'Mum, do we have to go to another boring old castle?'

'Mum, when can we come back?

Children are not usually as enthusiastic about old tapestries, old furniture and Old Masters as us grown-ups--but turn the page and you'll find out, as Zeena Lemon did, that family-friendly Eastnor Castle offers so much more

Situated just outside Ledbury, the fairy-tale 19th Century Eastnor castle boasts a number of magnificent rooms and spectacular collections, including early Italian fine art, mediaeval armour, 17th century Venetian furniture, Flemish tapestries, and paintings by Van Dyck, Reynolds, Romney and Watts.

But while that may be all very interesting to the grown-ups, smaller people have very different priorities. Luckily, there's plenty to keep them entertained, too.

The arboretum is home to giant redwoods which will lead to much junior neck-craning, while the assault course and playground and the Knights Maze kept us entertained all afternoon.

There is also a great gift shop, superb tearoom and many inspiring places to picnic.

Last year we visited in the summer for a fun-filled children's activity week, which included story-telling in the woods, inflatable assault courses, zip wires, drumming and circus skills. The Children's Fun Week this year runs from August 14-18 and is a truly memorable day out.

We returned in the autumn as well, for a quieter look at the grounds, and enjoyed every minute of our lakeside walk in the woods, lunch in the picnic area and fun in the adventure playground.

In a bid to encourage more people to enjoy the breathtaking grounds and scenery, Eastnor has reduced its 2006 grounds-only admission prices to £3 for adults, £1 children, £2 for senior citizens and a family ticket for £7. Even better value for regular visitors is the season family ticket (two adults and up to three children) priced £54, which allows you unlimited access to the grounds and castle and all special events throughout the year (except the forthcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream).

It is refreshing that Eastnor Castle, while preserved historically, is still vibrant and inventive, welcoming people without pretension but with a real desire to offer something different. It will ensure a memorable day out for all.

How to get there

By car: From Worcester, take the A44 (signed Leominster, Malvern, Hereford), then follow the A449 through Malvern. Just before Ledbury, turn left on to the A438 (signed Tewkesbury, Eastnor). The 19-mile journey takes about 30 minutes.

By train: Services to Ledbury, two-and-a-half miles away, run from Worcester Shrub Hill or Foregate Street every one to two hours. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.