Make the most of the longer days, warmer weather, and quality time together as a family with the National Trust’s Summer of Play sponsored by Starling Bank.
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 in Norfolk to keep the whole family busy this summer.
Blakeney National Nature Reserve and Morston Quay
As you explore the beautiful Norfolk Coastal landscape, listen out for the sound of songbirds on Friary Hills, the crying call of birds of prey soaring in the sky and watch the wading birds on Blakeney Freshes. Out on Blakeney Point look out for various sea birds and listen to their squawking calls. Use your sense of touch to discover what seaweed and driftwood feel like at Blakeney Point, and see what textures you can find in the salt marsh plants and pools on a visit to Stiffkey and Morston. The café and information centre will be open daily at Morston Quay. Find out more about the wildlife and conservation with the Meet the Ranger talks at 9.30am – 11.30am on 23 July, or 11am – 1pm on 23 August 23. The whole family are welcome at the sunset picnic by the coast between 4pm – 7.30pm on Monday 19 June.
Blickling Estate
Come out and Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 5pm
Blickling Estate is the perfect setting for days out full of fun and adventure. Create, explore, move, wonder, make-believe – try everything from building dens and giant nests as you discover five play stations nestled in the woodland and parkland. Head into the gardens to discover stacks of possibilities to play all day – who can’t resist pushing a wheelbarrow around the Walled Garden and digging in the play patch?
Join a game of cricket on National Play Day, Wednesday 2 August when Norfolk Cricket will be on hand share their tips and tricks.
Ever dreamed of being on stage? Now’s your chance to get dressed up to perform on the mini stage! After oodles of play, listen to a storyteller tell a tale in a quiet space or head to The Stables, Farmyard or Muddy Boots cafés for ice-creams, refreshing drinks and light meals. Summer of Play activities are free (normal admission applies), so if you don’t manage to try them all on your first visit, you can come back again and again.
Sensational portraits at Blickling Hall, 22 July – 3 September, 11am – 4pm
Use your senses of touch, smell and hearing to learn about five of the portraits on display in the House and the lives these characters led here at Blickling. Discover what the silk and lace from Lady Constance’s dress feels like to touch. Smell the scent boxes to learn who enjoyed eating chocolate, marzipan and spiced wine? Listen to the sound of rapiers clashing and find out who died in a duel on Cawston Heath.
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate
Come out and Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 4.30pm
Frolic at Felbrigg this summer with free to use sports equipment and activities filling the meadow area. Keep badminton shuttlecocks afloat, take on a 3-legged race and aim for bullseye with timetabled guided archery. After a whirlwind of activity re-fuel with a picnic in the grounds before heading to the Great Wood with a trusty tracker pack. Here you will discover the Ice House and ideal plots for den building.
Back at the 17th century Hall, imagine what it might have been like to have lived or worked in this grand family home, with sensory packs available to borrow. Don’t forget to visit the Walled Garden filled with fruits and vegetables growing and hens clucking or walk to the Lake to see who can spot the biggest dragonfly! All activities are included with general admission to site. No booking required. National Trust members free.
Horsey Windpump
Come out and Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 4.30pm
Head to Horsey Windpump for a day of fun exploring this iconic Broadland building and taking part in fun activities. Pick up a Wildlife Spotter sheet and look out on social channels for dates that rangers will provide wild craft activities. Make a day of it and head out on the Horsey Beach and village circular walk. Look out for marsh harriers and buzzards soaring overhead, and if you’re lucky, the possibility of a red kite or two. Various little birds are filling the atmosphere with their chirpy songs and listen out for the distinctive deep, croaky call of the crane, which is generally often heard rather than seen. Combine all of this with a family picnic at the sunset picnic by the Broads between 4pm – 7pm on Thursday 22 June.
Oxburgh Estate
Come out and Play, 22 July – 5 September, 9.30am – 5pm
Come out and play at Oxburgh Estate this summer holiday. Bursting with energy, we have an activity packed day suitable for the whole family. Get, set, go with the sports day races. Will you end up champion holding the winner’s trophy? Test out your badminton skills before a game of giant chess. Top up those energy levels with a refreshing scooped ice-cream and relax on a deck chair in the beautiful gardens. Finish your day playing traditional lawn games such as croquet, quoits and giant Jenga. All activities are included with general admission to site. No booking required. National Trust members free.
Sheringham Park
Come out and Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 4.30pm
Spend the day at Sheringham Park this summer. The events field is the place for active fun with free to use croquet, footballs, hula hoops and timetabled guided archery. Pack a picnic and head off on buggy friendly paths or find two viewing towers nestled in the gardens, perfect for games of I Spy. Burn off more energy before lunch with a climb up the Gazebo tower to admire sweeping coastal views and feel the breeze in your hair. Nature detectives can borrow a tracker pack and visit the dog-free Bower Garden to see what can be found in the bug hotel and wildlife pond. All activities are free, no booking required.
