Weekend Getaway ~ Day TWO

To start the day off, we stopped at Kirby Muxloe Castle, just 10 minutes from our wonderful Marriott Hotel! {We had the BEST English breakfast each morning there} It was the last day for the castle to be open. There were more people here than there were at the Ashby Castle but as long as it's not a HUGE crowd we're happy! :)

This fortified mansion was built for Lord Hastings, who was seized and executed by Richard III in 1483. It was never finished for this reason. It really would have been a huge, beautiful castle!

 

 

Then, we drove about an hour to Stoke-on-Trent where we visited the Monkey Forest. The monkeys were roaming free, however, none came up close to us like they have pictured all over their website. It was a little disappointing and EXTREMELY crowded.

 

Our last stop for the day was Trentham Estate & Gardens.

 The first thing we did when we got there was to sit down and have a little picnic.

 

Look Mom, a fairy!!

 

The kids wanted to do another Barefoot Walk

 

We teamed up and raced through this maze.........Allie & I won!

 

We found the Secret Garden!

Ended the day with some family pictures