The National Trust recently relaunched their ’50 Things To Do Before You’re Eleven and Three Quarters’ campaign complete with a new book and stickers to add to each page when you’ve completed them. H is still only three so we’ve got a while before we’ll be anywhere near complete, but already we’re finding it fun and are thinking of different things to do when we go out.
This half term the National Trust have several 50 Things themed events happening – here’s a list of of the London and South East ones –
Ashridge Spring Trail
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 16 March to 31 May 2013, 10:00am to 4:00pm Price: Child £1
Miss Alice’s Drive Woodland Walk
Waddesdon Manor
Dates: 115 dates between 22 May 2013 and 27 October 2013 Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Explore some of the wildlife areas established at Waddesdon.
Bat Walk
Hatchlands Park
Dates: 23 May 2013, 15 August 2013 and 22 August 2013 Price: Adult £5, Child £2.50
Summer Half Term
Mottisfont
Dates: 9 dates between 25 May 2013 and 2 June 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Go on a really long bike ride on our estate – just pick up a map from our Visitor Reception.On your adventures see if you can find a tree and explore the inside of it. Kick off your shoes and go for a walk bare foot in our grounds.
Family Fun and Frolics
Chartwell
Dates: 25 May to 2 June 2013, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
We’ll have lots to do, including children’s activities, storytelling by the campfire, fun in the woods, trails, den building – and lots of things to try on the list of 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4!
May-hem
Standen
Dates: 25 May to 2 June 2013, 11:00am to 4:00pm Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
A small charge may be made for some activities.
Half term fun – Map makers
Hughenden
Dates: 25 May to 2 June 2013, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Half term fun creating your own maps and visiting the secret 1940s map-making bunker
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Den building adventures
Scotney Castle
Dates: 9 dates between 25 May 2013 and 2 June 2013
Price: Per Item £1 (Compass Trail)
This half term join us at our wilderness camp to see who can build the best den and take part in our compass trail.
50 Things in the Woodland
Chartwell
Dates: 6 dates between 25 May 2013 and 18 August 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Build a den, explore inside a tree, climb a huge hill, hunt for bugs, and more when you come to the Chartwell estate. Be sure to get your trail map in the Visitor Centre before heading into the woods.
Winchelsea Dawn Chorus : Sunday 26th May 2013
Bodiam Castle
Dates: 26 May 2013 4:00am Price: All Tickets £5
Booking Essential Sorry, cancelled
Have a go at geocaching
Shalford Mill
Dates: 26 May 2013 11:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
We have a few GPS handsets available for you to try your hand at geocaching – the digital treasure hunt! Why not come and see if it’s for you?
Pony Magic
Hatchlands Park
Dates: 12 dates between 26 May 2013 and 15 September 2013 Price: Child £2.50
Pony rides for children. A 3-5 minute ride suitable for 2-11 year old children.
Explorer Week
Emmetts Garden
Dates: 5 dates between 27 May 2013 and 31 May 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
A great chance to complete some of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4!
Wilderness Week
River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf
Dates: 7 dates between 27 May 2013 and 2 June 2013
Price: Child £2.50 (For children’s activities)
A half term week of den building, foraging and survival crafts, suitable for 5-12 year olds.
Pony Magic
Clandon Park
Dates: 4 dates between 27 May 2013 and 26 August 2013 Price: Child £2.50 (per ride)
Pony rides for children. A 3-5 minute ride suitable for 2-11 year old children.
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Wild Art Workshop
Mottisfont
Dates: 28 May 2013 10:00am and 28 May 2013 1:00pm Price: All Tickets £2.50
Fossil Fabrication
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 28 May 2013 10:15am Price: Child £3
Booking Essential
Wild Learning
Claremont Landscape Garden
Dates: 6 dates between 28 May 2013 and 30 December 2013
Price: All Tickets £35
Have fun and explore the woods with Wild Learning Forest School. Book at place at www.wild-learning.net Booking Essential
Beasts and Butterflies
Hughenden
Dates: 7 dates between 28 May 2013 and 28 August 2013 Price: Child £4
Kids can be nature detectives on this walk with our Ranger team Booking Essential
Plant it, grow it, eat it
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 4 dates between 28 May 2013 and 31 May 2013 Price: Child £2
Float your Boat Day
Claremont Landscape Garden
Dates: 29 May 2013 10:30am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
There will also be an opportunity to make your own model boat from junk at the craft session in the morning between 11 am and 1 pm. You can float them on the lake at Claremont between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm.
Art Attack
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 29 May 2013 10:30am Price: Child £3
Booking Essential
Wild Wednesday – Orienteering
Cliveden
Dates: 29 May 2013 11:00am
Price: Child £2
How fast do you think you can complete our Wild Wednesday orienteering course? See if you can be the best! There is fun to be had whatever the weather! This is a drop in session and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Ideal for children aged 4-11.
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50 Things – Plant it grow it eat it
Basildon Park
Dates: 29 May 2013 2:00pm Price: Child £2 (Planting workshop)
Springtime Tree Climbing with the Big Tree Climbing Company
Cliveden
Dates: 24 dates between 30 May 2013 and 31 May 2013
Price: All Tickets £17.50
Coordinated by the Big Tree Climbing Company, have fun in the trees at Cliveden. Explore the canopy and have a go at tree climbing, a zip wire and a rope swing! Fun for all the family. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.Each session is 30 minutes long. Please book your session in advance, either online or via the Box Office.
Booking Essential
Wild Child: Pond Dipping
Ightham Mote
Dates: 30 May 2013 11:15am Price: Child £3 (per session) Booking Essential
Wildzone: Mottistone Moth Night
Mottistone Manor Garden
Dates: 31 May 2013 9:30pm
Price: Child £3 (no charge for accompanying adults)
In the evening we will be setting light traps and looking for moths around the garden. Then we’ll return the following day at 0830 am to see what has been caught in the light traps and to discover what amazing moths inhabit the night skies of MottistoneThe Wildzone is a programme of hands-on activities for accompanied children aged 5-13, introducing them to nature. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Sorry no dogs.
Booking Essential
Build a den – 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4
Hinton Ampner
Dates: 4 dates between 1 June 2013 and 2 June 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
As part of the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4 campaign we are having a weekend of fun, learning how to build your own woodland hideaway. Our expert den builders will be on hand to help you learn the woodland skills you need. There is a 15 minute walk to the woodland to do this activity
50 Things in the Garden
Chartwell
Dates: 6 dates between 1 June 2013 and 4 August 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Make your own kite and learn to fly it, make a daisy chain or a grass trumpet, set up a snail race, and more. The first weekend of the months of May through August will showcase the various 50 things activities possible in the gardens at Chartwell.
Open Farm Sunday
Waddesdon Manor
Dates: 9 June 2013 10:00am
Price: No Additional charges
Open Farm Sunday is one of the farming industry’s biggest success stories. Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) it gives everyone the chance to discover the story behind their food and the vital role farmers play in caring for the countryside. 2013 will be the first year that the Waddesdon Farms have taken part in this event and there are plans for a day packed full of demonstrations, talks and livestock displays. For more information on Open Farm Sunday visit www.farmsunday.org
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Coleshill Mill Open Day
The Buscot and Coleshill Estates
Dates: 5 dates between 9 June 2013 and 13 October 2013
Price: Adult £2.50, Child £1.25
Visit this lovely mill on the pretty River Cole and see the grain being ground into flour. The flour is then available to buy and a recipe leaflet provided
Totally Batty
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 12 June 2013 9:00pm and 24 July 2013 9:00pm
Price: Adult £10, Child £6
Join us for a bat hunt! Learn exciting facts about these amazing creatures, and enjoy a walk in the dark to discover more and hopefully catch a glimpse. Suitable for the whole family.
Booking Essential
‘Have-A-Go-Falconry’ – 15th & 16th June 2013
Bodiam Castle
Dates: 15 June to 16 June 2013, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Price: All Tickets £3 (to fly a bird)
Have-a-go session takes place from 14.15 to 15.00. Please note that the birds are unable to fly in wet weather. Children must be 8 years or older to fly a bird of prey.
50 Things – Climb a tree on Father’s Day
Basildon Park
Dates: 16 June 2013 10:00am
Price: All Tickets £12.50 (Climb, All Tickets £6 (Crate building), zip wire and leap of faith)
Use ropes, harness and karabiners to access the canopy of magnificent tree. Take the quick exit down via a zip wire and then…. see if you or dad can go higher on the leap of faith! All equipment is provided and tuition given by highly trained and experienced staff members.Prices from £6For more information see www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk or phone 0800 0556760.Please note: In case of extremely poor weather please phone on the morning of the event.
Booking Essential
Father’s Day Challenge
Stowe
Dates: 16 June 2013 10:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
How many Stowe challenges can dads and their children complete in one day using the Stowe explorer map. Try out our top 10 list of exploration and natural play activities. Take a photo of you achieving your favourite challenge and share it with us on Facebook or Twitter
Father’s Day Challenge
Stowe
Dates: 16 June 2013 10:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Dads, can you keep up with your kids? How many Stowe challenges can you complete in one day? With our special Stowe explorer map try out our top 10 challenges. Take a photo of you achieving your favourite challenge and share it with us on Facebook or Twitter.
Father’s Day Fun
Ightham Mote
Dates: 16 June 2013 11:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
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Father’s Day Den building
Hughenden
Dates: 16 June 2013 11:00am
Price: All Tickets £5
Make your Dad’s Day and bring him along on this family session to get hands-on and learn how to make a shelter in the woods Booking Essential
Fathers Day Bushcraft Trail
Chilterns Countryside
Dates: 16 June 2013 2:00pm
Price: Adult £5, Child £2
For Father’s Day why not become a Bushcraft Ranger for the Day! Bring the kids along and join the National Trust Rangers on a woodland trail. Collecting supplies on route to our base camp for the afternoon, where we will learn the skills to build shelters and campfires. We will end our mini adventure around a campfire toasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate.
Booking Essential
The Bats of Mottisfont. Evening Walk.
Mottisfont
Dates: 21 June 2013 8:00pm
Price: Adult £5, Child £2.50
Come and join us for an evening/night walk to discover the bats of the Mottisfont estate. Home to one of the rarest bat species in Britain as well as several other species, this is a chance to see and hear them in their natural habitat.
Booking Essential
Big nature night
Leith Hill
Dates: 28 June 2013 9:00pm
Price: All Tickets £5 (per activity)
As the start of our Big Nature Weekend it’s all about nocturnal creatures with the opportunity to discover more about bats or moths. Join our experts to learn about how these creatures survive, navigate and feed and how to record and identify them.
Booking Essential
Big nature morning
Leith Hill
Dates: 29 June 2013 6:00am
Price: All Tickets £5 (per activity)
As part of our Big Nature Weekend an early morning start will be worth it to discover more about the wildlife at Leith Hill. Join our experts to take part in bird ringing, moth trapping or mammal surveying.
Booking Essential
Big nature day
Leith Hill
Dates: 29 June 2013 10:00am
Price: No Additional charges
As part of our Big Nature Weekend, drop in during our family friendly event to learn how to record and identify the wildlife that is found at Leith Hill; from moths, birds and fungi to reptiles, dragonflies and plants. Try your hand at making wildlife homes and other crafty activities. Refreshments available.
Wildlife Weekend – 29th & 30th June 2013
Bodiam Castle
Dates: 29 June to 30 June 2013, 11:00am to 4:00pm Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
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The Hills are Alive
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 29 June 2013 2:00pm Price: Adult £7, Child £5
Booking Essential
Ashridge Summer Trail
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 1 July to 16 September 2013, 10:00am to 4:00pm Price: Child £1
‘Art at the Castle’ : 6th & 7th July 2013
Bodiam Castle
Dates: 6 July 2013 11:00am and 7 July 2013 11:00am
Price: Per Item £5 (Shield Painting)
Separate charges apply for the individual activities. Sheild painting charge is shown, other activity charges will be posted later in the year.
Damsels and Dragons
The Buscot and Coleshill Estates
Dates: 7 July 2013 2:00pm
Price: Adult £3, Child £1.50
Join one of our National Trust Rangers on the gentle family walk along the River Cole. We will be looking at the ecology and folklore behind these often misunderstood flying insects
Booking Essential
Family River Walk
The Buscot and Coleshill Estates
Dates: 9 July 2013 5:00pm
Price: Adult £3, All Tickets £1.50
This is a guided family activity walk to discover the wildlife and the restoration of the meanders and floodplain. You can also hunt for bugs, make mud pies and wild art.
Booking Essential
Creatures of the night
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 12 July 2013 9:00pm Price: Adult £10, Child £6 Booking Essential
The House at Pooh Corner: A summer of fun at Mottisfont.
Mottisfont
Dates: 65 dates between 13 July 2013 and 15 September 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
On show for the first time in over a decade will be 36 beautiful hand-painted illustrations by E. H. Shepard for the classic children’s books Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. A fabulous family quest trail lets you follow in the footsteps of your favourite characters around Mottisfont’s grounds, ticking of many of your ’50 Things to do before you’re 11 3/4′ as you go. Join us for special event weekends during the summer holidays.
Exhibition: The House at Pooh Corner
Mottisfont
Dates: 56 dates between 13 July 2013 and 15 September 2013
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
An Exhibition of classic illustrations. There will also be a display of contemporary art on the theme of childhood and imagination and a distinct, fabulous family quest trail.
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Family Camping, Moths and Moonlight
Cliveden
Dates: 13 July to 14 July 2013, 2:00pm to 11:30am and 20 July to 21 July 2013, 2:00pm to 11:30am
Price: Adult £27, Child £17
Take part in this fantastic evening under the stars, with bat watching, moth-trapping, bug hunts, toasting marshmallows over the fire and story-telling. Please bring your own picnic for dinner, then wake up to a delicious breakfast and take part in our morning activities. Booking Essential
National Trust Community Day
Bembridge and Culver Downs
Dates: 14 July 2013 11:00am
Price: No Additional charges
Join us for a special day of free activities, trails and countryside demonstrations centred in and around Bembridge Fort. Activities include free taster tours of Bembridge Fort and some ’50 things to do’. The Rangers will be demonstrating some of their countryside skills, there will be a cake stall from the Needles Old Battery tea-room, plants from Mottistone Manor Garden and stalls and stands from local organisations.
Purple Emperor Hunt
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 14 July 2013 1:30pm Price: All Tickets £2
The House at Pooh Corner: A summer of fun at Mottisfont. Family
fun Weekend
Mottisfont
Dates: 20 July 2013 10:00am and 21 July 2013 10:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Coinciding with the House at Pooh Corner exhibition this summer we’ll be having great outdoor activities throughout this weekend some of which you can tick off your 50 things list.Join us this weekend as we builg pooh-stick boats to send down the river.
Wildzone: rockpooling at Freshwater Bay
Compton Bay and Downs
Dates: 21 July 2013 2:30pm
Price: Child £3 (no charge for accompanying adults)
The Wildzone is a programme of fun hands-on activities for accompanied children aged 5-13, introducing them to wildlife and nature. Booking Essential
Summer nature trail
Bembridge Windmill
Dates: 25 July to 3 September 2013, 10:30am to 4:30pm Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Summer holiday adventures
Scotney Castle
Dates: 39 dates between 25 July 2013 and 1 September 2013
Price: Per Item £1 (Per activity)
Join in the adventures at Scotney Castle throughout the summer, with trails and activities available, every day is a different adventure.
Barton’s Dangerous Summer for Boys (and Girls!)
Standen
Dates: 27 July to 1 September 2013, 11:00am to 4:00pm Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
A small charge may be made for some activities.
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Make and Take Children’s Crafts
Standen
Dates: 4 dates between 29 July 2013 and 19 August 2013 Price: Child £3
Family Mondays
Knole
Dates: 6 dates between 29 July 2013 and 28 October 2013
Price: No Additional charges
Mondays during school holidays are family days at Knole – the days to take part in our free family events, to follow a brilliant trail round the courtyards and to do some of the 50 Things that will get your family outdoors and closer to nature.
Minibeasting
Stowe
Dates: 30 July 2013 10:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Join us for a minibeasts hunt in the landscape gardens. Free event. If you have a bug pot, then bring it along to collect your own lovely critters to study up close before releasing them back into the wild again. Please note that the minibeasting activity starts at 10:30am, but please allow half an hour to walk from New Inn to the Temple of Friendship (where the event starts).
Booking Essential
Minibeasting
Stowe
Dates: 30 July 2013 10:30am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
Join us for a minibeasts hunt in the landscape gardens.Prebooking is essential on 01280 817156This is a Free Event Normal admission charges apply
Booking Essential
Kids Activities
Smallhythe Place
Dates: 30 July 2013 2:00pm
Price: All Tickets £2.50
Age 3+. No need to book, just arrive any time between 2pm and 3.30pm £2.50 per child, there is free admission to the garden for accompanying adults and you are welcome to picnic in the grounds.
50 Things – Fly a kite
Basildon Park
Dates: 31 July 2013 10:30am
Price: Child £18 (Kite workshop)
Tickets Child: £18 for children aged from 8yrs (normal admission applies for accompanying adults) Booking Essential
Wild Wednesday – VIBs (Very Important Bugs!)
Cliveden
Dates: 31 July 2013 11:00am
Price: Child £2
This is a drop in session and participating children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Ideal for children between 4 and 11 years of age.
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Hidden Habitats
River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf
Dates: 5 dates between 1 August 2013 and 29 August 2013
Price: Child £2.50 (For children’s activities)
Fun and games with environmental and historical places at Dapdune Wharf. Previously everyday objects yield stories of the past ‘ uncover our hidden habitats.
50 Things – Ightham Challenge
Ightham Mote
Dates: 1 August 2013 11:00am
Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)
This is your opportunity to set yourselves a challenge and try to complete as many things as possible. There will be a selection of organised activities, as well as the chance to go off as a family and explore estate to see how many others you can do.
Treemendous Thursdays
Sissinghurst Castle
Dates: 5 dates between 1 August 2013 and 29 August 2013
Price: All Tickets £5
Spend a couple of hours with our rangers discovering all our flora and fauna, with special focus on our magnificient trees. Fun activities for kids of all ages.
Moth trapping
Hughenden
Dates: 1 August 2013 8:30pm and 15 August 2013 8:30pm
Price: All Tickets £4
See the amazing variety of insects at Hughenden on this walk with the Ranger. Includes a hot drink Booking Essential
Birds of Prey Week
Claremont Landscape Garden
Dates: 29 dates between 3 August 2013 and 11 August 2013
Price: All Tickets £0.50 (Trail)
Children’s trail around the garden and craft activities in the Thatched Cottage. Static display of birds ‘ hawks, eagles, vultures and owls Two flying displays at 1pm and 3.30pm (tbc).Hawk Walks ‘ learning how to fly these magnificent birds. ‘Discover birds of Prey’ experience tent. The event will be supported throughout the week by local conservation and wildlife charities, who will be giving demonstrations of their own work in protecting wildlife and endangered habitats.
Booking Essential
Children’s Trail
Claremont Landscape Garden
Dates: 3 August to 11 August 2013, 10:30am to 4:30pm Price: All Tickets £0.50
Birds of Prey Week Craft Workshops
Claremont Landscape Garden
Dates: 5 August to 9 August 2013, 10:30am to 12:30pm Price: All Tickets £1.50
Pond dipping
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 6 August 2013 10:30am
Price: Child £3
Part of our Summer Fun Tuesdays at the Ashridge Estate. Booking Essential
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Bug Detectives
River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf
Dates: 4 dates between 6 August 2013 and 27 August 2013
Price: Child £1.50
Two one-hour sessions of bug hunting followed by a game. Book on the day, numbers limited
Summer Fun Tuesday – Kite Making
Ashridge Estate
Dates: 6 August 2013 12:00pm and 27 August 2013 12:00pm Price: Child £2
Create and decorate your own wildlife kite to take away and fly!
Kids Activities
Smallhythe Place
Dates: 6 August 2013 2:00pm
Price: All Tickets £2.50
Age 3+. No need to book, just arrive any time between 2pm and 3.30pm £2.50 per child, there is free admission to the garden for accompanying adults and you are welcome to picnic in the grounds.
50 Things – Climb a tree
Basildon Park
Dates: 7 August 2013 10:00am
Price: All Tickets £12.50 (Climb, All Tickets £6 (Crate building), zip wire and leap of faith)
Use ropes, harness and karabiners to access the canopy of magnificent tree. Take the quick exit down via a zip wire and then…. experience the leap of faith! All equipment is provided and tuition given by highly trained and experienced staff members.Prices from £6For more information see www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk or phone 0800 0556760.Please note: In case of extremely poor weather please phone on the morning of the event.
Booking Essential
Wild Wednesday – Birds
Cliveden
Dates: 7 August 2013 11:00am
Price: Child £2
This is a drop in session and all participating children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Ideal for children aged 4-11.