Adventure awaits
EXPERIENCE EXCITING FAMILY FUN WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST
WITH May half term approaching, day trips are on the cards for many of us. It’s time to unleash your wild side and plan your family adventures. By enjoying a day out with the National Trust you’re also helping Europe’s largest conservation charity to look after the nature, beauty and history of each place for everyone, for ever. Read on for top places to visit across Yorkshire and the North East...
NORTHUMBERLAND Wallington, Cambo
Bring your bike and head out across the countryside on the family-friendly Dragon cycle trail. If you prefer being on two feet rather than two wheels, try the River or Farm walk – both circular walks which take just over an hour to complete. There are also four play areas to discover, including a play train and a wooden fort.
Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton Sluice
Discover the intriguing Mirror Cube and Dark Matter Cube in the South East garden and the Delaval Playdium play area in the woods at Seaton Delaval Hall. Indoors, venture into the fire-scarred Central Hall, atmospheric Basement and West Wing, where creative installations bring the Delaval home to life.
TYNe aNd Wear Gibside, Rowlands Gill
Gibside is one of a few surviving 18th-century designed landscapes and with gardens, woodland and countryside to explore it’s a great place for walking and wildlife spotting. There are plenty of ways to play at Gibside too, from conquering Strawberry Castle play area and taking on the low ropes challenge, to building dens.
Souter Lighthouse & The Leas, Whitburn
Head into the lighthouse to discover how lighthouse keepers lived and helped to keep ships safe. Get hands-on with interactive activities and climb the 76 steps to the top of the tower. With the Foghorn Field and miles of open grassland outside, there’s also plenty of space to run and play. Little ones can borrow a balance bike for free during school holidays and weekends.
TEESSIDE Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough
Discover a green oasis in the heart of Middlesbrough. The Georgian mansion is surrounded by 240 acres of parkland and farmland with family-friendly walks to explore. There’s also a natural play area and rope walk for families to enjoy, while inside the house, mini train fans will find model railway layouts.
YORKSHIRE Beningbrough, York
Don’t miss the wilderness play
area where the littlest legs can enjoy the playhouse, hobby horses and crawl tunnel, while the more adventurous can tackle the slides and clamber stacks and swing high on the cantilever swing. There are accessible swing seats for those needing more support too. If you’re looking for space for a ball game, head to the south lawn… don’t forget your picnic blanket.
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley
Gardens, woodland and parkland await you at Wentworth Castle Gardens. It’s a great place for family walks, with many fascinating monuments to discover around the grounds. Walk alongside the resident deer in the parkland or find out what might be blooming in the conservatory. Don’t forget to stop off in the playground to run off the last bit of energy before heading home.
Nostell, Wakefield
Explore 300 acres of gardens at Nostell, with parkland, wildflower meadows, and woodland to enjoy. Young adventurers will love to jump, swing and slide in the adventure play area or build a woodland den in Joiners Wood. For those who like adventures on two wheels, the family-friendly cycle trails are a great way to explore the parkland, while the accessible paths are wheelchair and buggy-friendly.
Nunnington Hall, Helmsley
Enjoy a fun-filled day out at Nunnington. Spot some resident feathered friends in the bird watching area and help to make compost by feeding your picnic leftovers into the RolyPig. Elsewhere, head for the Lion’s Den play area to tackle a natural obstacle course. In the hall, curious little minds can dress up and learn about the 1940s.
East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley
Hidden among the yew trees, find the Discovery Garden for natural play. Create a messy, muddy delicacy in the mud pie kitchen, use the wheelbarrows to gather sticks for the bug hotel or put on a show in the puppet theatre. Practice balancing and climbing on the trim trail course, behind the tea-room.
Walk alongside the resident deer in the parkland or find out what might be blooming in the conservatory Enjoy the flora and fauna at Wentworth Castle Gardens