Mike Tindall reveals daughter Mia spends the morning doing schoolwork and afternoons playing sports and riding as he opens up about family life in lockdown on Princess Anne's estate

• Mike Tindall revealed his 'whole new respect for teachers' while homeschooling 
• The former England rugby player, 41, is homeschooling his daughter Mia, six 
• Zara and Mike live on the Gatcombe estate in Gloucester and enjoy time outside 

Mike Tindall has revealed how he has a 'whole new respect for teachers' while homeschooling his daughter as he admits they have 'days where it feels harder'. 

The former England rugby player, 41, who shares six-year-old Mia and Lena, one, with Zara Tindall, 39, told Hello! about his family's homeschooling schedule with afternoons dedicated to 'playtime, sports and being outside'. 

The father-of-two said they focus on core subjects such as maths, English, reading and writing in the morning with Mia following in her mother's equestrian footsteps by riding in the afternoon. 

But despite living on the same Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire as Princess Anne, 69, they have not seen Zara's mother since the lockdown, as she's been busy with charity work.  

Mike revealed how the abundance of animals on the Gloucestershire farm has kept the children busy with the family placing great importance on spending time outside. 

Speaking to HELLO! magazine, Mike said: 'We live on a farm so there are lots of animals, including horses and dogs, that we look after. Mia's been riding since she was little and also likes riding her bike and playing ball.' 

And Mike, whose charity golf day would have taken place this year, said he has been trying to encourage little Mia into the sport. 

'I’ve been trying to get her into golf but so far I’m not having a huge amount of luck,' he said.

Mike said his 'overriding take-away' from homeschooling is a 'whole new respect for teacher as he revealed: 'I always knew they did a great job but this just brings it into sharp focus.' 

It comes after Mike revealed that they were currently planning to send Mia back to school on the June 1 in line with government guidelines opening the doors to reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils next month, but admitted he was keeping a close eye on developments. 

He said the WhatsApp group they share with the Cambridges and the Sussexes 'hasn't been that active' during lockdown and revealed that 'everyone is just getting on with it'. 

Mike also admitted it's been hard not seeing his parents Phil and Linda, who are isolating in West Yorkshire, and who are in the high risk category - with his father having suffered from Parkinson's for the past 18 years and his mother battling with asthma.

The families are keeping in contact with video calls, and Mike revealed they are taking as many photos as possible of Lena, 1, as 'so much changes in six months' at that age.  

Speaking about his father, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003, Mike said: 'The NHS and pharmacies where he lives have been fantastic about getting his medication to him and that's helped to reduce the impact of lockdown on his health but it's still hard.' 

He added how his parents miss the social interaction with family and friends and his father's only outdoor exercise is walking the dog once a day. 

Mike also spoke of his appreciation for the NHS and revealed how the current situation is 'very tough on the older and vulnerable at the moment'. 

The father-of-two added how he and Zara have been enjoying cycling and running together during lockdown and save their 'competitive spirit' for board and garden games.   

Zara and Mike and their children live on Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucester, with Mia's school presumed to be close by.

They have three dogs, ten horses, as well as a similar number of cars including Land Rovers, a horsebox and a Jaguar F-Type.

Gatcombe is located in the heart of the Cotswolds, and is just a few miles away from Highgrove, Prince Charles' home in nearby Tetbury.

The Queen bought the Grade II-listed manor house for her only daughter and her then husband Captain Mark Phillips as a wedding present, and the couple moved in 1977 - and raised their two children, Peter and Zara, on the estate.

The main manor house boasts five main bedrooms, four secondary bedrooms, four reception rooms, a library, a billiard room, and a conservatory.