Tumblestone Hollow now open for Easter Trail bookings www.stonor.com/tumblestone-hollow

Welcome to the mysterious world of Tumblestone Hollow. It’s been hiding in plain sight, right under our noses for many millennia. Throughout this time, the people who live there have been quietly going about their business, keeping the standing stones safe, that surround their magical home.

Inspired by an ancient stone circle in the grounds, Stonor Park, home to the Stonor family for 850 years, has revealed it’s new adventure playground, Tumblestone Hollow. The space is designed for four to twelve-year-olds, alongside their families and was part-funded by the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. It will be ready to open on Easter weekend this year, with the hope that the lockdown will have been lifted and families can get out and spend some quality time together.

“The planning of Tumblestone Hollow has been nearly eighteen months in the making,” says William Stonor. “However, with the onset of coronavirus, lockdowns, and the effect this has had on children, it became evident to us that outdoor spaces like this are needed more than ever. 

“We decided to focus on providing families and children with something truly magical and exceptional, somewhere they would feel free to explore, discover nature and enjoy safe, outdoor play.”

Large boulders within the playground recreate Stonor’s original ancient stone circle, from which the house takes its name, giving the sense that the play area has always nestled in the woods.

Within the gnarled tower, spiral steps lead to a high lookout deck with views across the whole playground and access to connecting bridges and towers. While kids explore, parents and grandparents can relax on surrounding giant wooden benches with a coffee, wood-fired pizza or other treats from the new Shepherd’s hut, The Hollow Hut.

Visitors can continue to enjoy the story at home too, with the stories from the book, The Legend of Tumblestone Hollow, written by well-known children’s author Amy Sparkes, which fills in more details about the magical creatures who call Tumblestone Hollow home that live in and around the playground.

“The playground brings the mysticism of Stonor to life and provides inspiration for children to create their own games and stories around our five special characters Pebble, Grit, Obsidian, Jem and Flint, who live at Tumblestone Hollow. We really hope it will spark children’s imaginations, with characters that will stay with them as they grow up,” says Lady Ailsa Stonor.

For more information visit www.stonor.com/tumblestone-hollow/