08 Jun Discover a Summer of Play with the National Trust
Make the most of the longer days, warmer weather, and quality time together as a family with the National Trust’s Summer of Play.
Discover a whole host of ways to play, with events, activities, games, and crafts on offer from the National Trust this summer. Get active and have a go at sports and garden games, with archery, croquet, athletics, ball sports and plenty more to spark your competitive side. Explore and play in nature with wild art, bug-hunting, and pond dipping, enjoy performance play with storytelling and dress-up sessions and get crafty with art workshops and craft making. With a range of activities and events at each National Trust place, there’s something to make everyone’s summer day out special.
Here we’ve rounded up some of the best and most exciting National Trust events and activities to keep the whole family busy this summer.
Paycockes House & Grange Barn
• Tudor weekend & Craft Fayre | 17 & 18 June | Free (admission applies)
• St George and the Dragon – A Mummers’ Play | 2 July | Free
Enjoy simple summer pleasures as a family at Paycocke’s House and Grange Barn, both set in the quaint village of Coggeshall. Entry to the gardens at Paycocke’s is free, and the cottage garden is a haven for little ones to picnic, explore and play. Grab a coffee, cream tea or sweet treat from the tea-room, and enjoy garden games on the lawn. History fans will love the Guided Experience of the house, a Tudor merchant’s home brimming with stories. Or for the full immersive experience, join us and the Companye of Merrie Folke for our Tudor weekend as they bring the Tudor history of Paycocke’s to life. On 2 July gather around, get comfy and enjoy the magic of a medieval mummers’ play in the company of the Mayflower Morris Men, with a cast of twelve actors and musicians. Booking is essential for Guided Experiences at Paycocke’s, for more information and to book, head to our website:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/paycockes-house-and-garden
Hatfield Forest
• Get Hooked junior fishing | Dates in July, August & September available | £5 per child (6 – 16)
• Summer of play | 22 July – 5 September | Free (admission applies)
An ancient royal hunting forest and National Nature Reserve, Hatfield Forest is the perfect place for families to explore the outdoors and get closer to nature. Enjoy a summer adventure at Hatfield Forest and create some great family memories. Take a summer stroll along the boardwalk and explore within the trees as you look out for the resident squirrels, birds and minibeasts. Pack a picnic and settle down by the lake, borrowing one of our outdoor games for an afternoon’s play. Our rowing boats return this summer, discover the picturesque lake on the water as you paddle your way around.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfield-forest
