The National Trust is urging families in Derbyshire to make the most of the February half-term break and enjoy the wealth of outdoor spaces on their doorstep. Many local National Trust places are offering family adventures over the holiday, from geo-caching to kite making and deer feeding to bird box making.
With over 33,000 hectares of land in the Midlands (an area greater than the size of Birmingham), the National Trust has a vast amount of countryside, gardens and parkland where children can let their imaginations run wild.
“Our outdoor spaces are a wonderful natural playground, where families can enjoy magical adventures together,” said Beccy Speight, Director for the Midlands. “That’s why we’re suggesting that they escape the xbox, turn off the television and head outside. Whether families join us for an organised nature trail, or choose to create their own fun, we have something to keep everyone entertained this half-term.”
Events in Derbyshire include:
Calke Abbey
Half Term Family Fun Days
Sat 11 Feb – Sun 19 Feb 11am – 4pm
Try some fun indoor and outdoor family activities in our wonderful parkland and Squirt the Stallion’s stable activity room.
Ilam Park, Peak District and Longshaw Estate, Peak District
Follow the birds! – Family Trail
Sat 11 Feb – Sun 19 Feb 10.30am – 3.30pm
Collect a family trail from the shop and follow our feathered friends around Ilam Park, to find out about the birdlife of the area. 50p
Kedleston Hall
Children's Half Term Nature Trail
Sat 11 Feb – Sun 19 Feb 11am – 4pm
Explore the parkland and spot plants and wildlife on our self guided trail.
Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood
Outdoor Play Weekends
Sat 11 – Sun 12 and Sat 18 – Sun 19 Feb 1pm – 3pm
Get outdoors and have a go at our play area challenges and scavenger hunts.
Longshaw Estate
Feathery Fun!
Tue 14 Feb 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Activities discovering woodlands and some of their feathered inhabitants. Build a bird box to take home for an extra £5.
Child £3 booking required
Kedleston Hall
Bird Box Making
Thu 16 Feb 11am – 3pm
Make a bird box for the feathered friends visiting your garden this spring.
£6 per bird box
Ilam Park, Peak District
Nest box making
Sun 19 Feb 1pm – 4pm
Make a nest box to support your local bird population. £5 per nest box.
To download a free half-term activity planner, listing all the Trust’s holiday events in the Midlands please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/midlandsfreshair.
