Children’s Activity Trail at Leonardslee with Award-Winning Author Hannah Peckham

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is excited to announce the return of the Conker Activity Trail to the Horsham estate, featuring the acclaimed children's author Hannah Peckham, from 10 June to 30 July, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This immersive event invites visitors to explore nature, their senses, and their emotions while engaging with the imaginative world of Peckham's books. 

The Conker Activity Trail is designed to help lay the foundation of good mental health in children, mirroring the goals of Peckham's books. Upon arrival, visitors can pick up a free activity book at reception and follow Conker, the lovable chameleon, around the picturesque gardens in celebration of her award-winning book, Conker the Chameleon. 

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens was chosen as the perfect location for the trail, as woodland gardens provide a calming and restorative effect on the mind for both children and adults. Studies have shown that cortisol levels decrease when walking in nature, and outdoor activities can reduce the risk of poor mental health. 

The trail is free for Leonardslee members, while non-members will need to purchase a garden entry ticket - £14.50 for an adult and £6.50 for a child. 

In addition to the activity trail, Hannah Peckham will host a book reading at Leonardslee on 17th June. Peckham is passionate about writing beautiful stories that teach essential social and emotional lessons, supporting children’s emotional literacy. 

#PantsToLeukhemia

Peckham's latest book, Bronty's Battle Cry, follows a little dinosaur who learns to live life singing to his own tune. During the illustration stage, Peckham's three-year-old son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Now on a mission to raise awareness and find a kinder cure, Peckham works tirelessly on the #PantsToLeukhemia initiative with her son, Bodhi. As a result, 25p of each book sold will be donated to the Leukaemia UK #PantsToLeukaemia fund. 

Don't miss this opportunity to bond with nature, read literature, and support a great cause. Visit Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens for an unforgettable experience. 

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is a stunning Grade I listed woodland garden located in Horsham, West Sussex. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse flora and fauna, it provides a serene environment for visitors to connect with nature and enjoy various events throughout the year. 

Children’s Adventure Trail: Author Beck is back with ‘Bronty’s Battle Cry’ 

Sussex author Hannah Peckham for the Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens launch of her latest children’s book ‘Conker and the Monkey Trap’. The Conker activity trail through the woodland gardens returns and a workshop, which includes readings by the author, structured activities and discussions, primarily for children aged 3-8 years, .  

“My books aim to lay the foundations of emotional literacy.  The first, ‘Conker the Chameleon’ focused on how important it is to talk about feelings. ‘Conker and the Monkey Trap’ looks at letting go of big feelings, mental well-being and how being brave comes in all different shapes and sizes,“ Hannah says. 

She says that laying the foundations of good mental health early on can give children the gift of emotional literacy: “As parents, we all want to protect our children from ever feeling emotional pain, but we can’t stop difficult things happening. We can provide them with skills and understanding so they can cope when challenging times occur, and that is what my books aim to do.”  

There will be a selection of play resources in the workshop for social-emotional development from a variety of educational publishers, which will be available to provide parents with ideas for talking with a child about emotional wellbeing. 

Hannah chose Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens as an ideal setting for the launch and an adventure trail. For children and adults alike, a woodland garden has a calming, restorative effect on the mind. Studies show that the level of the stress hormone, cortisol, is lower when walking in nature. Activities in the woods or parks have been found to reduce the risk of poor mental health. 

These effects are steadily gaining more recognition. Forest bathing, for example, is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. It is an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and take in the surroundings through all five senses for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. 

Hannah is also the author of ‘Climb’, about Hetty, a little elephant, determined to prove her worth in a world that's not built for her to thrive. The illustrated book helps children celebrate differences and develop positive attitudes about their talents.