Summer Adventures with the National Trust

Do you remember the feeling of rolling down a really big hill? For those ten seconds there was nothing else in the world but the smell of the grass and the sun on your face, the smell of the grass, the sun on your face, the smell of the grass and the incredible thrill of tumbling, being on the edge of out-of-control.

Such simple pleasures are among the National Trust’s suggestions for 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ - the campaign to get kids outdoors and in touch with the natural world around them. They include intrepid activities like climbing a tree and damming a stream, as well as more intimate activities such as mud pie-making, hunting for bugs, and the joy of a producing a piercing whistle from a grass trumpet.

There are 50 things scrapbooks and activities at National Trust places, alongside enough trails and play activities, crafts and garden games to give the whole family a summer adventure.

The countryside and parkland looked after by the National Trust is perfect for summer exploring and picnicking. The beautiful gardens are at their colourful best in summer, filled with paths and lawns to run along, walled gardens to hide in, and peaceful shady spots where you can close your eyes and soak up summer scents and the dreamy buzz of insects.

National Trust members visit for free, but there is sometimes a separate charge for specific events and activities. All profits go to the care and upkeep of the special places we look after for you and future generations to enjoy.  All details and other ideas for family days out can be found on the National Trust website:

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/regionlondonsoutheast/london-and-the-south-east

Summer family highlights in West Sussex:

Petworth House and Park - Imaginary Garden

23 July – 4 September, 10am – 4pm, £3 per child

Step inside your own imagined world this summer by becoming a landscape designer in this 'Capability' Brown inspired trail. Who knows where your imagination will take you, but adventure is waiting around every twist, turn and tree. 

Petworth House is celebrating the 300^th anniversary of Capability Brown’s birth, with a year-long programme of events.

Petworth House and Park - As You Like It! A Shakespearean Family Trail

Every day, normal admission charge, voluntary donation of £2

Join William Shakespeare and characters from his famous plays as they guide you around this mansion on a fun interactive trail.

Become a playwright and create your own script as you hunt for Shakespearean characters hidden in Petworth’s paintings. As the writer, you decide the fate of your actors. What challenges will your theatrical troupe meet along the way? Will your audience be laughing at a comedy or crying at a tragedy?

Nymans - fire and shelter woodland workshop

15 August, 10am - 3pm, £20, book on 01444 405250, for children aged 8 to 14 years

This day out is perfect for the young budding explorer who wants to know how to live and survive in the wild. Join our ranger and learn how to build and light a fire. Work as a team to make a woodland shelter from natural materials and practice your camp cooking skills too.

Nymans – Stage and screen discovery trail

Until 4 September, 10.30am – 3.30pm, normal admission charge plus £1 per trail

Come and be part of the drama this summer and explore the garden looking for theatre and film-themed props. See if you can spot the theatre script or glimpse the director’s chair. Collect your own Best Performer certificate at the finale of your trail. Get even more involved and come dressed as your favourite film character.

Uppark House and Garden - school holiday trails

23 July - 4 Sep 11am to 4pm, normal admission charge plus £1 per trail

Have fun following the family fun trail around grounds at Uppark. If you bring a kite, you can take advantage of Uppark’s wonderful location on top of the South Downs.

Uppark House and Garden - medieval falconry display

6 August, 11am to 4pm, normal admission charge only

A falconry show with a twist! Local bird of prey experts, Hawking About, present this show as a Medieval falconry sports day. Dressed in authentic costume, they will involve the audience every step of the way, culminating in a human tunnel through which he’ll fly his birds.

East Head beach - wildlife breakfast

2 July 7.30 - 11am, £9 each, book on 01243 814730

East Head is a beautiful place of sand dunes, beach and lots of wildlife. Explore the early morning dunes for furtive creatures, and help identify our over-night moth visitors with the team from Sussex Moth group.  Finish by joining us for a bacon roll and hot drink (included in the price).

Slindon Estate - brilliant Bignor wildlife

16 July, 2 – 4pm, adults £4, children £2, book on 01243 814730

Come and see for yourself the many beautiful species of wildlife that flourish on the Downs in high summer, on this ranger led walk.  We will be particularly looking at butterflies and the wild flowers they depend upon for their survival.

East Head – beach bonanza days

Saturdays, Sundays & Thursdays from 23 July to 4 September, 11am - 3pm, free, call 01243 814730 for more information

At weekends and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays, we’ll be running a host of exciting ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’, from beach safaris and bug hunts, to investigating tidal pools and making wild art. Come on a beach safari, catch a crab, fly a kite and much more. Check out our noticeboard or website for more details.

Slindon Estate - wild beast safari

28 July, 2 - 4pm, children adults free, book on 01243 814730

Bring your best explorer’s hat to discover the many weird and wonderful mini beasts that live in the woods and grasslands of this ancient country estate. We’ll bring the equipment and some refreshments, you just need to have fun.

Slindon Estate - bats in the belfry

3 August, 8 – 10pm, adults £4, children £2, book on 01243 814730

Join our ranger for a talk and gentle walk in search of these mysterious creatures, Using a bat detector, we’ll hear the high frequency squeaks the bats use to catch their prey.

Slindon Estate - a teddy bear’s picnic

12 August, 11.30am - 2pm, children £4, adults free, book on 01243 814730

If you go down to the woods today.....make sure you bring your favourite teddy and picnic lunch! Join us for this fun family event, taking you to Northwood where there will be children's activities and light refreshments. A toilet will be provided on site

Slindon Estate - crafty little creatures

24 August, 1 – 3pm, children £5, adults free, book on 01243 814730

Join us in Northwood for the afternoon and get creative with nature.  Hand-paint your very own woodland creature and decorate Northwood with clay Green Men and woodland materials. Light refreshments and toilet also available on site. 

Woolbeding Countryside - bat, moth & star gazing night

14 July, 9 – 11pm, adults £3, children £2, book on 01730 816638

Hear and glimpse the shyest wildlife stir as dusk turns to night. Enjoy the twilight hours as we search for woodcock and the elusive nightjar across the woodland edge and heath, finishing with a look at the stars.

Woolbeding Countryside revealed

4 August, 10.30am – 2pm, £3 (not including tea), book on 01730 816638

Take in the changing landscape of river, wood, farm and heath on a guided walk through this beautiful river valley. We’ll stop off at Woolbeding Gardens tea room on the way, for refreshments.

Woolbeding Countryside - woodland art & campfire cooking

11 August, 11am – 1pm, £5, book on 01730 816638

Make your own natural art and have a campfire lunch in our glorious woodland - all materials provided, just roll up!

Woolbeding Countryside - Picnic in the Park, free

20 August, 6 – 9pm, free entry

Bring a picnic, sit back & enjoy live music from local bands, in a beautiful park setting.

Woolbeding Countryside  - Dog Fun Day

Sunday 31 July 10.30am – 3pm, free entry, £1 per class

Shows, dog agility, working dogs, stalls, a must for all dog lovers!

Watch the fun, or take part. We’ve got dog showing classes, dog agility and working dog demonstrations. Support local stalls and charities and find out how you and your dog can get along better with livestock and wildlife.

Drover’s - bat walk

24 August, 8.30 – 10pm, adults £3, children £2, book on 01730 816638

Search for bats in the woods and along the old railway with an expert from the Bat Conservation Trust, and his bat detecting kit.