Spook-tacular times with National Trust

Photo Credit: Andreas Von Einsiedel

 Can you believe that in just 5 and ½ weeks it’ll be half term? I cant wait! I love it at this time of year and the wellies and hats are ready by the door to be donned on the way out! This is the perfect time to head too to your local National Trust! With most places starting to wind down for winter the National Trust have some amazing events happening all over the country!

Just in our own local part of Sussex & Surrey for example their gorgeous properties are coming alive with scary trails and spook-tacular tales! My two will be heading down to the Witches & Wizards’ Academy at Petworth house and while I cant wait to see decay and fungi at Nymans they will love to do the bat trails all over Uppark!

Just take a look below at whats local to me this holiday and why not see what your local National Trust has on offer?

Photo Credit: Naomi Goggins

Claremont Landscape Garden

·       Gothic Hallowe’en

Sat 21 - Sun 29 Oct

This half term and Hallowe’en Claremont Landscape Garden has a big lineup of Gothic-themed events and activities to keep families busy throughout half-term. Kids in fancy dress get into the garden for free. £1 per trail. Normal admission charges apply

Leith Hill Place

·       Spooky books, crafts and storytelling

Tues 24 October, 10am to 12.30pm (age 4-6, £12.50) and 1.45 to 4.30pm (age 7-10, £15)

On Tuesday 24 October the National Trust and ‘Into the Wild’ are hosting a Hallowe’en themed day, packed full of spooky books, craft and storytelling. Come and see Leith Hill Place as you’ve never seen it before, transformed into a spooky mansion. Sessions in the morning and afternoon are run by children’s authors Alex Milway (am) and Claire Barker (pm).

Dapdune Wharf

·       Half-term activities at Wharf
Mon 23 -Sun 29 October, 11am to 4pm.
Come and join the young witches and wizards in their mischief at Dapdune Wharf, Make your own broom, get lost in the spooky maze, learn how to make bubbling potions, and maybe even have a go on the ducking stool - but bring a change of clothes, just in case.

·       Spooktacular family fun run at Dapdune Wharf

Sat 28 October from 4.30pm

Join in a spooktacular family fun run - test your fitness and your fears in a night time run around the haunted Wharf and Island.  2k run in fancy dress - with jacket potatoes available from 4.30pm, warm up from 5.30pm. To book call the Navigations Office on 01483 561389

Hatchlands Park

·       Half-term trail

Monday 23 - Sunday 29 October, 10am-5pm 

Learn about leaves and the trees on a fun autumn trail through our park and woodland. Take a leaf rubbing of some of our most spectacular species as you stroll through fiery seasonal colour.

Photo Credit: Naomi Goggins

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl

·       Half term fun in the outdoors

This October half-term, head to Hindhead for fresh air, lots of open space to run around, scoot or ride as well some magnificent views. Head over to the shepherd's hut to borrow a free children’s tracker pack; they contain spotter sheets, pencils, binoculars and a compass to help your little ones explore the great outdoors. Pick up a free walks guide too, as well as a dog biscuit for your four-legged friend. 

Petworth

·       Petworth Witches and Wizards Academy

Sat 21 – Sun 29 Oct

·       Visit Petworth this October half-term and take part in some spine tingling activities. Enrol in the Petworth Witches and Wizards Academy and make some spooky craft to take home.

·       For those after an adventure, take on the spooktastic Hallowe'en trail around the Pleasure Grounds. The three witches have escaped from their painting and are causing a trail of toil around Petworth. Are you brave enough to help return them? £3 per trail

Standen

·       Harvest trail

Keep the kids occupied this half term at Standen with a fun trail inspired by harvest in the garden, autumn strolls through crunchy leaves and spooky bat walks. If the weather's not on your side, our cafe is open all week for tasty treats.

Uppark

·       Bat Trail

Uppark is home to all sorts of little bats, which swoop over the lawns and meadow at dusk on the hunt for insects. As Hallowe’en draws near, we’re inviting little ones to ‘think like a bat’ and complete the activities on our new bat-themed trail through the grounds. Suitable for younger children, 21 – 29 October.

Nymans

·       Family trail: Hooray for decay
This half term follow the trail through the garden and discover what really happens after a tree dies. It is just the beginning of a hidden and interesting cycle full of bugs, decay and fungi. Pick up the trail from our welcome hub from 10.00am to 3.30pm. £1 per trail, normal admission applies.

·       The garden and woods has a large variety of different tree species and this produces a kaleidoscope of colourful leaves in autumn. Take some time to look at the different shapes, sizes and colours as you explore. The fallen leaves can be collected to make autumn pictures and patterns.

Alfriston Clergy House

·       Autumn sees a bumper crop of  pumpkins at the bottom of the kitchen garden, at Alfriston Clergy House just in time for Halloween.  Follow a self-lead trail for younger children looking for pumpkins hidden around the property.

South Downs

·       Fungus foray at Newtimber Hill

Fri 6 Oct  9.30am-3pm

Join mycologist Martin Allinson discovering fungi on this glorious downland site.  Bring a packed lunch.

£10  B  01273 857981

·       Fungus foray at Wolstonbury Hill

Fri 13 Oct  9.30am-3pm

Join mycologist Martin Allinson discovering fungi on this glorious downland site.  Bring a packed lunch.

£10  B  01273 857981