Are you ready for your midterm adventure with National Trust Cymru?
There are Welsh castles to explore, parks and woodlands with wildlife to spot and hours of fun in wild play areas. Mid-term in May is perfect for connecting with nature as a family and trying some of the “50 things to do before you are 11 ¾”. Discover all sorts of mid-term events and activities at the venues we cater for in Wales to let your children’s imaginations run wild.
For more information or to plan your visit, go to; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales
NORTH WALES
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
This May midterm, young explorers can let off steam in two playgrounds at Home Farm or choose from a variety of family walks through the woods – it’s the perfect place to tick off some “50 things to do before you” concerning the activities of 11¾’. Explore the park at your own pace, spotting wildlife in quiet bird hides along the way with benches to rest weary feet at Home Farm, Kitchen Garden and in the meadow.
June 2 to 5
From Thursday to Sunday, step back in time to the 1950s to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Chirk Castle. Dress up for a royal family photo in the Jubilee Arbor, play traditional games and watch Punch and Judy performances in the garden on Thursdays and Fridays.
Pack a picnic, gather your friends and family and enjoy a celebratory lunch alfresco, or treat yourself to a traditional afternoon tea on the lawn. A tea tent in the garden will serve refreshments, Victoria sponges and Jubilee cakes throughout the bank holiday weekend.
Erddig, Wrexham
Children of all ages will have hours of fun in Wolf’s Den, Erddig’s natural playground. Let your little explorers go wild as they teeter on balance beams, go wild on rope swings or try to build a den out of sticks.
Spot spring lambs playing in the fields, look for ducklings and Coot chicks around the Fishpond and Swans garden on French Meadow Lake. Take the family-friendly, red-marked trail in Big Wood to spot kingfishers along Black Brook. Listen for the colorful Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, or you might even get a glimpse of its shy relative, the Green Woodpecker.
June 2 to 5
Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Erddig with Punch and Judy performances throughout the four-day bank holiday weekend with a tea tent serving traditional cream teas.
On Thursday and Friday there will also be live music in the garden.
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
At Penrhyn Castle you will find plenty of entertainment for all the family during the mid-May term. From Saturday May 28 to Sunday June 5, follow the sensory trail or get an observation sheet to discover the fauna supported by the prairies. Discover the value of wildlife, spot bees, dive like swallows and learn more about the grasslands.
For families who prefer a longer walk, head to Cwt Ogwen hide and the natural woodland playground at Rook Wood. From here you can also take a stroll along the promenade that runs along Afon Ogwen, with views of the Bethesda and Y Carneddau mountains.
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
Be inspired by stories and history at Plas Newydd this May semester. Inside the house, discover the hidden secrets of Rex Whistler’s famous 17.5-meter-long mural. The lectures take place on Thursday and Friday mornings, from 11:00 to 11:30 and are suitable for all ages. Reservation essential.
The Adventure Playground at Dairy Wood is perfect for some wild time with the family and ideal for ticking off some of the ’50 things to do before you are 11¾’. Explore Dairy Wood and find a secluded spot to create your den nestled among the trees of the Arboretum. See how many types of trees you can see?
Bring a frisbee from home or buy one from the shop and see if you can master the open frisbee golf course every day.
Throw your Frisbee and try to land it in the basket – it’s not as easy as it looks.
MIDDLE WALES
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
Come and play this May semester in Llanercheron, there’s nothing like playing away.
You will find a messy play area near the old stable. Mix a little imagination with a pinch of sand and a splash of water to cook mud pies in the kids’ outdoor kitchen.
Make your visit even more special by helping your child ride a bike. Children can borrow a balance bike and train on the soft surface of the lawn (in partnership with British Cycling).
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
Throughout the May mid-term, follow the self-directed crown trail to discover five nature-inspired crowns hidden in the castle’s paintings and plasterwork and secret spots in the garden.
How many will you find?
Create your own royal memories, with a garden picnic among fragrant desert azaleas and wondrous wisteria on the aviary terrace.
June 2 to 5
Powis Castle will be illuminated for the whole town to see from afar to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Over the four-day bank holiday weekend, see the medieval castle shine above Welshpool. Share your photos on social media using the hashtag #PowisCastle.
SOUTH WALES
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
During this May mid-term, discover some of the interesting objects left behind and bric-a-brac found under the floor of the “Archaeology of the house” exhibition.
Get an activity sheet and follow the family trail through the house to discover some of the interesting objects.
On a sunny day, you’ll find garden games on the lawn or head to the indoor playroom for wet weather activities to keep the little ones entertained.
June 2 to 5
Throughout the four-day bank holiday weekend, enjoy ‘Pimms on The Parterre’, which will be regally decked out for Jubilee celebrations. Raise a glass with friends and savor Jubilee Cakes served in the Billiard Tea Room, while overlooking Deer Park and the ancient forest dedicated to the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
From Saturday May 28th to Saturday June 4th, experience the outdoors at Dyffryn Gardens from new perspectives. Discover the five best nature activities to do in Dyffryn Gardens with ’50 things to do before you are 11 ¾’. Head to the log pile to build a den, watch the clouds, find out what’s in a pond, and get to know a tree.
On Monday, May 30 and Thursday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., join children’s book author Lucy Owen to hear her read “Flower Girl” in the Dyffryn Theater Garden. The interactive reading will then include signing sessions. The event is free, but places are limited on a first-come, first-served basis, no reservations required.
Tredegar House, Newport
To celebrate the small but mighty pollinators, the May midterm kicks off with crafts at the Orangerie on Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29, to create paper pollinators or decorate your own flowerpot to plant flowers. seeds to take home on Monday, May 30. and Friday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Liven up the gardens by checking off more than your 50 things to do before you have 11 ¾ of activities. Collect your activity sheet at the visitor reception before starting your crazy adventure.
Explorer and sensory backpacks can be borrowed from the visitor reception. Young explorers will love getting closer to the natural world with useful tools to use in the gardens of Tredegar House. The sensory backpacks have been carefully developed following advice from sensory-focused organizations, containing sensory items including fidget toys, earmuffs, magnifying glass, storybook and soft toys.
June 4 and 5
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., head to the Orangerie to create your own Jubilee-themed crafts (free but donations for craft materials are welcome).
