Raising a Wildling

When I was pregnant, I was determined that when baby arrived we would get out on adventures, however small to ensure we were getting our daily fix of nature.

Fast forward a year and we have been on some amazing adventures with Flo, but the ones that mean the most, are the small adventures. Having a baby really encourages you to slow down and notice small things you perhaps normally wouldn’t. You start to see nature through their eyes and its amazing.

I have found myself with a new found appreciation for my local area and our local walks, they have been the perfect remedy after a sleepless night, when Flo is being grumpy or I just need to clear my head. I feel a new connection to the natural world around me and I love sharing that with my daughter.

I’ve shared some of my favourite small adventures below, they may seem ‘normal’ or ‘boring’ but trust me, it’s not the case.

Canal Walks- we live around the corner from the canal and it is here we have seen some fantastic wildlife, including resident Kingfishers, Herons and Woodpeckers. During winter, there is often a mist hovering over the water, giving it an eerie feel. Surrounded by farmland, you do feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere. Flo really enjoys duck and horse spotting on these walks.

Being a linear walk, means you can walk as far as you like depending on how you feel, which is perfect during those early newborn days.

Woodland Walks- there really is nothing better than the soft and springy ground of a woodland. We are lucky to live near to a couple of small woodland copses and its here Flo really gets to experience nature. I always encourage her to touch leaves, trees, pinecones and berries (keeping a careful eye on her of course). She is often so mesmerised by the towering trees and bird song. I myself love wandering amongst the trees, there is something so peaceful about these walks.

Bridleway Walks- with a bridleway through the countryside just a few feet from where we live, this was a godsend post baby as it is so accessible with a buggy. Surrounded by stables and farmland, this was and continues to be our ‘bread and butter’ walk. It changes constantly throughout the seasons, as the trees and hedgerows come to life before winding down for the colder months. It is here we have seen some spectacular birdlife including Linnets, Buzzards, Red Kites, Red Wings and Tree Creepers.

During the chilly spring months, we headed a little further afield and found ourselves in some amazing bright yellow fields full of rape seed. It was here we sat down under an ancient tree for a cuppa, just like Detectorists!

Graveyard Walks- ok, so hear me out on this one. You’re probably thinking it’s not the nicest place to take a baby but trust me, you will be rewarded with some amazing wildlife. There is a section of old Victorian graves in our local graveyard and it’s here Flo is able to really hear the bird song as it’s just so quiet. We have seen low hunting Buzzards, Rabbits, Foxes, Goldcrests and many, many Green Woodpeckers. There is always an abundance of fungi too, which makes it more enjoyable. When Flo can finally walk, it will be the perfect spot for her to toddle about, and with fields at the back, we can slip into those for some Goldfinch spotting.

Hill Walks- in Leicestershire, we are lucky to have Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill and Swithland Woods, these are all accessible country parks that offer spectacular views and some hillwalking, if you’re looking for something a little more challenging. I have found these to be the perfect spot for some babywearing practise ahead of bigger hikes in the Peaks and beyond.

In summer, they are lush with green bracken and wildflowers, but autumn/winter is my favourite time to go. The leaves constantly fall like confetti, you can go fungi spotting or just soak up the russet colours of gold and orange.

With so much to see, these are the perfect walks to keep Flo engaged and interested. She never sleeps on these walks as there is just so much to soak in. There are rocky outcrops in each, with I have already eyed up as the perfect playground for Flo when she’s a little older.

As a new parent, it can often feel overwhelming when you log into Instagram and see some families on big hikes and adventures. However, we are all different and sometimes the small adventures can often be the most special and rewarding.