NAMASTE, AND WELCOME TO
Playing In Nature
Foster a Love for Nature & Travel Blog
Playing In Nature is a passion project blog of mine. That is focused on inspiring other families to disconnect from their daily lives and foster a love for nature. My blog shares a variety of blog posts and guides to help your family get outdoors and plan your trips safely as well as some travel destinations in and around the UK.
I hope that through my tips and resources we all can inspire other families to foster a love for nature in themselves and their children too. Let’s start a generation trend of loving, caring for and respecting Mother Nature.
Where would you like to go?
Namaste, I'm Charmaine Howard
I'm the storyteller behind Playing In Nature. I am a wife, business owner, fur baby mother and an absolute fanatic about Nature and treating her respectfully. Through my blog, I hope to help families of all ages foster a deep love and respect for Mother Nature, and inspire families to spend more time outdoors or just connect to it as best as they can.
I absolutely love permaculture and holistic land management and what they stand for and do when implemented correctly and fully. My goal is to share my love of nature with you, give you tips, and guides and increase your nature knowledge.
I am currently based in the UK, living in a caravan with my husband and fur baby. We are traversing the whole of the UK, with Scotland, Ireland and hopefully the Isle of man as well. Such Fun!
Dunsland: A Tranquil Tapestry of Ruins and Nature's Resilience
✅ Car Park ✅ Outhouse Toilet ✅ Dog Friendly 🟥///shuffles.noted.impeached
Nestled within the embrace of ancient parkland, Dunsland whispers tales of a grandeur long past. A haven for nature enthusiasts and history aficionados alike, this expanse of tranquillity once cradled the Tudor magnificence of Dunsland House.
Embark on a leisurely stroll or lay out a picnic amidst the timeless beauty of Dunsland Park. Stand in awe of 700-year-old Sweet Chestnuts and the proud lineage of old fruit trees, guardians of a bygone era.
Wander the grounds and trace the silhouette of Tudor Dunsland House's remnants. A poignant reminder that, except for the resilient stable and coach house, all succumbed to the fiery embrace of the 1960s.
Dunsland's arboreal sentinels harbour not only the wisdom of the ages but also a haven for rare lichens and vibrant wildlife. In the embrace of spring, witness the carpet of Blue Bells and Primroses, and listen to the rustle of Door mice and Roe Deer. Keep an attentive ear for the playful Dippers and the regal Sparrow Hawks soaring above.
Dunsland's arboreal sentinels harbour not only the wisdom of the ages but also a haven for rare lichens and vibrant wildlife. In the embrace of spring, witness the carpet of Blue Bells and Primroses, and listen to the rustle of Doormice and Roe Deer. Keep an attentive ear for the playful Dippers and the regal Sparrow Hawks soaring above.
The estate's chronicle unveils a narrative woven into the Domesday Book's ancient pages (1086). Once standing shoulder to shoulder with Arlington Court and Saltram, the Tudor manor of Dunsland boasted grandeur befitting its historic roots.
The National Trust, custodian of heritage, acquired Dunsland in 1954. Years of meticulous restoration returned the estate to its former glory, hosting vibrant community events and music recitals. However, fate had other plans. A fateful night in November 1967 saw the grandeur consumed by an unforgiving fire. The remnants, deemed too costly to revive, were reluctantly razed.
Today, Dunsland stands as a testament to nature's resilience and the interplay of history and serenity. Amidst the hidden nooks, discover decorative building stones, a steadfast coach house, and echoes of fishponds. Secret gardens and ancient parkland beckon, now a peaceful sanctuary for rare plants and wildlife.
Ancient oaks and chestnuts stand sentinel, a solemn ode to the grandeur that once graced this sacred ground. Woodland reclaims the cultivated soil, and the Holsworthy Beekeeping Society tends to their apiary, adding a sweet note to Dunsland's evolving symphony.
As you wander this living tapestry of ruins and resilience, may Dunsland whisper stories of an ageless past and the vibrant life that thrives in the cradle of time.
Footpath map of Dunsland
Upclose image of footpaths
Dunsland Park, Brandis Corner, Holemoor, Nr Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7YE
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/dunsland
Link to the website I use for public footpaths - Public Footpath
Google Maps location - RPFX+WR Holsworthy
What3Words - ///shuffles.noted.impeached
I hope you found this blog insightful. If you have a specific question; ask away in the comments section.
(Note: This review is based on our personal experience and observations during our visit. Individual experiences may vary.)
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY PODCAST
Chats with Charmaine
This podcast is a way for me to express myself, as my husband will tell you, I have many thoughts, ideas and I suppose beliefs about how life could be better for us all, now and in the long run. How we as a species need to become more conscious so that all life on Earth can live in harmony, supporting and nourishing each other in turn.
I am open to podcast, topics of discussion and thoughts or questions that have been hounding you.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY CHANNEL
Playing In Nature
This channel is a way for me to visually express myself, as my husband will tell you, I have many thoughts, ideas and I suppose beliefs about how life could be better for us all, now and in the long run. How we as a species need to become more conscious so that all life on Earth can live in harmony, supporting and nourishing each other in turn.
I am open to video ideas, topics of discussion and thoughts or questions that have been hounding you.
If you’re like us, there’s a yearning inside of you to connect with nature. You’re tired of life in the hamster wheel and you want to reclaim a little freedom.
To explore either by yourself or with the whole family. No matter where or how far away from home you may go; it does not matter.
Opening your heart up to nature is all that matter