Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, many National Trust properties are hosting fun family events for half-term. From wildlife trails and bird box making to arts and crafts, there's an event to keep everyone entertained. So it's time to get back to basics and enjoy some simple family fun. To find out more about what's on near you, visit the National Trust website:
Chartwell, Kent
Frogs, fishes and fowl - Half-term fun, 13-14 and 17-21 February, 11am - 4pm
Get out of the house this half-term and let off some steam at Chartwell. Wildlife themed fun for all the family.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01732 868381
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Bird box making, 13 February 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Make a bird box for your garden and discover the many ways you can attract birds to your garden.
Children must be accompanied by adults.
Normal admission charges apply plus £5.00 per box.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01765 643166
Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
Hurrah for Half-Term, 13-21 February 12pm - 3pm
Make a paper lantern for Chinese New Year, have a go learning to spin and weave (Weds 17 Feb, 12 – 3pm), and tuck into some delicious food in the Mill restaurant – from warming soups to home-made cakes!
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01625 445845
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Pancake fun day, 14 February 11am - 2pm
Join in with 'pancake family fun', including an obstacle course, a trail around the pleasure ground, pancake flipping, pancake tossing and kids crafts. Then why not enjoy lunch in the Restaurant, where there will be a selection pancakes on sale.
Normal admission charges apply plus an event charge of £2 per child
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01909 544917
Castle Drogo, Devon
Drogo detective trail, 15-21 February 11am - 5pm
Follow the trail around the castle to discover if it really is an ancient castle.
Normal admission charges apply plus an event charge of £1.50 per child including prize
Booking is not required for this event
For more information 01647 433306
Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
Wake up to wildlife! 15-17 February 11am - 4pm
Get half term off to a fun start and bring the family to an activity day held in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. With activities indoors as well as in the woodland garden there'll be plenty to keep everyone occupied. Dress for the weather and come prepared to get dirty. For accompanied children only.
Cost-All tickets £2.50
Booking is essential for this event, please call 01834 811885
Ham House and Garden, Surrey
Family ghost tour, 15-16 February 11.30am - 12.30pm
One hour guided tour discovering stories of residents that have never left...
Cost – Adult £8 and children £6
Booking is essential for this event 0844 2491895
Not suitable for children under five years of age.
For more information please call 020 8940 1950
Hatfield Forest, Essex
Nest box building week, 15- 19 February, 11am - 3pm
Bring along the whole family and build a nest box to take home to attract birds to nest and make their home in your garden. Suitable for accompanied children.
Normal car park admission applies plus a cost of £6 per nest box.
For more information please call 01279 870678
Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire
Wonderful winter family activity days, 16 and 18 February, 11am - 4pm
Enjoy a trail around the garden and hands-on activities
Normal admission charges apply plus £1.50 per activity and £0.50 for the trail
Booking is not required for this event
For more information please call 01527 821214
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Half term fun days, 17 and 20-21 February 11am - 3.30pm
Join in the fun at Calke Abbey with some exciting half term activities in Squirt's stables.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional charges.
Booking is not required for this event
For more information please call 01332 863822
Corfe Castle, Dorset
Dragon willow weaving, 17-18 February 11am - 3pm
Help us weave a dragon out of willow which will live in the castle until after Easter. Plus don't forget to take part in the knights and princesses quest
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01929 481294
Prior Park Landscape Garden, Somerset
Bird boxes DIY, 17 February 11.30am - 2.30pm
Look after the birds in your own garden. Make a bird box, pick up informative fact sheets and purchase a hand crafted bird feeder. Don't forget your binoculars and see how many birds you can spot in this landscape garden.
Normal admission charges apply plus a £10 charge for materials
Booking is not required for this event
For more information please call 01225 833422
Blickling Hall, Garden & Park, Norfolk
Half term craft workshop, 18 February 10am - 12pm
Bird box making. Make a bird box with the gardening team to take home and encourage feathered friends to your garden.
Cost-All tickets £8
Booking is essential for this event please call 0844 800 4308
Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall
Half term family fun, 18-20 February 10.30am - 4pm
As the garden team rebuild the bamboo bridge at Glendurgan, join in with some fun bamboo-related activities for all the family around the garden.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional charges
Booking is not required for this event
For more information please call 01326 252020
Wallington, Northumberland
Wake up at Wallington - bird box making, 18 February 11am - 12.30pm & 1.30 - 3pm
Drop in and make your very own bird box with our warden.
Drop in between 11am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3pm
Children must be accompanied
Normal admission charges apply and there is a small charge for the bird box kit
Booking is not required for this event
For more information please call 01670 773600
Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire
Nature detectives - bugs and beasties, 20- 21 February 11am - 4pm
This weekend you can make a bug box to take home with you, plus become a nature detective by going mini-beast spotting around the park.
Normal admission charges apply plus a £3.50 charge per bug box
For more information please call 01527 821214
Mottisfont Abbey Garden, House and Estate, Hampshire
Family fun: potty about plants, 20-21 February 12pm - 3pm
A chance to sow your very own herb garden.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges
Booking is not required for this event
For more information please call 01794 340757
Nymans Garden, West Sussex
Family workshops: spring bird box making, 21 February 11am - 12.30pm
Fill your garden with the sound of new-born birds by making a bird box with our woods team to take home for Spring.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is a £5 event charge.
Booking is essential, please call 01444 405250