A frosty walk at Titchfield Abbey

Brr, it is getting cold out now isn’t it? The in-laws have been staying with us this week and on Wednesday morning I decided we should all go out for a nice walk and enjoy the crisp fresh air. It was really frigging cold out but there was white frost coating the grass and it looked so pretty outside, it would have been a shame to stay in. I decided to take them to see Titchfield Abbey, it is not too far away, it is free and the Abbey was bound to look impressive surrounded by a gloriously blue sky, with a sprinkle of white over the ground.

We all got seriously wrapped up (I think Leo had about 5 layers on!), I scraped the ice off the car and we headed off down the M27 to check out Titchfield Abbey – or the Thomas Castle, as Leo insisted it was called.

What is behind the massive door?
Finally starting to look like winter.
When we arrived at Titchfield Abbey, Leo was very excited. He immediately declared he was going to go and hide in the castle and that is exactly what he did. There is a small car park on the abbey grounds and, even from the car, the view was spectacular. Although they are extremely old, the ruins are still amazing to look at and the walls are so tall. Leo looked smaller than ever stood up against the massive entrance door.

So high!
I want to live in a castle…
Blue sky.
Titchfield Abbey is a ruin so there is not that much to see but there are little plaques dotted about with information and facts about the buildings history. The Abbey was built in the 1200’s and was home to several canons. It has switched hands a lot over the years and was suppressed during the reign of Henry VIII. There are original tiles preserved and roped off outside, they were not protected enough for Leo, who attempted to stomp all over them. That boy clearly has no respect for historical artefacts.

Facts about the tiles.
Castle selfie.

Leo loved running around the Abbey grounds, hiding in the ancient chimney flues and opening and closing the massive door. We lost sight of him at one point, we ran around in a frenzy shouting his name only to find he had managed to get down the extremely warn away staircase all by himself. He was really pleased with himself but I was so mad at myself for loosing sight of him as he could have so easily fallen.

Exploring.
Going down stairs with a worried looking Nanny.

In the grounds surrounding the Titchfield Abbey there is a funny looking path. My mother-in-law and I decided it must have been a maze once upon a time, there was no other explanation for the way it was set out. Leo enjoyed running around the ‘track’, crunching the frosty grass as he went. We  found a small icy puddle and Leo was quite confused when no splashing occurred when he jumped up and down.

Ice puddle.
Walking around ‘the maze’.

We were wandering around Titchfield Abbey for about 45 minutes but we were all starting to get really cold, I definitely could have done with some gloves and an extra pair of socks. We said goodbye to the Thomas Castle and popped in to the garden centre next door for a nice hot coffee and Leo got to feed the fish.

Feeding the fish.

Titchfield Abbey is a lovely place to visit if you are looking for something free and fun to do in Hampshire. It is open 10am-4pm from October to March and then from April to September it is open 10am-5pm. Leo really enjoyed exploring the Abbey, I think he would have stayed there for hours if we hadn’t have bribed  him away with milk and biscuits!

Have you visited Titchfield Abbey before? Does your little one like castles? I can’t wait to take Leo to a proper castle, one where you can climb up twisty staircases and have lots of rooms to explore.

A Cornish Mum
Life Unexpected
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21 Comments

  1. January 24, 2016 / 12:54 pm

    Looks like you had a lovely time! I love abbeys and castles! #KCACOLS

  2. Dot Makes 4
    January 24, 2016 / 1:00 pm

    It looks amazing! My son loves castles, so we might have to check it out!
    Laura xx
    #KCACOLS

  3. Lucy O
    January 24, 2016 / 8:22 pm

    Ooo this is really close to me and I've been trying to think of something to do this week with my parents visiting. This is it! Thank you! And I like that there's a garden centre next door…is it really close, will I be able to find the garden centre easily? Tea/hot chocolate a must on post castle warm ups. #KCACOLS

  4. Someone's Mum
    January 25, 2016 / 8:41 am

    Oh this definitely looks like a lovely winter walk if you wrap up warm. So great that it is free! #KCACOLS

  5. January 25, 2016 / 10:27 am

    Oh yes, take them here, it is lovely. The garden centre is right next door, on the same side of the road, you can't miss it. Yes, a hot drink is a must after being out in the cold, they do nice looking cakes too 🙂 xx

  6. January 25, 2016 / 2:44 pm

    We had a great time. I love them too, can't wait to visit soon more soon, maybe when it warms up a bit!xx

  7. January 25, 2016 / 2:45 pm

    Yes you should go, especially if you have a castle lover in the family xx

  8. January 25, 2016 / 2:47 pm

    We definitely needed to wrap up warm. Haha, days out are always better when they are free 🙂 xx

  9. Sarah CraftInvaders
    January 27, 2016 / 1:04 pm

    What fab ruins – looks a perfect place for an explore. We have never been, but would love to visit 🙂

  10. January 27, 2016 / 3:09 pm

    This looks gorgeous, and what fantastic blue skies. I can imagine it was freezing! My daughter loves castles, and we're not too far from Hampshire so I shall have to put this one on my list. #whatevertheweather

  11. A Cornish Mum Blog
    January 27, 2016 / 4:21 pm

    This looks like fun, I love looking around old buildings especially castles! Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix
    Stevie x

  12. Suburban Mum
    January 29, 2016 / 10:58 pm

    Looks like you've had great fun exploring the castle and ruins. We love going to places like this as my boys love running around and we get to learn a little bit of history too!

    Thank you for linking up to #KCACOLS and I hope to see you back again on Sunday xx

  13. Chloe Ciliberto
    January 30, 2016 / 3:19 pm

    What a stunning place, I bet in it's day it was so beautiful. It's so good that it's free!! There is nothing like a bit of fresh air to wake you up and put you in a good mood is there. It does look like that pathway used to be a maze. What a shame it's not anymore! You've captured some beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing your adventure with #whatevertheweather xx

  14. February 1, 2016 / 9:13 am

    How lovely! I've also took my kids to a ruins near by too. Isn't it the best place for Hide & Seek! Interesting facts about Titchfield Abbey. Thanks for sharing. x #whatevertheweather

  15. February 2, 2016 / 9:44 pm

    You should go if you are ever in the area. It is a very pretty place.xx

  16. February 2, 2016 / 9:45 pm

    It was soooo cold! Oh yes definitely, if you are not far away it is worth a visit xx

  17. February 2, 2016 / 9:45 pm

    I love it too. I like imagine it would have been like in the days before it was a ruin. I always fancied living in a castle..Thanks for hosting xx

  18. February 2, 2016 / 9:48 pm

    I think there is something so magical about castles that kids and adults can't help but love them.xx

  19. February 2, 2016 / 9:49 pm

    Yes, so good that it is a free day out. Totally agree, you can't go wrong with a bit of fresh air. I know, it would have been amazing if there had been a maze there too. Thanks for hosting xx

  20. February 2, 2016 / 9:50 pm

    Yes, castles are the ultimate place to play hide and seek. Leo kept hiding in the same place though so we didn't play for long, haha. A trip to an old castle ruin always makes for a fun day out, doesn't it? xx

  21. Jenny Eaves
    February 3, 2016 / 2:16 pm

    It looks like a wonderful place to explore! The chimney flies are always where you find the small children, either that or at the stairs! I've had the same worries about where Mr A had disappeared to in a castle before now. Amazing that it's free to visit as well, a fantastic day out in any weather, probably a great place for a picnic in the sun one day too?
    Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x