From wintery adventures in nature, outdoor trails and welly wanders, to seasonally inspired crafts, activities and games, there are lots of events and activities on offer this February half term with the National Trust.
Whether you’re exploring woodland, gardens and landscapes as a family on cold, crisp winter days, or looking for indoor activities and a warming lunch to escape from the rain, whatever the weather the National Trust has something to entertain you and your family.
Here’s a round-up of what’s on in Norfolk this half term. To plan your adventure, visit their website.
Blickling Estate
This February half term, keep your little explorers busy on a family day out with activities across Blickling Estate. The House is open daily between 11am-3pm over the half term holiday. Can you spot where the Blickling Bull is hiding in each room? On Tuesday 20 and Thursday 22 February, there is an opportunity to meet the team carefully cleaning the glass chandelier in one of the state rooms. Learn about the cleaning process, find out about the structure of the chandelier and feel free to ask any questions!
Outside in the gardens, soak up the season with an Early Spring Explorers spotter sheet. Stop and look, listen, smell, touch and play as you take in the West Garden before heading to the Orangery Garden to discover winter-flowering hellebores and scented shrubs.
Head further afield and adventure across the estate on two wheels. Cycle hire is open 10am-3pm from 21-25 February, with a range of bikes available for all the family. If walking is more your thing, pick up a map at Visitor Welcome and let the kids lead the way as you navigate through the parkland, looking out for snowdrops, aconites and birds.
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate
Get stuck into a family game of Guess Who at Felbrigg Hall this half term. From 17-25 February, explore a selection of decadent showrooms between 12-3pm and work out the identity of characters from portraits hanging on the wall. Link clues to fun facts and pick out the person (or animal) being described before anyone else to secure the win! Admission applies.
If it’s fresh air you’re after, arm yourself with hot drinks and delicious snacks from the Squire’s Pantry tea-room (open 10am-3.30pm) before immersing yourself in the winter beauty of Felbrigg’s 520-acre estate. Borrow a free Tracker Pack from Visitor Reception, containing binoculars and animal track sheets, and set off on the 2.6-mile circular Church and Ice House trail. Tick activities off the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list, including ‘Build a den’ and ‘Go welly wandering’.
Felbrigg Estate is free to visit from dawn-dusk. Car parking is free for National Trust members and £5 for non-members.
Oxburgh Estate
There’s plenty going on at Oxburgh Estate to keep little explorers entertained this winter, with activities on offer from 27 January-25 February, 9.30am-4pm.
Pop on your wellies and follow a snowdrop trail to see the estate carpeted in a gorgeous swathe of white bell-shaped flowers. Within the gardens, families can enjoy a variety of games and challenges designed to test snowdrop-spotting skills, boost creativity and get imaginations whirring! After outdoor adventures, enjoy a family trail around the hall and create your own snowdrop to take home.
Oxburgh’s ever-popular Snowdrop Tours are also back for 2024! Join a member of the Garden Team and explore the estate as they provide insight into the snowdrops and spring bulbs that carpet Oxburgh’s woodlands. Enjoy a wander and learn about these beautiful flowers – a highlight of the winter season… Oh, and the views are delightful too!
Tours are bookable online as a free event, with a suggested donation of £5 per person on arrival. Standard admission charges apply for the property. National Trust members free.
Sheringham Park
The popular Family Night Hike event returns to Sheringham Park this February half term. See what is stirring at sunset and book tickets for Sunday 18 or Monday 19 February, 5-7.30pm. As darkness descends, listen for the hoot of Tawny Owls, spot deer come out of hiding and be spellbound by stars on a clear night. Tick ‘Going on a nature walk at night’ and ‘Go stargazing’ off your list from the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ – the National Trust’s list of activities to inspire play in nature.
This is a unique opportunity for families to join a guided exploration of the park at night, on an approximately 3-mile walk. Most suitable for 6-12 year olds, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets £6 adult, £4 children.
There’s plenty to discover during the day too, as you have a giggle on Sheringham Park’s Guess Poo trail. Locate information stations lurking in the landscape and match animals to their droppings while satisfying children’s seemingly endless fascination with poo! Collect a letter at each station to reveal a password that unlocks a tasty treat at the Courtyard Cafe. From 17-25 February, pick up £3 trail sheets from the welcome kiosk in the car park between 10am-3pm to start your quest.
Sheringham Park is free to visit from dawn-dusk. Car parking is free for National Trust members and £6.50 for non-members.
