Year 5 had a fabulous day at Badminton Estate on 25^th June.  We met the groundsman who showed us the beautiful gardens and the huge variety of fruit and vegetables they grow on site – we saw 3 different coloured tomatoes including a black one!  The roses smelled gorgeous too.

We then went to the woods to meet Adam and learn about tree surgery.  We watched him climb a tree using his special kit and learned how the woodlands are managed.  We then went on to the team of BASC who taught us about gamekeeping and conservation.  We were able to taste some of their delicious venison sausages which were barbequed for us.

Following that, we met the lovely farmers who taught us about crops and machinery and all had a go at sitting in their very lovely (and very expensive) tractor.

After lunch we went to meet the gorgeous Badminton Hounds and we found out how they are kept and looked after.  Some of them were as big as us!  Then we went on to meet the puppies and were able to have puppy snuggles – Mrs Sinclair checked our bags as we left to make sure we didn’t smuggle any home!

We walked through the stables on our way back to the coach, saying hello to all the beautiful horses and we met the Stud Groom where we were able to ask lots of questions.  We saw a working forge run by Bernie who has been a farrier for 68 years – we guessed he really loved his job.  He demonstrated how a horseshoe is made and we were surprised to see how red hot the steel became before Bernie was able to force it into a horseshoe shape.

Even the weather smiled on us today!  J told us it was “The best trip I have ever been on!”