Our Ride + Stride Adventure: A Family Day Out
This year, we decided to take part in Ride + Stride as a family of three, plus our two dogs!
With our daughter being only four, we thought we’d need to get a little creative to keep her engaged throughout the day.
So, we came up with the idea of a “Churches Hunt” scavenger sheet. Armed with her clipboard, pens, and plenty of excitement, we set off on our family adventure.
Stop 1: St Giles, Uley
Our first stop was St Giles, Uley, perched high up with some absolutely stunning views. We received a warm welcome as we arrived and enjoyed exploring the church.
Our daughter quickly discovered the toy corner and happily played before ticking off items on her scavenger hunt sheet. It was the perfect start to the day! Though refreshments were available, we decided to press on to our next stop.
Stop 2: St Mary’s, Hawkesbury
Next, we headed to St Mary’s, Hawkesbury – a little off the beaten track but so worth the journey. Driving through the rolling countryside, the church slowly revealed itself in all its beauty, and we were immediately taken by its charm.
We were greeted so warmly by Ian and Sally, who gave us a fascinating history of the church, pointing out its unique features and sharing their future plans (including the addition of a toilet – something that will make a big difference for visitors!).
They also showed us their wildflower garden, which was absolutely lovely, and we couldn’t resist browsing their little library. Our daughter was delighted by the children’s corner too, keeping her happily occupied while we soaked in the beauty of the building.
The church felt like the heart of its community, and the welcome was so genuine that we’re already planning to return for one of their family services, held every third Sunday of the month. Before we left, we couldn’t resist a cupcake, which was the perfect treat to keep us going!
Stop 3: St Mary’s, Beverston
Our final stop was St Mary’s, Beverston, where we were warmly greeted by Pam and Gill. They had set out a wonderful spread of cakes and drinks for all the riders and striders passing through.
After a wander around the church, our daughter got stuck into her scavenger hunt again, before heading outside to explore the stunning surroundings. She loved spotting ladybirds and collecting different leaves, while we enjoyed the peaceful setting and gorgeous views behind the church.
Of course, we couldn’t resist sampling the famous cakes – and they lived up to their reputation!
By this point, lunchtime had crept up on us, so we decided to head home. We’d originally planned to visit six churches, assuming our daughter’s attention span would be short. But thanks to the incredibly warm welcomes, her scavenger hunt, and the tempting cakes, we found ourselves happily spending much longer at each stop.
It turned into a truly memorable day, not just for us, but for our daughter, who was fully engaged and excited from start to finish, so much so that she has asked to go again tomorrow!
We’ll definitely be back next year, and this time we’ll plan for a full day of church exploring. It was such a wonderful family experience and a great way to feel connected to local communities, history, and of course, cake!