The Botanic Gardens at Samares Manor, Jersey

 

The weather still doesn’t know what it is doing at the moment. I have been longing for April as I believed that this month would bring the slightly warmer weather. Some days there really has been a touch of Spring in the air but other days it has still been decidedly chilly. Last Tuesday we were craving somewhere different to the beach and so we decided to head to the Botanic Gardens at Samares Manor.

 

 

The Botanic Gardens

 

• Open from 26th March to October 16th 2016

 

• We pay £17 per annum for all of us. A complete bargain if you ask me. Otherwise it is £8.95 per adult (per visit) and children are free.

 

• There are guided tours of the manor (additional charge) and tours of the rural life and carriage museum. There are also daily talks on the herbs in the gardens.

 

• There is a lovely cafe using produce from the gardens

 

• Toilets

 

• Play area

 

• Free parking

 

• Gardens

 

• Gift shop

 

We love exploring the gardens and seeing how they change with the seasons. We had a packed a little bag with bread ready to feed the ducks. However, on arrival we were disappointed to find that there were no ducks in the pond. Where had they gone? We decided that they were probably hiding from the seagulls that were lurking on the edge of the pond.

 

 

As you can see from the above photo the gardens were quite busy, well by Jersey standards they were busy. It must have been because everybody was so excited to see the sun again. However, as we headed deeper into the gardens they became quieter.

 

 

We headed towards the Japanese gardens. Youngest and Oldest have really been enjoying each other’s company this holiday and it has been lovely to watch their close bond. Don’t get me wrong they can fight like cat and dog but they are also fiercely protective of each other. Oldest has a real caring side and can be quite motherly to Youngest which can annoy Youngest at times!

 

 

The gardens are great as there are so many areas of interest to explore and peek into. Oldest loves the above house and came up with a story about who would live in the house.

 

 

We then went exploring the willow labyrinth. I had been very sensible and had ensured the girls were wearing their welly boots. However, I had forgotten about my own footwear and as a result my trainers soon become covered in mud. At one point I was almost sinking which the girls found hysterical.

 

 

The girls had such a lovely time holding hands and singing songs from Frozen as they explored the gardens. Frozen seems to be having a bit of a resurgence in our house at the moment. I can’t say that I am thrilled.

 

 

 

We then decided that our weary legs deserved a rest. We found this bench carved out of an old tree trunk. Isn’t it lovely. Youngest thought it was the bees knees! See what I have done there? Oldest was quite intent on teaching (or should that be lecturing) Youngest on why there were numbers carved in the seat.

 

 

After little legs had recovered enough we carried on exploring. The girls were fascinated by all of the different trees. They were soon collecting twigs and pine cones and adding them to their little bag. My two always seem intent on bringing the outdoors back indoors! They then found some rather lovely branches which apparently made good tickling sticks. I can assure you that they didn’t . I should know as they chased me round the garden with them!

 

 

On our travels we emerged from a wooded path to find the above view of this house. Isn’t it just beautiful. Oh how I would love to live in a house like this.

 

 

The girls were now very keen that we should head to the playground. The sun had now come out and the clouds had cleared. It had turned into a stunning day. Whilst they had fun on the slides I enjoyed the blue sky and soaked up the rays.

 

 

By now coats had been discarded as it was just too hot! Whilst Youngest was on the swing she spotted that the ducks had returned. We quickly hurried down to the pond and shared our bread with them. Youngest informed me that they were very happy to see us as they had been very hungry! When I caught Youngest nibbling the stale bread I realised that it might be time to visit the cafe. We left the ducks and their babies and headed to the herb gardens to find the cafe.

 

 

How blue is that sky! Oldest had darted away to find a hiding spot from which she could leap out on us from. After she had scared us both we found the cafe and had ice-creams. Well it is the law when the sun is shining.

 

 

The girls then insisted that we climbed up to the viewing platform so we could admire the view of the herb gardens. It is quite a stunning view. There was just enough time to dash back to the slides which we now had all to ourselves.

 

 

I then realised that the gardens were closing and we frantically gathered our belongings and dashed towards the gates. I had two very tired but happy girls.

 

If you are ever in Jersey and fancy the botanic gardens then you can find more information about visiting times here

 

Do you have any nice gardens that you like to visit?