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.
Polesden Lacey, Surrey – 01372 452048
Half term activities, 15 to 23 February, 10am to 4pm
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.
Rievaulx Terrace, North Yorkshire – 01439 748283
Half-term fun, 15 to 23 February, 11am to 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.
Rufford Hall, Lancashire – 01704 821254
Half term: tudor games, 15 to 23 February, 11am to 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.
Saltram, Devon – 01752 333500
February half-term, 15 to 23 February, 12pm to 3pm
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.
Studland Beach, Dorset – 01929 450500
Go wild, 15 to 23 February, 10am to 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.
Stackpole, Pembrokeshire – 01646 66142
"50 Things to do before you're 11¾’"challenge, 27 & 28 February, 11am to 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.
Standen, West Sussex – 01342 323029
Family fun, 15 to 23 February, 11am to 4pm
Fun family trails and activities in our Arts and Crafts house and hillside garden.
Normal admission charges apply, small charge for some activities.
Sutton Hoo, Suffolk – 01394 389700
Gruesome graves tour, 17, 19 & 20 February, 2pm to 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.
Tudor Merchant's House, Pembrokeshire – 01834 842279
Tudor fun, 15 February to 02 March, 11am to 2.30pm
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.
The Vyne, Hampshire – 07584 088662
The big tree climb comes to The Vyne, 20 February, 11am to 5pm
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 six 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. Ticket Price: £15 each
Tyntesfield, Avon – 01275 461 964
Fab Feb half term fun 2014, 15 to 23 February, 11am to 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.
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire – 01296 653226
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.
Places limited to 15 adults and 15 children for each session – ticket price £20 per person.
Booking advisable.
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire – 01296 653226
Knights' and princesses' week, 15 to 23 February, 11am to 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.
Winchester City Mill, Hampshire – 01962 870057
Terrible Tudor's, 15 to 23 February, 11am to 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.
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire – 0844 249 1895
Den building, 23 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 4pm
Fun family event – 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.
Woolacombe, Mortehoe and Ilfracombe, Devon – 01271 870555
Family bash & burn day, 18 February 11am to 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.