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The Barbour Blog

Date
June 18th, 2013

Win with Barbour & the National Trust

To celebrate Barbour's 100 Days of Summer the National Trust recommend their top places for a picnic, so you can enjoy some fabulous Al Fresco dining.

What's more you could win a National Trust family admission pass and a Barbour picnic blanket, by sharing your own Al Fresco recipes. Simply visit Tumblr or enter via Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #BarbourAlFresco. All we need now is the sun!


There’s no better way to celebrate summer than packing a picnic and catching up with friends and family. With miles of coastline and acres of countryside, the National Trust has some of the best places in the country for eating al fresco.
Here are some of the top National Trust picnic spots for a family day out:

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Whether it is cycling, orienteering or a gentle stroll in this spacious park, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun with all the family followed by a relaxing picnic by the lake. The kids can also hang out on the climbing forest in the play park, complete some of the ’50 things’ activity list or pick up a family tracker pack to see what they can find. “My favourite spot for a picnic in Clumber Park is on the opposite side of the lake with views of Clumber chapel. On a warm day the sound of the country, the noise of grasshoppers in the grass and the call of swifts as they screech through the air makes it a great place to just sit and watch the world go by.’ - Gareth Jones, ranger
For visitor information and events visit nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park

Croome, Worcestershire
Croome is the ideal place to relax, unwind and let the kids run off all their energy. With plenty of activities to keep the children entertained and exciting walking trails to explore, Croome is great for a family day out and a lovely place to enjoy a picnic next to the beautiful lake. “My perfect spot for a picnic at Croome is sitting on the bank of the lake or in the Island Pavilion as you can listen to birds and wildlife and just relax in the tranquillity.” - Katherine Alker, garden and park manager
For visitor information and events visit nationaltrust.org.uk/croome

Fell Foot Park, Cumbria
Enjoy a scenic picnic on the shores of Lake Windermere in the surroundings of Fell Foot Park. With views of the Lakeland fells, an adventure playground for the kids and rowing boats to hire and splash about in, Fell Foot is a fun place to relax with the family and doesn’t cost a penny to visit.
Make a weekend of it: There are six cottages on the west shore of Windermere, including a former summerhouse in the gardens of Wray Castle, a 1930s log and stone cottage and a pair of cottages just ten meters from the water’s edge. Cottages sleep between four and five.
For visitor information and events visit nationaltrust.org.uk/fell-foot-park

Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

This big outdoors estate with four lakes in its centre is a great space for the kids to run around and enjoy days out this summer. Sit down for sandwiches amongst beautiful summer flowers, enjoy cricket matches on the historic pitch or explore the garden with family tracker packs and parkland trails.
For visitor information and events visit nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden

Studland Beach, Dorset

Take the children for a fabulous day out on this golden sandy beach that stretches four miles from South Haven Point to Old Harry Rocks, with shallow bathing water perfect for the little ones. Be sure to bring buckets, spades and picnics for a blissful day on the sands. You can also visit the nearby ruins of Corfe Castle to discover over 700 years of history and relive childhood memories by seeing the inspiration behind Enid Blyton’s Kirren Castle in the Famous Five. “In the early evening, sitting in the long grass on the slope above Old Harry rocks along Studland, looking at all the boats returning to Poole Harbour, is my favourite place to have a picnic and watch the sun set over the harbour and Brownsea Island. The long grass is full of movement as songbirds and seabirds flit up and down and around the cliffs.” -Emma Wright, staff member at Studland Beach.
For visitor information and events visit nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach

Sheffield Park Garden
Clumber Chapel
Date
June 17th, 2013

Meet Matt Sewell

Matt Sewell

Artist Matt Sewell is an avid ornithologist, regular contributor to the CAUGHT BY THE RIVER website and author of the bestselling book Our Garden Birds and Our Songbirds. He has illustrated for The Guardian, The V&A, Levis, painted walls for Helly Hansen, Puma and the RSPB and exhibited in London, Manchester, Tokyo and Paris.

When & why did you start painting?
I can't really remember exactly when I started as I've been into painting and drawing since year dot. But i very much remember doing my first nature watercolour, my sister bought be a tin set of watercolours for me to take on my travels to Australia a few years ago. When i got back i was asked to contribute my favourite birds to the Caught by the River blog, the watercolours were on my desk at the time so I just thought I'd give them a go. It turned out nice and a year or so later I had a book out. Not Bad!

What advice would you give someone trying to follow in your footsteps?
I always say two things when I get asked this, firstly draw as much as possible, that way you will develop your own style and drawing will become like second nature. Secondly is a bit of advice from my mam as she has always said "shy bairns get nowt". I was always very worried about getting my work out and in front of people, but if you really want to work with a company or label or whatever you have to show your work off, nobody is going to see it locked away in your studio or on a hard-drive. Be cheeky, don't be shy.

If you weren't an illustrator what would you do?
I've always been quite envious of the dudes on at the end of Attenborough programmes who get to go to lush, warm countries and film beautiful animals and hang out with cool locals in the sunshine. That looks like a good job to me.

Your favourite illustration and why?
Out of the Barbour paintings I think my favourite would have to be the kingfisher. As i have tried and failed so many times to capture the life, shape and that amazing blue of that amazing bird. They're magical, ethereal creatures that can be easily found on many of our riversides, if you know how to look. They have a special place in my heart and hopefully with this painting I have done them justice.

Plans for the Great British summer?
I'm going to a few festivals to do workshops and talks promoting my new book Our Songbirds. First up is Glastonbury, I can't wait! I will also be doing stuff at Tim Burgess's Tim Peaks area at Kendal Calling and Festival No.6. We will also be having another baby so I'm guessing it's going to be quite a busy summer.

Discover more of Matt's work on our 100 Days of Summer Tumblr
mattsewell.co.uk
spottingandjotting.co.uk
twitter.com/sewellspotnjot