English Heritage has launched 'bonding benches' at its paid-for historic sites, including Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, to tackle parental isolation. The benches feature a sliding notice allowing parents to indicate whether they are 'up for a chat' or 'craving quiet'.
The charity is also introducing communal activities for young families and hosting National Childbirth Trust (NCT) volunteer-led sling and buggy walks at selected locations. Emma Fernandes-Lopes, assistant operations director at English Heritage, said modern parenthood can be isolating, with many parents living far from extended family and lacking support networks.
Research from the NCT indicates that two-thirds of new parents feel lonely or isolated at least some of the time, and almost 90% feel overwhelmed. The bonding benches will be placed in family-friendly areas such as near playgrounds or open grassland.
Fernandes-Lopes noted that historic sites were originally community hubs and that families make up over a third of visits. 'We want to make sure we are tapping into that,' she said. NCT walks are scheduled at Audley End, Kenwood, Marble Hill, Wrest Park, and Kenilworth Castle.
Family visitors can also pick up an 'adventurer’s checklist' with tasks like finding animal signs, splashing in puddles, and making silly sounds in echoey places.
