Deer park rides and a free weekend

This weekend we have been running deer park rides, taking members of the public to parts of the deer park that they never usually have access to and getting close to the deer. On each ride we have experienced staff or volunteers to talk to people about the deer herd and the life cycle of fallows, how we manage them, and other wildlife in the Park; there is usually time for a bit of history too. The weather has been a bit unpredictable of late but the rides have still been popular. The bucks are casting their antlers at the moment so some of them are looking a bit bare-headed and some have only one antler, so its an interesting time of year to see them. The antlers will start to grow back almost immediately and by the end of summer they will have a full set again. Sometimes we come across the antlers in the park - some are collected and given to local schools or used as props on our tours while others are left - the antlers are bone, and therefore a good source of calcium and other minerals. Various small mammals will gnaw at them, and even the deer themselves will try.

One antler cast, one to go!

Next weekend, the Trust is offering free access to some of its properties, including Attingham. To take part you will need a voucher - you can download one by following the links on http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ or cut one out of the following newspapers, which will be printing them during the week commencing 16th April - the Daily Mail, Guardian, Sun, Metro, Times and Telegraph. The offer is for a group of up to four people (maximum two adults) per voucher, visiting on either the 21st or 22nd April (some properties are only open on one of the days so check before you go - Attingham is open all weekend!). A good chance to explore somewhere new or introduce some family or friends to a day out at a Trust property?

Finally, did you know that Attingham has its own weather station? It is currently out of the public areas but there are plans to move it into the new play area later in the year. You can check out the latest readings by clicking this link: Attingham weather station

It may be raining, but how can you not love jumping in a heart-shaped puddle?!