February Half Term with the National Trust

Have an activity packed half term this February with the National Trust!

If the children have been stuck indoors this winter, then February half term is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to get outside and create special memories at some of our places.

Across the country, many National Trust places will be hosting fun family events during the half term week, from trails and craft activities to building dens! You can even tick off some of your 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ with cooking on a campfire and wild art making on offer.

Here are the top family places for a fun day out this half term:

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
The household returns: half term trail, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 4pm
Join in some half term fun with trails and craft activities around the castle as the Bodiam household comes to life again after the winter. Our half term activities centre around the re-opening of the castle as it would have been in medieval times, when the family returned from their winter residence.
Normal admission charges apply: a small additional charge applies for activities.
For more information, please call 01580 830196

Carding Mill Valley and the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire
Kite chaos! 17 – 21 February, 11am– 3pm
Come along and make a kite to fly in the valley. Watch it soar over the heather-covered hills with stunning views of the Shropshire Hills – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Normal admission charges apply – ticket price £2 per item
Booking is not required
For more information, please call Emily Knight, 01694 725000

Cherryburn, Northumberland
Bewick’s boredom busters! 24, 25, 27 & 28 February, 11am – 3pm
Discover the birth place of Thomas Bewick, perhaps one of Northumberland’s greatest artists. Enjoy Cherryburn as Thomas Bewick did as a young lad with free outdoor adventures, including toasting marshmallows at the campfire!
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For further information, please call Cherryburn on 01661 843276

Claremont Landscape GardensClaremont Landscape Garden, Surrey
February half term children’s trail, 15 – 23 February, 10am – 3.30pm
Have fun in the outdoors this February half term. Join us for some activities suitable for children of all ages and guaranteed fun, whatever the weather! Get some fresh air as you walk around this green oasis in the heart of Surrey and enjoy the garden with our children’s trail during the half term holiday. Remember to look out for the thatched cottage, a Victorian refuge filled with fun toys, games, picnic rugs and dressing up clothes.
Normal admission charges apply – trail price 50 pence
Booking is not required
For further information, please call 01372 467806

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Winter wassailing craft activities, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 February, 12pm – 3pm
Help us prepare for our winter wassailing in the walled kitchen garden. Make a wassailing wand or a rosy red robin to hang in our orchards, then come back on Sunday 2nd March and help us bless our orchard trees with a traditional Wassailing ceremony. Everybody is welcome!
Normal admission charges apply
For more information, please call 01909 511092

Cotehele, Cornwall
50 things: make some wild art, 18 February, 11am – 3pm
Join us at Cotehele this half term and explore the Tudor house and gardens, perched high above the River Tamar. Get creative by gathering natural materials from the garden and woodlands to create some wild art. Not only will you have lots of fun, you’ll be able to tick off number 18 of your ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’. Why not create a visual diary and collage to remind you of your trip to Cotehele.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01579 351346

Cotehele, Cornwall
February half term fun, 18, 19 & 20 February 11am – 3pm
Join us at Cotehele this half term and explore the Tudor house and gardens, perched high above the River Tamar. Pull on your wellies and have some fun in the outdoors during half term. You’ll be able to tick off some of your ‘50 things’ with wild art making, cooking on a campfire and bush craft activities. For cooking on a campfire: bring your own food and help make a fire to cook a campfire feast for yourself.
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking not necessary for art & campfire
For more information, please call Cotehele 01579 351346 press 0

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
School holiday fun, 15 – 23 February, 10am – 4pm
Follow the clues around the abbey, water garden and medieval deer park to find out about the simple life of the monks who used to live here – could you have followed their strict rules? Then be a grand guest in the water gardens, following clues and finding out about the glamorous Georgian times when the gardens were made. Solve all the clues and you could win a prize!
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01765 608888

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Funky flying things, 15 – 22 February, 10am – 4pm
Get your craft hats on as we give you all the necessary materials to make your own pet dragonfly! Make it as simple or as fabulous as you like and whizz them home when you’re done.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01765 608888

Gibside, Tyne & Wear
Spring into spring: half term family fun, 17 – 21 February, 11am – 3pm
There’s lots going on this half term at Gibside, a stunning landscape park and nature reserve nestled on the edge of the city. Take part in the free springtime family activities and outdoor escapades every day of half term. Join us for explorer Monday, foodie Tuesday, wild Wednesday, adventure Thursday and fab Friday.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call Gibside 01207 541820

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
Bird box building, 11 – 13 February, 11am – 3pm
Bring all the family to Kedleston Hall this half term and enjoy this spectacular mansion and parkland. Make a bird box with our outdoors team for the feathered friends visiting your garden this spring. All materials provided.
Normal admission charges apply – £7.50 per bird box
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01332 84219

Knightshayes Court, Devon
Family fun whatever the weather, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 5pm
Knightshayes Court is a country estate on a grand scale. Enjoy the glorious gardens surrounding the gothic revival house over the February half term as we celebrate the great outdoors. Fancy a gander at golf? A dabble in croquet? Find out about the unusual sports linking to Knightshayes in our trail and take the chance to give a couple of them a go. Round everything off with a locally sourced lunch in our café, as we do our best to help you eat well, move more and live longer.
Normal admission charges apply – ticket price £2 per child
Booking is not required
For more information, please call Knightshayes 01884 254665

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village, Wiltshire
Dark sky discovery day, 17 February, 10.30am – 3.30pm
Lacock Abbey is looking to the stars this half term. Discover the wonderful world of space and star photography with experts from the Science and Technologies Facilities Council. This is a drop in event with lots of hands-on exploration and fun craft activities. Plus, meet Nick Howes, an award winning star photographer and find out how to look at the skies with Wiltshire Astronomical Society. This event is inspired by the ‘Earth and Sky’ photographic exhibition currently showing in the Fox Talbot Museum. The exhibition displays pictures of beautiful starry skies, close-ups of planets, and breath-taking images taken by the Hubble telescope.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call visitor reception on 01249 730459

Mottisfont, Hampshire
Wildlife week, 15 – 23 February, 10am – 11am
Join us this half term and learn about the hard work local groups do to look after our wildlife. See what you can discover amongst the crystal clear river, babbling brook and ancient trees. Pick up a trail from visitor reception and meet the wildlife experts each day in the stables.
Normal admission charges apply
For more information, please call 01794 344020

Newark Park, Gloucestershire
Snowdrop week, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23 February, 11am – 4pm
During this half term week come and have fun as a family. Newark has a fantastic show of snowdrops in a lovely setting. Take a walk through the glade to see spectacular snowdrop displays, then grab a hot drink and warm up with a walk around the house. With real snowdrops and other flowers carpeting our woodland, there will also be a snowdrop trail for children. The Cotswold estate has three marked trails to explore too. The house will be open, so come inside to warm up and enjoy our quirky interiors and spectacular views.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01793 817666

Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire
Half term fun, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 5pm
Discover Nunnington’s beasts among the Yorkshire manor house and gardens. Themed family activities will be happening throughout half term, including a children’s trail to keep all family members entertained.
Normal admission charges apply – ticket price £8.25 per adult
Booking is required
For more information, please call 01439 748283

Packwood House, West Midlands
Family fun days – February half term, 15 – 23 February, 10am – 3pm
Take the family to this Tudor house, park and gardens for half term. Pull on your wellies and head off on the welly walk through the woods – build a den, play hoop-la, splash in the puddles and have your own family adventure. Take a stroll around the lake and see if you can spot our Canada geese.
Normal admission charges apply
For more information, please call 01564 782024

Polesden-under-snow-©National-Trust-Images-Nick-MeersPolesden Lacey, Surrey
Half term activities, 15 – 23 February, 10am – 4pm
Come and have fun at Polesden Lacey this half term. The whole family can enjoy this country retreat with fine views across the rolling Surrey Hills. There’s a lot to explore with garden trails, adventure play area and loads of wide open spaces to run free.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £1 per child
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01372 452048

Rievaulx Terrace, North Yorkshire
Half-term fun!, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 3pm
Take part in our children’s trail amongst one of Yorkshire’s finest landscape gardens, tick off activities on the ’50 things’ list, take a walk through the woodland or discover our natural play area.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For further information, please call 01439 748283

Rufford Hall, Lancashire
Half term: tudor games, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 3.30pm
Bring your little lords and ladies to try their hand at Tudor games in the Great Hall. They can follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare as it was believed he performed here as a young lad.
Normal admission charges apply
For more information, please call 01704 821254

Saltram, Devon
February half-term, 15 – 23 February, 12pm – 3pm
Get out this half-term and explore Saltram – a magnificent Georgian house in the Devonshire countryside. Make the most of half-term and join us at for games, activities, trails and tours inside and out. See if you can spot the snowdrops that have just woken up from winter.
House activities at the weekends only.
Normal admission charges apply
For more information, please call 01752 333500

Studland Beach, Dorset
Go wild, 15 – 23 February, 10am – 3pm
Join us on Studland beach, a vast area of golden coastline and heathland for a self-led den building, wild art, orienteering and geocaching this half term. Get your ‘50 things’ list out and start ticking off those activities!
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call Studland Office 01929 450500

Stackpole, Pembrokeshire
February half term ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenge, 27 & 28 February, 11am – 1pm
There’s nothing quite like fresh air, exercise and family time spent on this beautiful stretch of coastline with sandy beaches, wooded valleys and lily ponds. You can’t beat the fun you’ll have in the great outdoors, creating memories that will last a lifetime. But sometimes convincing your kids to get outside can be a bit of a struggle. We want to encourage kids to get mucky, discover their wild side and most of all enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer! Join us on Stackpole court site to get your ‘50 Things’ challenge started.
Normal admission charges apply – ticket price £2 per child
Booking is not required
For more information, please call Stackpole Centre reception 01646 66142

Standen, West Sussex
Half term family fun, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 4pm
Come and join us for fun family trails and activities in our Arts and Crafts house and hillside garden.
Normal admission charges apply, small charge for some activities
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01342 323029

Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
February half term holiday fun! Gruesome graves tour, 17, 19 & 20 February, 2pm – 3.30pm
Explore an Anglo-Saxon royal burial site this half term. Join a special tour of the burial mounds for youngsters but don’t forget to bring an adult! Walk around the ancient land and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king. Have an adventure and meet the King lying in state surrounded by his treasure or dress up as an Anglo-Saxon for the day.
Normal admission charges apply
Book on the day
For more information, please call 01394 389700

Tudor Merchant’s House, Pembrokeshire
Half term Tudor fun, 15 February – 02 March, 11am – 2.30pm
If you’re visiting Tenby during half term week, why not call in and play our Tudor Family Fortunes game? Will you be the merchant or the scullion? Find out about the ups and downs of daily life for this busy Tudor family in the year 1500.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01834 842279

The Vyne, Hampshire
The big tree climb comes to The Vyne, 20 February, 11am – 5pm
Join us to climb some very big tree indeed! As part of ‘50 things to do before your 11 and 3/4’, we bring you The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. Two friendly instructors help all ages reach new heights at an oak tree deep in our woodland. They will teach you how to enter a tree’s canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, whilst being securely attached in a harness. Once at the top of the tree you will gain an experience which can’t be found on the ground and if you’re feeling brave you take the zip wire back down! Suitable for ages 6 to 100! For details about how we can adapt activities for those with special needs please contact adam@bigtreeclimbing.co.uk in advance.
Booking essential, please call 07584 088662 or please book online: http://thevynetreeclimbing.eventbrite.co.uk/20/02/2014
Ticket Price: £15 each

Tyntesfield, Avon
Fab Feb half term fun 2014, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 4pm
Follow our Fab Feb trail around the Victorian country house and gardens, take part in some family orienteering through the parkland and join in all of the outdoor activities on offer, there’s a lot to keep you busy! The trail runs every day during half term and costs £2.50 per trail (includes a prize).
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For further information, please call 01275 461 964

Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Family cookery school, 20 & 21 February, 9.30am – 1.30pm or 2pm – 5.30pm
Waddeston Manor is the ideal place to become a master chef this half term .Have fun creating a selection of goodies with our team of chefs. The course will include lunch or afternoon tea, all cookery ingredients and a goody box to take home. Suitable for children 7-11 years of age. Choose from two sessions 9.30am – 1.30pm – with lunch or 2pm – 5.30pm with afternoon tea.
Places limited to 15 adults and 15 children for each session – ticket price £20 per person
Booking advisable, please call 01296 653226

Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Knights’ and princesses’ week, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 4pm
Join us during February half term for knights and princesses week; make your own swords, crowns and tiaras in the coach house at the stables. Hunt for the hidden shields on our trail around the gardens.
Normal admission charges apply – ticket prices £2 per child
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01296 653226

Winchester City Mill, Hampshire
Terrible Tudor’s half term fun at Winchester City Mill, 15 – 23 February, 11am – 4pm
This year we are celebrating the 460 year anniversary since Queen Mary Tudor made a Royal gift of the City Mill to the people of Winchester. Family activities include – quizzes, trails and make and take sessions. Discover how our freshly milled stone-ground flour can be combined with a wide variety of locally grown produce to make Tudor period bread, cakes and other treats.
Normal admission charges apply
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01962 870057

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Den building, 23 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 4pm
Come along to a fun family event and have a go at building your own den in our woodland belts. Guided by our staff and volunteers utilise fallen branches, leaves and other natural materials to build your den, and then watch it be ‘tested’ at the end of the session.
Booking is essential, tickets £2.50 each
For more information, please call 0844 249 1895

Woolacombe, Mortehoe and Ilfracombe, Devon
Family bash & burn day, 18 February 11am – 3pm
Bring your kids and join the Woolacombe rangers at Mortehoe to clear the bushes which threaten the grassland flowers. We will then build a bonfire and use it to toast marshmallows. We will provide you with child friendly equipment and show you how to have fun whilst working safely. This is a great way for active families to let off a bit of steam during the half term break!
Booking is not required
For more information, please call 01271 870555

‘Big Fun with Little Trains’ at the National Railway Museum, York

Last Saturday my husband, five year old son and I visited the new half term event ‘Big Fun with Little Trains’. Alongside old favourites like the train themed storytelling, outdoor play area, and steam train rides, there were plenty of additional activities to enjoy. Appealing to a wide age range (adults included!) we excitedly raced other museum-goers on the Scalextric track, before building our own track in a Chuggington themed play area. On the other side of the museum our five year old then rode on a pedal train before building another out of Lego. Although we didn’t participate in any Meccano building (something that slightly older children seemed to be engaging with), there were plenty of seats and tables in this area, allowing a large number of children to participate.

big fun with little trains

Outside, and three train rides later (full and miniature sized steam trains, and a miniature diesel train) we ventured back inside for some food. Although hot food areas are normally situated in each of the two main halls, additional areas had been set up where cold food and snacks could be purchased, making queuing (thankfully) limited. A number of picnic benches both inside and out meant that it was possible to flexibly deal with the unpredictable eating demands of a small child.

Overall, the wide range of activities was impressive – appealing to younger and older children. The positioning of these activities all over the museum also provided the opportunity to browse at the permanent displays which should not be missed (our favourite was the Chinese steam train). Queuing on a busy Saturday was not an issue – either for food or these additional activities, suggesting a very well planned half term event. Clearly enhancing the existing exhibits, we are now really looking forward to the forthcoming Robot Wars event at the end of March.