It occurred to me that I hadn't done a blog post about Stockwood Park. We are lucky enough to live just minutes from it and I know many of you have visited it before but for those that haven't let me tell you a little more.
Stockwood Park is located on the edge of Luton very close to the M1 at Junction 10 and is very well signed. The park itself has an 18 hole golf course with a driving range, an athletics track, a rugby club, acres of land to run around in and the Stockwood Discovery Centre. It also has lots of free car parks so there is always somewhere to park. The Discovery Centre is completely free to enter and has any different areas. As you enter on your left is the Mossman Collection. Mr Mossman was a local man who in his lifetime collected lots of horse drawn carriages and similar items many of which have been used in films ranging from Carry On to Ben Hur. The museum is quite hands on and there is plenty to see. At the end of this area is a temporary exhibition space which changes its displays throughout the year. At the moment it has a modern art exhibition called "Podules", which features sculptures made from recycled materials that are fully immersive. You can climb into them and experience different lights, sounds and smells. Over the summer holidays this will be changing to a Lego exhibition about castles and knights. They had one last year about transport and had a 10 foot long model of Titanic amongst other things so I expect this years will be just as good. Their website has further details of the dates and other important information.. There is a cafe in the centre of the park with indoor and outdoor seating, which is located next to one of the play areas which is designed for younger children with slides, things to climb on etc. This leads you onto a play area for older children with climbing equipment, slides, and things to balance on. There is also a bee gallery in this area with hands on things for children to explore. Leading on from here is a fruit and vegetable garden whose produce is used in the cafe, there is also a fernery in one of the greenhouses along here and a sensory garden. This leads you to the formal gardens which are lovely and to an area called "dig for victory" which has vegtables growing in it and chickens. If you follow this it takes you down to the galleries and a tractor that children can sit on. The galleries have information and displays about the former Stockwood House, local geology including a video about cretacous fossils which they have many of on display, British wildlife, farming equipment, Roman Britain, archaeology and various other things. There is also a Chinese garden and a large outdoor area with stepping stones that you can jump on and run around. |
About Me.I'm Ruth. A mum to two boys and a believer of learning through experiencing. Archives
October 2016
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