It’s not all work and no play at Wildheart Residential Management.

Summer brings the opportunity for colleagues from our offices in Surrey, Nottingham, Liverpool and Eastbourne to connect at the annual Wildheart Family Day Out.

After a busy start to the season across all our regional offices, before we knew it, the eagerly anticipated day out was upon us.

This year, the venue for our Wildheart Family Day Out was a residential property with a difference: Hampton Court Palace.

The forecast was good, with 25 degrees and sun expected. The picnic was ordered, the refreshments were chilled, tickets for Hampton Court Palace were purchased, and the private “Tudors” tour of the palace was booked.

Arranging to meet on the Tilt Yard Lawn was a stroke of luck. As in true British fashion, the weather turned out far too chilly for the shorts, t-shirts and summer dresses we were all wearing. Coming to the rescue, our Managing Director, Simon, headed straight into the café with a hot drinks order—tea, coffee and hot chocolate all round.

Then, surrounded by wasps and bird poop, we warmed up and got to know our extended Wildheart family: each other’s mums, children and partners.

A private tour for Wildheart directors and colleagues

Once the introductions were over, we made our way to the meeting point for our Tudors tour. The Great Gatehouse of the palace was clad in six-story high scaffolding. It made our gaggle of property professionals wonder: How on earth did Cardinal Wolsey manage to build the thing 500 years ago. And had they never heard of Health & Safety?

The tour was led by a lovely lady who was regularly put on the spot by one of our 10-year-olds. Having recently studied The Tudors at school, the questions surrounding ghosts, toilets and beheaded wives flowed like the Thames.

Our tour was interesting and informative, and the 90 minutes flew by. We had a few hangers-on who either didn’t realise it was a private tour or didn’t care. When they started to interject with their own questions, our guide put them firmly in their place. Honestly, it’s all part of the fun and gave us all a little giggle.

Wildheart families connect over a delicious lunch

Next, we made our way back to the Tilt Yard picnic area for lunch, and Harringtons of Fetcham did themselves proud. With a diverse set of dietary requirements to cater for, like kids that only eat cheese, vegetarian but no egg, no chilli or peppers and halal, they made sure all bellies were filled.

The food was lovely and included sandwiches, samosas, corn fritters, brownies and scones with cream. Way too much food and not quite enough rosé wine…

Play time for our young (and young at heart) Wildheart families

Whilst the Wildheart directors tidied up the food and picnic blankets, colleagues and families trundled off to the maze, the gardens or The Magic Garden.

The children didn’t care if it was still cold and grey. They welcomed any excuse to play with water and sand, roll down a hill and get soaked.

Finally, as the Wildheart Family Day Out drew to a close, we parted ways with promises to get together again soon. Some left by train, some drove back to the Midlands, and some fell asleep in their pushchairs.

It was a lovely way to spend an August day. And a great way for our Wildheart family to catch up, meet new colleagues, their nearest and dearest and soak up a bit of history.

Now, what to do next summer…?