Around 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 going on this season from garden tours and wellbeing walks to children’s play sessions and outdoor theatre.
Image: Dyrham Park, credit Annapurna Mellor
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 the relevant property's website for opening days and times:
Avebury
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury
Guided tour of Avebury Manor Garden
25 June, 16 July & 20 August. 10-11.30am
Join a tour of the beautiful Avebury Manor Garden with Head Gardener Garry to learn about seasonal highlights, a varied history, and exciting new developments in the historic garden rooms.
Price: £10pp. Booking required.
Outdoor theatre: King Arthur and the Holy Fail
21 & 22 August. 5.30-8.30pm
The Three Inch fools present an epic night of medieval mayhem in Avebury Manor Garden.
Price: See website for details. Booking required.
In the Blink of An Eye - An exhibition of landscapes
June-12 July. 10am-5pm
Working in soft pastel, artist Amy Shuckburgh uses bold colour and energetic strokes to depict woods, streams, barrows and standing stones. Her dynamic mark-making gives each scene a feeling of movement and animation.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Dyrham Park
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/dyrham-park
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Dyrham Park
June – 2 September. 10am-5pm
Calling Pokémon fans new and old! Get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the parkland for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers and complete your own challenges.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Nature tots at Old Lodge
Every Tuesday, June-July (term time only). 10.45-11.45am
The popular parkland session for pre-schoolers runs on Tuesday mornings with nature-themed activities.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Exhibition: Journeys - Asafo flags from the Karun Thakar collection at Dyrham Park
June-October. 11.30am-3pm
The National Trust is partnering with renowned collector, author, and curator Karun Thakar with three exhibitions at Dyrham Park, Osterley Park and House and Blickling Estate.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Summer of Play at Dyrham Park
22 July-2 September. 10am-5pm
Drop in this summer for activities across the 270-acre site. There will be a festival-feel with imaginative, performance and creative play at Old Lodge, and a mini-maze, games and challenges planned down by the house. Nature explorer, art and sports activities running each week.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Outdoor theatre: Othello presented by The Lord Chamberlain's Men
24 & 25 July. 6.30-9pm
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them this summer for one of Shakespeare's most captivating and thrilling shows, Othello.
Price: £20 per adult & £13 per child. Booking required.
Lacock
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lacock
Lacock by Martin Parr: Photography Exhibition
27 June-31 December. 10am-5pm
A vivid portrait of contemporary Britain as experienced through a single Wiltshire village. Photographs created by renowned British photographer, Martin Parr (1952-2025).
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Newark Park
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/newark-park
Art in Action with Yasmin Jones
12-17 June. 11am-4pm
Come along to Newark Park to see our artist in residence complete watercolour artwork before your very eyes.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Jazz trio at Newark Park
21 June. 1.30-3pm
A modern trio playing classic jazz and original compositions. Make a day of it, exploring the estate walks or learning more about the history of the house with music creating a soundtrack to your visit.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Classic Cars at Newark Park
12 July. 10am-4pm
Enjoy a display of pre-war and classic cars from the Bristol Austin 7 club on the lawn.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Summer of Play: Play through the ages
21 July-3 September. 10am-4.30pm
Step into a summer of timeless fun with Play Through the Ages! Travel from the Tudor courts to the 1970s as you discover and try classic games enjoyed across history.
Price: Free events (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Outdoor Theatre: Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles
1 August. 6.30-8.30pm
How can one show possibly contain so much action and adventure? Elementary, my dear!
Price: £16 per adult & £10 per child. Booking required.
Outdoor theatre: Twelfth Night
6 August. 6.30-8.30pm
Come and join The Pantaloons for their production of Twelfth Night on the lawns at Newark Park with the historic house as their background.
Price: £16 per adult & £10 per child. Booking required.
Bug hotel making at Newark Park
19 & 20 August. 11am-4pm
Looking to invite some bugs into your garden? Why not build them a hotel?
Price: £7 per ticket (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Prior Park Landscape Garden
www.nationatrust.org.uk/prior-park-landscape-garden
Summer evening watercolours at Prior Park
13 July, 5.15-6.45pm
An art session inspired by the season. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the garden after visitors have gone. Begin with a short walk around the lakes for inspiration, followed by an art session to create a contemporary piece with guidance from our experience volunteer leader. Finish up with a drink and a bake from the Tea Cabin, included in the price
Price: £20 per ticket (no admission charge). Booking required.
Festival of Archaeology at Prior Park
18 July – 1 August
Prior Park takes part once again the the Festival of Archaeology, with walks and information on previous digs in the Pasture. More information to come.
Price: Free event (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Late night opening at Prior Park: celebrate 30 years of National Trust care
18 July, 5.30-8pm
Prior Park will be opening its gates for a summer evening of celebration. Saturday 18 July marks 30 years of Prior Park Landscape Garden being open to visitors under the National Trust’s care. Celebrations will take place in the lower part of the garden and will involve food and music. All ages welcome.
Price: £5 for non-member adults, £2.50 for non-member children (under 5s free), free for members (no admission charge). Booking essential.
Summer of Play at Prior Park
20 July – 6 September
Summer of Play returns to Prior Park with more fun outdoor activities for the children to discover. Lawn games available in the Cabinet near the top of the garden, and by the Tea Cabin at the bottom of the garden. Find the play library by the Tea Cabin, perfect to pop in for a refreshing drink while your little ones explore the games on offer.
Price: Free event (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Festival of Archaeology at Prior Park, guided walks
22 July 11am, 28 July 2.30pm
As part of the Festival of Archaeology at Prior Park, visitors can join a guided walk from the lead archaeologist behind recent digs at Prior Park.
Price: Free event (normal admission applies). Booking required.
Stourhead
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead
Walks & Talks tours
June-August. 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Accompany one of Stourhead's knowledgeable volunteers on the original route taken by the Hoare family and their guests, and learn the history of this fascinating place.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Wellbeing walk
Tuesdays & Thursdays (June-December). 1.45-3.45pm
Meet new people and join a gentle health and wellbeing walk in beautiful surroundings. Enjoy the social atmosphere and make a connection with nature.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
'Drawn to Trees' Trail
1 June – 31 August, 9.30-4.30pm
Step into the landscape garden and discover Drawn to Trees, a new outdoor trail created in collaboration with artist Luke Adam Hawker, inspired by his evocative book The Last Tree: A Seed of Hope.
Each stop along the trail showcases one of seventeen trees that has inspired myth, folklore or quiet reflection across cultures and centuries, each hand‑selected for their beauty, historical significance and the stories that surround them.
Drawn to trees is a celebration of our enduring fascination with trees and a reminder of how deeply we are rooted in the natural world.
Price: £2 per trail booklet (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Drawn to Trees: Tree Zodiac exhibition
1 June – 31 August, 9.30-4.30pm
Inspired by an ancient Celtic zodiac rooted in the thirteen lunar months, each associated with a different tree or plant, Luke Adam Hawker has created a series of thirteen intricate etchings that explore personality traits drawn from the character and symbolism of each species.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Drawn to Trees: Artist talk and book signing with Luke Adam Hawker
17 June. 11am-12.15pm
Listen to Luke’s inspiring personal story, love of nature, and journey in writing his graphic novels ‘Together’ and ‘The Last Tree: A Seed of Hope’. Followed by book-signing.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Trust 10
28 June, 26 July & 23 August. 9-11am
Stourhead’s Trust10 10k trail run is a challenging, multi-terrain run involving some public roads. Beginning and ending at Stourhead house, the trail takes in pasture, woodland and an Iron age hillfort with King Alfred’s Tower marking the mid-way point.
Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Wider estate walks
26 June, 31 July & 28 August. 11am-1pm
Stretch your legs on a guided walk around Stourhead's wider estate and enjoy routes that highlight the beauty of each season.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Outdoor Cinema: Dirty Dancing
3 July. 7.30-9.15pm
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, romance, and legendary dance moves as Dirty Dancing lights up the big screen under the stars.
Sing along to the iconic soundtrack, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy this classic movie, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, in a magical outdoor cinema setting.
Price: Standard tickets from £17.37. Booking required.
Summer of Play
4 July – 31 August. 10am-4pm
Summer of Play is back! Join us throughout July and August for endless fun at the Stableyard and the Summer of Play Meadow. Scramble up the mighty straw castle, aim for gold at the archery range, or race through the meadow maze to find the hidden camp.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Outdoor Cinema: EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
4 July. 7.30-9.15pm
Featuring incredible performances from across Elvis’ legendary career, this spectacular show brings together his greatest hits, iconic stage presence, and the energy that made him a global phenomenon.
Price: £17.37 (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Outdoor cinema: Pride & Prejudice
5 July. 6.30-8.45pm
This beloved adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is filled with wit, drama, and sweeping romance.
Soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy this timeless love story on the big screen in a truly unforgettable setting.
Price: Standard tickets from £17.37. Booking required.
Theatre workshop: The Sword in the Stone
2 August. 3-3.30pm
Come and have some fun with the actors in a drama workshop before the performance where you will learn some of the songs from the show and find out more about the characters before you settle down to watch the play as a family.
Price: £6 per child. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre: The Sword in the Stone
2 August. 4.30-6.30pm
Cambridge Touring Productions present the classic tale The Sword in the stone. This is a matinee performance aimed at children between 5 and 10 years old.
Young Wart dreams of becoming a squire, while his childhood friend Morgan sets her sights on fame and fortune. As they travel to the Tournament in London, they meet a host of colourful characters who guide them through strange challenges and teach them lasting lessons about friendship, courage, and finding their way in the world.
Price: £17.50 per adult & £14.50 per child. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre: King Arthur and the Holy Fail
12 August. 7-9pm
In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero - waiting in the wings - who went by the name of Arthur. But when Camelot is rocked to its core by a tragic - and frankly improbable - incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime.
Price: £23.88 per adult & £13.16 per child. Booking required.
Tyntesfield
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/tyntesfield
Reviving Gothic: Contemporary art at Tyntesfield
1 June-31 July. 10.30am-3.30pm
Seven contemporary artists present newly commissioned works inspired by the Gothic heritage of Tyntesfield. Tracing Gothic’s evolution from its origins in twelfth-century France through its Romantic and Victorian revivals, the exhibition highlights how the style has continually adapted to reflect changing beliefs and cultural values.
Rooted in the Gothic Revival vision of the Gibbs family, Tyntesfield provides a rich historical backdrop for this exploration. The exhibition reimagines Gothic as a dynamic and evolving creative language, with artworks that engage themes of emotion, imagination, identity, and the darker aspects of human experience.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). No booking required.
Summer of Play at Tyntesfield
18 July – 6 September
Get ready for a season of adventure at Tyntesfield with our Summer of Play. Families can explore the estate as it transforms into a playful outdoor experience, with activities and games dotted across the gardens and grounds.
Whether you’re discovering hidden corners, taking on new challenges, or simply relaxing in the sunshine, Summer of Play offers the perfect way to make the most of a day out together.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). No booking needed.
Make a small rustic bench in a day
21 June. 10am-4pm
Learn how to craft a small rustic bench with the Somerset Bodgers in this one day course
Price: £95 per person (16 yrs and over). Booking required.
Introduction to Green Woodworking
16 August. 10am-4pm
This one day course takes you through the basics of Pole lathe turning and green woodworking.
Price: £80 per person (16 yrs and over). Booking required.
Bath Assembly Rooms
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/bath-assembly-rooms
Connection Café
3 July & 7 August. 10.30am-12.30pm
Through our work with local communities, we're thrilled to be continuing the series of Connection Cafés. This is a chance for local people in Bath to enjoy a free tea, coffee and snack, and a chance to meet new people. There will be an interactive session at each café that’s inspired by the historic Bath Assembly Rooms.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Oliver Messel at Bath Assembly Rooms – a talk at BRLSI
5 June. 7.30 – 9pm
Join Dr Emily Roy, Project Curator at Bath Assembly Rooms as she explores the life of Oliver Messel – the artist, architect, theatre and interior designer, and an important figure in LGBTQIA+ history. After WWII, Messel was commissioned to design new interiors at Bath Assembly Rooms and the talk will cover his time in Bath. Part of Queer Bath, hosted at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI).
Price: Tickets from £4. Booking required.
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