Mar Lodge, near Braemar

I myself did not go, my son went deer stalking. These are his photos.

Mar Lodge is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is situated near Braemar (where Highland Games take place), in the Caerngorms National Park.  Amongst this Highland landscape there are remnants of the ancient caledonian pine forest, heather moorland, juniper scrub and part of the highland cairngorm plateau. 

The Estate offers accommodation to those wishing to take part in shooting, stalking, fishing, walking - really is a beautiful place. 

To quote the marlodge website - "Long term conservation is a priority - in particular the regeneration of Caledonian pinewood by reducing the damage caused by grazing red deer.  Elsewhere you will see evidence of the Trust's pioneering work in mountain footpath repair, and the restoration of bulldozed hill tracks."

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

Kenilworth Castle is managed by English Heritage so you have to pay to go in, sadly I arrived rather late so will go back another day and actually go inside, I'd love to walk round the Elizabethan Gardens as well.

It has a very interesting history, you can read all about it here:-

http://www.kenilworthweb.co.uk/menu/places-of-interest/kenilworth-castle

Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire

Dunstable Downs offer the most amazing views of the Vale of Aylesbury and the Chiltern Ridge.   It is very popular for kite-flying and gliders.

The Chilterns Gateway Center is owned by the Central Bedfordshire Council but managed by the National Trust.  The food and drinks are good, and reasonably priced.  You only have to pay £1.50 for the car park if you are not an NT member (or disabled).  There is a well-stocked shop selling various knick-knacks, jams, books etc.  I saw a noticeboard with a list of various birds that had recently been spotted in the area, a very long list indeed.  So next time will take my binos.

The kites are lovely to watch, not many gliders the day I went, perhaps it wasn't windy enough - lots of dog walkers, hikers and families enjoying the space.  Smashing day out!

Ashridge Park Estate, Hertfordshire

There are lots of deer in the woods, but they are very shy.  Unfortunately in my rush to snap this trio my camera focussed on the leaves in front.  Next time I will spend more time there and hopefully get better pics.

Ashridge is managed by the National Trust, a lovely place with a very odd folly the Bridgewater Monument which you can climb up to the top and view the Chilterns.

Nearby is the Pitstone Hill and Windmill and Ivinghoe Beacon and Hills, which offers views of both Buckinghamshire and Herfordshire, also an important area for butterfllies and orchids in the summer.  So I shall go back later in the year with my camera.

Dawlish and Teignmouth

Both lovely places to visit.  I went in November so not many people around, I prefer that to hordes of tourists.   Just love the red in the cliffsides, tried to show it in these pics at both Teignmouth and Dawlish.  Dawlish is famous for its black swans which sit all day on the river on the seafront, and great too to see the pigeons and ducks, and of course seagulls. 

Stanwick Lakes

Stanwick Lakes is situated between Thrapston and Wellingborough on the A45.  It is a marvelous place of peace, serenity and beauty.  Stanwick Lakes are rather new, having been a site for quarrying minerals between 1985 and 2004.  Prior to the quarrying, the Stanwick site has a rich tapestry of history from farming, a sewage farm, a tannery, railway stations and sidings, and even further back - thanks to archaelogical excavations - the area also once had a Roman settlement too.

Stanwick Lakes are now a really important site within the Nene Valley for breeding, feeding, wintering and migrating birds including golden plover, pintail, teal, oyster catchers, lapwing and great crested grebe, not to mention numerous dragonflies and other delightful mini-beasties.

You can hire a boat or canoe in the summer months, or hire a bicycle and make use of the full 7 miles circular route around the lakes (don't miss the hide) and there is also a linear route of 4 miles between Irthlingborough and Thrapston (the old railway line) which gives the local people a good excuse to leave the car at home and go green - horse riders need a permit, and all paths are flat and well maintained and wheelchair friendly.

There is a cafe and shop, visitor center with lots of information about the local area and (thankfully! as not many places do) toilets, and also there are picnic tables dotted around, benches along the way to stop and admire the view and a play/adventure area for the kids.

All in all a great place for a great day out. You just need to remember you'll need 3 one pound coins to lift the barrier to leave, or pay £25 per annum.

Rutland Water - nature reserve

Rutland Water nature reserve is vast,   I couldn't possibly do it justice here other than to offer you a glimpse of what you may see when there.  If you are interested in birdwatching, there are 22 hides dotted around and there is always something new to see.

The other side of the reservoir offers leisure activities for the whole family, including sailing, fishing, cycling and of course detailed walks. 

I must thank Owen and Easton for some of these photos as mine weren't as good as theirs.  ;-)