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.
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.
Further afeild...
Barrington Court
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/barrington-court
Barrington Court Revival programme
Daily from 3 Jun. 10am – 5pm
NEW History Shed
Take a seat with key characters from Barrington Court’s history and debate the design decisions
NEW Design Shed
Experience the ambition of Col. Lyle’s Barrington in this playful interactive installation
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Make and Take – Play Build Dream at Barrington Court with Woodland Tribe
Sun 16, Sun 23 July, Sun 6 & Sun 13 August. 3.30 – 5pm
On Sunday afternoons at Barrington Court, join constructive play experts Woodland Tribe in getting creative at a "make and take" session in which you can take your mini masterpieces home with you. Each session will have a different craft theme which links to Barrington Court's Big Build with Woodland Tribe. Makers Meadow will be transformed into an adventure playground built by children inspired by Colonel Lyle’s model estate. This unique hands-on build created by children will grow and evolve during July and August.
Price: Child £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
The Big Build – Play Build Dream at Barrington Court with Woodland Tribe
Various dates 15 July to 13 August. 10 – 11.30am, 11.30am – 1pm, 3.30 – 5pm
Each week, with the help of constructive play experts from Woodland Tribe, a new element of the estate will be created. Using huge quantities of recycled wood, reusing materials already on site and real tools. Makers Meadow will be transformed into an adventure playground built by children and inspired by Colonel Lyle’s model estate. This unique hands on build created by children will grow and evolve during July and August.
Price: Child £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Dunster Castle
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill
Taunton Garrison Weekend
Sat 17, Sun 18 Jun, Sat 8, Sun 9 Jul. 10am – 4pm
Members of the Taunton Garrison will be back at Dunster Castle on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June and Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July. A living history camp will be set up on the forecourt of the castle for visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of life during the English Civil War. Discover what the camp inhabitants ate, how they dressed and learn about the weapons they used to attack and defend. The day includes firing of the garrison's muskets during weapon demonstrations plus the opportunity for children to take part in a pike drill - will they be good enough to be recruited? Please note that the musket demonstrations will include loud noises that may not be suitable for some visitors and dogs.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Summer Trail
Daily from 22 Jul. 10am - 4pm
Join Otter and her woodland friends to work out what has caused the water wheels to stop turning at the mill. Families can spot our special knitted creatures keeping busy in the gardens then answer the questions to help Otter solve the mystery.
Price: £3 per trail, including prize (normal admission applies)
Opera Evening at Dunster Castle
Thu 27 Jul, 6.30 - 9pm
Wild Arts bring their signature opera evening to the beautiful gardens at Dunster Castle. Bring your picnics and enjoy a magical summer's evening of opera highlights.Bring your chair and picnic and settle down for an evening of your favourite opera classics, all sung by the stars of tomorrow and played by a stunning string quintet.
Price: £28 Adult / £10 Under 18s. Booking essential 01643 821314.
Living History camp
Tue 1, Wed 2 & Tue 16 Aug. 10am – 3pm
A living history camp will be set up on the forecourt of the castle for visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of life during the English Civil War. Discover what the camp inhabitants ate, how they dressed and learn about the weapons they used to attack and defend. The day includes firing of muskets during weapon demonstrations and a children's pike drill. Please note that the musket demonstrations will include loud noises that may not be suitable for some visitors and dogs.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Fyne Court
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/fyne-court
Outdoor Theatre, The Wizard of Oz
Sun 25 Jun. 6 – 8.30pm
A brand new performance from Immersion theatre, including music, dazzling costumes and audience interaction. Join Dorothy on her magical adventure while enjoying the wonderful surroundings of the Fyne Court lawn. Everyone welcome, including well behaved dogs. Children of all ages welcome. Reminder that parking is not included in the ticket price so please bring your membership card or purchase a ticket at the machine.
Price: Adult £15 / Child £5. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Outdoor Theatre, Much Ado About Nothing
Thu 13 Jul. 6 – 8.30pm
Journey to Messina with the thespians and delight in this wonderful Shakespearean comedy in the grounds of Fyne Court. Everyone welcome including families and well behaved dogs. This performance includes the parking charge so there is no need to pay in the car park, however we'd appreciate you scanning your membership card if you have one.
Price: £15. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
A Night at the Opera at Fyne Court
Sat 22 Jul. 6 – 8.30pm
Join The Bluebirds for 'A Night at the Opera' at Fyne Court. This will be a feast of opera classics with a unique popular twist. The Bluebirds bring you a night of great classical music in the beautiful setting of Fyne Court. A perfect setting for a summer evening in the Music Hall; enjoy a glass of wine in the beautiful surroundings of the lawn of Fyne Court. Expect uplifting music with a bit of glitz and glamour. Well behaved dogs are welcome, we recommend children above 16. A reminder that our car parking charges will be in place as usual, so please bring your membership card or purchase a car parking ticket in the machine.
Price: £15. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Outdoor Theatre, Hound of the Baskervilles
Sat 26 Aug. 5 – 7.30pm
Following the death of Sir Charles Baskerville in mysterious circumstances, the family doctor James Mortimer comes to seek the help of world famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty assistant Dr Watson in ensuring the safety of the last of the family line as he moves into his ancestral home on Dartmoor. Can Holmes and Watson get to the bottom of the legend of the fiendish hound that is said to haunt the Baskerville family before it is too late? We recommend children upwards of 14, well behaved dogs welcome. A reminder that car parking charges will be in place as usual for the performance so please either bring your membership card or purchase a car parking ticket at the machine.
Price: £15. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Lytes Cary Manor
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/lytes-cary-manor
Silent Space in the Vase Garden
Daily. 10am – 5pm
Relax and enjoy the surrounding nature in tranquil peaceful space.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Markets at Lytes Cary Manor
First Sat & Sun in Jun, Jul & Aug 10am - 4pm
Held in the historic barns and courtyard areas. The Lytes Cary market showcases a variety of products that have been crafted by neighbouring artists.
Price: Free (normal admission applies if visitng house, garden or estate). Booking not required.
Bumblebee safari
Sun 9 Jul. 11am – 12.30pm
Go on a bumblebee safari. Take a guided walk around the estate, catch and look at the different bumblebee species up close, learning how to identify each species, and try to find the rare Shrill Carder Bumblebee. Suitable for adults and children aged 6+ Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note, the safari may be cancelled or delayed in the event of rain at the scheduled start time. The safari will be through grasses and field margins.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking essential 01458 224 471.
Come out to Play at Lytes Cary Manor
Daily. 10am-4pm
Borrow an activity pack from the Welcome Trailer and play some traditional families games on the wider Lytes Cary Estate. Who is the most active?
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Montacute House
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/montacute-house
Come out and play! On our Cedar Lawn
Daily from Sat 22 Jul. 10am – 4.30pm
Once again you and your families will be able to enjoy many games and activities on our beautiful Cedar Lawn. Play a game of croquet, boules, Kubb (find out!!) quoits, connect 4, giant Jenga, mini wheelbarrow racing and more. Or just run around like crazy!
Price: Free (normal admission applies.) Booking not required.
Have a go – Longbow Archery
Every Tue & Wed from 25 Jul. 10.30 am – 4pm
One again we have the Wessex Longbowmen returning to Montacute giving you a chance to test your skills in firing these ancient weapons. They will also have on display a whole host of Tudor reproduction weapons and other paraphernalia that will fascinate and educate the young and old alike.
Price: £4 to fire 6 arrows (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Drop in wood crafting workshops
Every Thu, Fri & Sat from 27 Jul. 10.30am – 4.30pm
Meet Zac Newham, a talented artist who works in wood is returning to Montacute House over the summer holidays. Get your hands on the tools and make wooden traditional pieces to take home. Prices start from £5 all using local estate timber. Grab a pair of gloves and get creative using tools and materials used in the 17th-century.
Price: Prices start from £5 (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Tintinhull Garden
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/tintinhull-garden
Silent Space in the Pool Garden
Every Wed. 1.30-4pm
Relax and enjoy the surrounding nature in tranquil peaceful space.
Price: Free (normal admission applies.) Booking not required.
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.
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
