FAMILY DAYS OUT WITH LESSONS IN FUN
The good times start at the gates of every Trust property or site. Here’s our brilliant pick of the best days out for younger guests
THEY say every day is a school day… but learning about our history, environment and culture need not be stuffy or classroom-based.A family visit to a National Trust property can be a fun-filled day out where parents can relax and kids can get their hands dirty trying out brilliant experiences or simply letting their imaginations run wild.
STUNNING Mount Stewart in County Down, Northern Ireland, has been voted one of the world’s top ten gardens, and there are lots of different areas for a family to explore. Climb up to the Temple of the Winds for stunning views of Strangford Lough, or head towards the Red Squirrel Hide and try to spot some of the native reds who enjoy protection at Mount Stewart.
Take a walk to the Natural Play Area where kids can build a den, balance on beams and see what magical creatures they can spot, or pick another nature trail, perhaps heading to the GlenWoodland for some forest bathing. If you have never tried ‘geocaching’, maybe it’s time to discover this exciting outdoor treasure because Mount Stewart demesne is full of hidden digital prizes.All you need is a hand-held GPS or smartphone, and a sense of adventure. For a more relaxed visit, the Edwardian Dyffryn
Gardens inWales are a peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Cardiff stretching over 55 acres, with year-round activities. Explore the gardens at their best, spot blooming flowers all over the gardens, play hide and seek and bring a frisbee or ball to get active on the Great Lawn.
Picnics can be enjoyed anywhere in the gardens.There are two wild play areas built from Dyffryn’s own felled wood where children can hop, skip, and jump from log to log and find all sorts of creepy crawlies in the hedges, grass, and bark chip. Spot butterflies, moths, and an array of insects in the long grass and meadows or be transported to desert and rainforest in the glasshouse and get up close to cacti, orchids, and pitcher plants.
The stunning Georgian house at Killerton, Devon, is set in 6,400 acres of working farmland, woods, parkland and orchards with beautiful rhododendrons, champion trees and formal lawns. Former owners the Acland family were dog lovers and Killerton is perfect for dog walkers as well as for children.
A buggy-friendly path around the garden is perfect for little legs. For the more adventurous, climb an extinct volcano, trek to the top of the Clump and find a den building area, or carry on up to the top of Dolbury Hill, the site of an Iron Age hill fort dating to 406BC.The views across the ExeValley are stupendous.A black and white timber-framed Tudor manor house set on the banks of the River Mersey, Speke Hall in Liverpool oozes with dark history to fascinate enquiring minds.
Its secret priest hole tells a story of the persecution faced by Catholics like the devout Norris family who built the house, while the Watt family who later financed it did so on the back of their longstanding involvement in transatlantic slavery, all of which is explored and reflected on.
Outside, there are play areas with climbing frames, slides, balance beams and more. Families can find their way around the hedge maze, discover the secret garden or follow the Giant Childe of Hale play trail to find out about the local legend of John Middleton who was supposedly 9ft 3ins call.There are opportunities for Victorian dress-up in the dairy, a family-friendly quiz, or you can borrow a tracker pack to help find hidden objects in the gardens.
Tyntesfield, near Bristol is a
Gothic Revival masterpiece, with flower-filled terraces, an empty lake, extensive woodland and a productive kitchen garden, is a top spot for having a go at some of the great activities. On a sunny day, pack a picnic and tuck in on the lawns or embrace spring showers and don wellies for a walk.
Explore the woodland to enjoy some of the oldest, widest and most interesting of their species. Look out for the enchanted tree house in the woodland play area, the rope swing and plenty of places to play hide and seek.There is also a sculpture trail plus the Home Farm and Pavilion play areas where you’ll find stepping stones, boulders, balance logs and beams. Commissioned by coal baron George Bowes, Gibside, the Georgian estate at Newcastle upon Tyne is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life with its 600 acres of refreshing open spaces, winding paths, spectacular views, peaceful woodlands, grand ruin and the Column to Liberty monument towering above it all. Escape along the Avenue and around the garden for miles of tranquil walks, wildlife spotting and picnic spots. Gibside is home to Roe deer, Red Kites, amphibianfilled ponds and a fruitful Walled Garden. Enjoy family fun on the Explorer Trail and compete at flying disc golf, zoom across the zipline at Strawberry Castle play area, build dens and take on the low ropes challenge.
The Jacobean-style house and gardens of Anglesey Abbey and Lode Mill in Cambs were made for family fun.When the future Lord Fairhaven began to create his first home at the age of 30, and transformed a run-down country house and desolate landscape, he was determined to impress guests.
Life then revolved around horse racing and shooting, and guests enjoyed 1930s luxury, but today the grounds of the Abbey boast family-friendly nature experiences.
There is a big focus on natural play at the Hoe Fen wildlife discovery area, nestled away at the end of the woodland path.With swings, a scrambler climbing frame, bird watching, bug hunting, amphibian spotting and den building, there is plenty to do.
So why not pack up a picnic and make a day of it with the family?
Belton House in Lincs is another perfect place to tick off some of the Trusts’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’, from watching the sunset to running barefoot, climbing trees and getting muddy knees.
Kids can also swing, dangle, wobble climb and jump their way through, across and over the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground, set within an ancient wilderness.
There is also an indoor adventure play area, wooden houses, large wooden climbing areas with slides and swings and outdoor musical instruments.
Belton encourages challenging playful experiences in a safe environment to help child development. Parents will know which equipment is most appropriate.
There is also a miniature steam train on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, an ancient deer park and a maze.
With its serpentine river, commanding views over the Malverns and elegant garden buildings, Croome’s parkland, Worcs, is a perfect place for walks and adventures. During the Second World War Croome was used as a secret airbase and you can learn more about the many people who worked there, in the RAF museum located at the visitor centre.
Children can let their imaginations run wild in the RAF-themed playground, including a climbable control tower, a slide shaped as a crashed plane, a scramble net and bunker. There is also a natural play area with swinging steps, rope walk, wobble board and a log walk. Croome’s ‘Potter & Ponder’ maps encourage visitors to experience the parkland using touch, sight, sound, taste and smell.
Hundreds of years ago East Riddlesden Hall in West Yorkshire was a thriving farming estate. Today the house tells tales of the ambition, success and failure of those who lived and worked there, and the barn displays the 400-year-old markings of proud craftsmen.
Inside the house you can find out more about the people who called this place home, with regular spotter trails, knowledgeable volunteers and interesting interpretation to keep the young and notso-young occupied. Outside there is a wild play area with denbuilding, balancing logs and a mud pie kitchen – reportedly the best of its kind in the National Trust’s portfolio.There is also a bird hide, willow tunnel, and huge grounds to explore.
Laid out at one of the highest points in the ‘Garden of England’ Emmetts Garden, Kent, contains rare trees and shrubs from across the world, as well as panoramic views over the Weald and great walking opportunities. Emmetts is currently hosting the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) exhibition. See winning photographs alongside photo projects and images from the inaugural ‘Inspiring Emmetts’ special award (until 13 June, free with admission). For the May half-term, there’s special family activities linked to the exhibition, too. Children – and parents – can explore the wild play area and scramble through branches, balance across beams, dangle on swings, climb over logs and hide out in the den.They can play skittles or giant dominoes on the meadow, relax with a picnic or play in a tepee. In the summer holidays, tackle challenges set by the Fairy Queen on the Fairy Kingdom trail!