Across Somerset, Bath and Bristol, National Trust places are alive with the promise of warm summer days, lazy weekend picnics and trips out with family and friends. There’s loads on offer this season, from adventure weekends to art exhibitions and guided walks to outdoor theatre shows.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this summer, please check property website for opening days and times:
Bath Assembly Rooms
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/bath-assembly-rooms
Assemble in the Forest by the Forest of Imagination
Every weekend from Fri 16 Jun to Sun 9 Jul. 10am – 4pm
Explore 'Assemble in the Forest' on the ground floor of the Assembly Rooms during June and July. Linking art, nature and the social life of the city by bringing nature inside and distinctive outdoor installations. Come together and celebrate the beauty and biodiversity of Bath, the event shines a light on the importance of forests across the world and gives people the opportunity to respond to the climate emergency with imaginative and creative solutions.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
Cheddar Gorge
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/cheddar-gorg
Top of the Gorge Adventure Weekend
Fri 9 – Sun 11 Jun.
A celebration of getting active in the Mendip Hills, with a variety of events running across the weekend plus overnight camping. Our team of rangers will be hosting activities including nature-themed walks, archery and Land Rover safaris.
Trail running, mountain biking, road cycling and yoga are being delivered by our wonderful event partners who are specialists in their fields. These activities plus camping must be pre-booked.
Find out more and book online: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/cheddar-gorge/top-of-the-gorge
Dyrham Park
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/dyrham-park
Nature Tots at Old Lodge
Every Tue from 6 Jun to 11 Jul. 10.45 – 11.45am
The popular session for pre-schoolers is back with nature activities each Tuesday morning in term time. Sessions will usually include a song, story, craft and a game.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Plant fayres
Fri 21, Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jul. 11am – 5pm
Get ready for the summer with seasonal plants and decorative garden products for sale at Visitor Reception. Gardening demonstrations and tours on selected days are also planned.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Nature explorer sessions
Every Tue & Thu from 25 Jul – 29 Aug. 11am & 1.30pm
A chance for families to explore the site with expert outdoor learning assistants. Have a go at fun activities such as hunting for bugs, exploring trees and grass and identifying different plants. Sessions might include pond dipping with nets and there may even be a chance to create your own wild art.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Summer of Play
Daily from Sat 22 Jul. 10am - 5pm, last entry 4pm
No matter what your age come and enjoy some playful activities at Dyrham Park during the school holidays. What will you do first? Maybe, you'll create a culinary masterpiece in the mud kitchen at Old Lodge? Or perhaps make your own chalk work of art on big boards or tablecloths?
Down by the house on the grass you can get active with some sports inspired by local 17th-century enthusiast Robert Dover’s ‘Olimpick’ games, with running and skipping races on the lawn, bean bag throwing challenges, balance boards and beams. How about a hula hoop challenge? Top it off with a picture on the podium.
After all that exertion, you might want to wander into the more peaceful orchard area for some family fun with traditional games such as giant jenga, quoits and dominoes. There’s something for everyone this summer.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Guided parkland walks
On selected days at 10.30am and 1.30pm (see website)
An expert volunteer guide will lead you around the 270 acres of parkland to learn more about the site's history, archaeology, management and significance.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Guided garden walks
On selected weekdays at 11.30am and 2pm (see website)
Want to find out more about Dyrham's garden? Why not join an expert volunteer guide on a tour? During the tours, you can discover the best of the seasonal blooms, learn about the garden’s history and find out about upcoming projects.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
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Prior Park
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/prior-park-landscape-garden
30th anniversary celebrations at Prior Park
Daily to Fri 14 Jul. 10am – 5pm
Come and explore the garden and discover pictures showing the transformation of Prior Park over the last 30 years. In 1993 the National Trust started work to restore Ralph Allen's garden as it would have been in 1764. First opening to visitor in 1996 when paths were in place and the lakes cleared. Since then, the dam has undergone major restoration, the Wilderness returned to its thick green splendour and features such as the Gothic Temple have been installed. Discover the pictures showing what certain areas of the garden once looked like and enjoy how they look today.
Price: Free (normal admission applies.) Booking not required.
Festival of Archaeology in the Pasture at Prior Park
Weekdays from Mon 17 to Fri 28 Jul. 10am – 3pm
Prior Park will host a team of archaeology volunteers from the National Trust and Bath and Counties Archaeology Trust to discover hidden water features in the Pasture. They hope to find evidence of the Bason of Water shown in a picture in 1750 and a cascade from 1758 along with other water features such as culverts. See the dig in action and speak to the volunteers to see what is discovered as part of the Festival of Archaeology fortnight.
Price: Free (normal admission applies.) Booking not required.
Tyntesfield
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/tyntesfield
Botanical lino printing on linen napkins
Fri 9 Jun. 10.30am – 1.30pm
Come and enjoy the grounds of Tyntesfield and take inspiration from the foliage and flowers at this time of year. In this workshop you will learn how to make a linocut and print your designs onto four linen napkins with Gemma Lane From Green Fox Workshops.
Price: £60. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Festival of Archaeology
Sat 15 Jul – Sun 30 Jul. 10am – 6pm
Learn about the history of the conservatory, why it is no longer at Tyntesfield and the discoveries made during an archaeological dig on the site in 2013.
Price: This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Summer of Play with the National Trust
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/family-friendly
From 21 July 2023
Discover a world of adventure and play this summer across many National Trust places in the South West. There'll be lots of fun for you and your family from lawn games, such as quoits and skittles, to den-building, arts and crafts to pop up sports days, costumes and role play to giant Jenga, there is something for everyone.
Price: Free, normal admission prices apply. Booking not required.
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