go inside as time was limited and the humans wanted to walk around the gardens.

I did have a sit on this strange stone creature that resides by the entrance door of the castle.

I climbed up onto the wall to look at the view, though the humans were concerned that the wind might blow me over and they would have to help me back somehow!

The plants in the walled garden were growing very well.

I was quite surprised to find lots of grapevines.

This little flower will be a bunch of grapes in a few months time….

The grapes are made into wine. Unfortunately there weren’t any samples available to taste.

Several of the trees in the walled garden had huge bunches of mistletoe growing on them. It was quite low down so I had a good look at it.

This pot was empty, I couldn’t resist climbing in for a photo!

I looked for newts in the pond but they must have been hiding under the lilies.

Wild flowers are left to grow in some areas of the garden. I am very fond of poppies.

I tried my paw at playing quoits. I think for a small Bear I am rather good at it.

I didn’t manage to hit the shuttlecock over the badminton net though….

Playing games made me wonder about the children’s play area.

I found a castle that was just the right size for me.

I got a wee bit dizzy on the swinging thing.

Holding on tight was necessary on the seesaw.

Before the long drive home we decided to do one of the many waymarked walks around the estate. At the start of the Fishpool walk I had another swing on the big lump of wood that closes the gate.

It is very restful walking through trees.

In approaching the grotto it started to rain.

A grotto is a good place to shelter. I watched the rain drops falling onto the lake.

There is a gothic pumphouse.

The water wheel didn’t look as though it had turned for a very long time.

At the end of the walk I enjoyed a yummy banana before going back to the car for the journey back to Bristol.

I hope to visit again sometime and go inside the castle.

For more information see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/croft-castle-and-parkland

Horace the Alresford Bear 29/6/23