Day Out At Fountains Abbey. (National Trust)

We joined the National Trust when Coben was born as we thought it would be a good investment and would enable us to visit places that aren’t too far away and when time is short, and have facilities such as cafes and toilets on hand, the things that make life with a baby that bit easier. As well as free entry into NT estates and properties it also allows free parking in NT car parks which we knew would come in handy for us too.

So far we haven’t regretted buying the pass although we feel we didn’t get enough use out of it enough last year so we may try to use it more this year and visit other places we have not been to before.

Another great thing about the national trust is that the play areas all seem to be great wooden natural large playgrounds which is great for Coben especially now he’s running and climbing everywhere, he will only enjoy them more and more as he gets older.

We received a free family pass when we renewed our annual tickets this year, so this was an opportunity not to waste and organised a day trip to Fountains Abbey with our friends also joined by some other friends who are already members. It was to be relaxed day just meandering around the grounds and catching up which is just what it was.

There was a frost that morning which with the winter sun coming out made some lovely pictures of the Abbey as we were walking down from the car park. We continued down to the water gardens casually walking and chatting and admiring the beautiful landscape gardens.

There are many options of walks here you can choose, we stuck to the main path down to the bottom,  where upon reaching the cafe we took a right turn which leads you over a boardwalk across the lakes.

You can exit the official grounds here and explore Studley Royal which has many paths and scenic landscapes to admire but as it was getting close to dinner time we stayed inside the grounds.

Once we crossed the boardwalk we followed the path until coming across a path on our left heading up into the woods. The kids love this part, as you climb the hill and go round the bend a dark tunnel comes into view, enter if you dare but watch your heads!

Once we escaped the tunnel we took on the views from the summer house then continued through the woods and exited back onto the main paths, with views of the Abbey deserving a picture.

We set of to the Abbey to find a spot for our picnic. We set up on some of the old ruins feeling the winter sun trying to warm us up. Sandwiches and hot chocolates finished we then continued on up towards the playground.

We spent a good hour here for the kids to work off more energy and explore the equipment while the adults nattered before we said our goodbyes and parted ways until the next adventure.

If you fancy visiting Fountains Abbey we do recommend it for a day out, although it is pricey which is why for us it was worth joining for the year this way it proves much more cost effective. Vist the National Trust website for more information.