One sunny day in February we decided to have a good brisk walk around the grounds at Attingham Park. So did everyone else, so it seemed, and the car park was very busy. However, once we set off around the deer park walk people had thinned out. We saw couples and family groups probably more than is usual because it was a Saturday and also the start of the half term holiday. ‘Fat chance of seeing the deer then’ we thought but how wrong we were. February is a very good time to see them. The rutting season is over (the peak is in October) and they are hungry and safer to be around so they come off their usual summer pastures closer to the house. The estate feeds them deer nuts because it is in their interest to feed them up, after all they farm them for food as well, and want to encourge them closer for their visitors to see, especially children. They were so close we could hear them munching away. Some had impressive horns still and they are docile but dogs should be kept away and on leads as they are easily spooked.
It was a good walk through a wood with ancient trees to see as well.
