Father’s Day fun with the National Trust in Sussex 19 June

The National Trust throughout the country are helping you out for some fun Father’s Day time. Treat him to a day he’ll really love be it taking  a walk together in the countryside, enjoying some Jazz on the lawn or why not get him to relive his childhood and help him build dens one of the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾‘s ’ challenges.

Whatever he loves the National Trust has something for him, beautiful gardens, historical houses or even geo catching in the woods. 

Here is a flavour of some of the Father’s Day fun West Sussex has to offer:

Photo Credit: National Trust

Sheffield Park and Garden – BBQ and late opening

This glorious landscape garden near Uckfield with lakes, cascade and waterfalls offers the perfect backdrop for a family day out, with a special BBQ during the afternoon, and a rare chance to enjoy the gardens until 9pm on Sunday 19 June.

Standen – Father’s Day treat

The rural retreat of Standen near East Grinstead, with a house full of Arts and Crafts treasures and gardens bursting with early summer colour, is the perfect location for a day out with your Dad, especially when you treat him to a sausage roll and bottle of beer for £5 in the Barn Cafe.

Photo Credit: National Trust

Nymans – Vivian Leigh exhibition and explore the gardens

Nymans has something a little different to offer dads this June – an exhibition in the house that explores the life of one of Britain’s most iconic and beautiful actresses, Vivien Leigh. Nymans was the family home of her favourite costume and set designer, Oliver Messel, and this exhibition also explores their film and theatre collaborations together.Organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum, the exhibition includes over 100 pieces from the actress’s personal archive - recently acquired by the V&A - from costumes and sketches to photographs and scripts. 

Vivien Leigh: Public Faces, Private Lives: from 1 June to 4 September

Outside, this amazing garden and wider estate is a great place to explore and relax in. There are self-guided trails into the ancient woods, down medieval tracks to mysterious Mesolithic sandstones and cascades built by World War One soldiers. Test dads’ wildlife tracking skills (no.34 on our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾‘s checklist), or encourage them to show off their den building techniques (No.4 on the list).

Photo Credit: National Trust

Petworth House and Park – Petworth Park Revealed exhibition and app

This famous 18^th-century landscape is celebrating the 300^th anniversary of its creator – Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. In the magnificent 17^th-century mansion you’ll find a new exhibition that reveals Brown’s transformation of Petworth Park from a formal landscape to a pastoral delight.

Petworth Park Revealed: The Naked Landscape runs until 6 November, 11am – 4pm.

Then get outside to explore 700 acres of beautiful landscaped parkland – great for strolls, picnics or just soaking up the view. Follow your nose, or follow one of Petworth’s two downloadable trails, and don’t forget to keep your eyes open for the fallow deer herd – they’ve been here since Henry VIII visited 500 years ago. You’ll find lots of opportunities for ‘50 things to do before you’re 113Ž4’ challenges too, from kite flying and tree climbing to rolling down a big hill – careful dads!

New this year: an exciting new piece of technology – Petworth’s Park Explorer – will take you on a journey through the park’s lost landscapes. Simply select the Park Explorer wi-fi on your smartphone or tablet. You don’t need the internet to do this and it’s free, safe and secure. As you walk through this ancient landscape Park Explorer will reveal on your screen lost gardens and forgotten buildings, unearthing the secrets hidden beneath your feet.

For further information on events at National Trust properties, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast. For further information on ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾‘s visitwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do.