Dunham Massey – a summer to remember

Image: Max, Zoe, Hugh and Toby from Poynton are looking forward to a crafty and creative summer at Dunham Massey c. National Trust/Katie Clayton

Dunham Massey, Altrincham – weekdays during the summer holidays, 12pm-4pm

If the thought of a rain drizzled summer with the kids in tow fills you with dread, then you can breathe a sigh of relief when you hear what’s happening every weekday of the holidays at Dunham Massey, with themed weeks to keep all the family entertained.

‘Children can get closer to nature with events like Wild Art and Brilliant Bugs… step back in time with storytelling and children’s theatre workshops based on the First World War… or unleash their imaginations with theatre workshops and a performance of David Walliams’ ‘Mr Stink’ in the garden’, says Rachael Gilbert, Visitor Services Assistant. ‘We’re really excited about the summer and we hope our visitors will love it too!’

Stick Week is all about getting crafty and creative with sticks and natural materials in the garden. ‘Willow Weaving’ on Wednesday 5^th August is a chance for families to test their artistic skills by weaving their own butterfly or insect from… well, sticks.

Wartime Week remembers the Stamford Hospital and the soldiers and nurses who spent time there. On Thursday 14^th and Friday 15^th August families are invited into the kitchens when they are usually closed to the public to experience what life was like ‘Below Stairs in Wartime’. The servants will be on hand to recount tales of food rationing during the First World War and help children cook up some wartime treats.

All the world’s a stage for Performance Week, which includes ‘Theatre Workshops’ on Tuesday 18^th and Wednesday 19^th August, based on the ‘bravest little street in England’. This now disappeared street in Altrincham was so-called by King George V after sadly only half of its men returned home from the front, but those who did returned as heroes and are remembered in these scenes. To end the week children can use recycled materials to create interesting and unique outfits at ‘Messy Dressing’ on Friday 21^st August.

Families can watch the colourful characters from the brilliantly wacky David Williams story come to life in Heartbreak’s adaptation of ‘Mr Stink’ in the Garden on Friday 21^st August at 7pm. Tickets are available online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey or by calling the Box Office on 0844 249 1895.

To end the summer of fun visitors can get up close to bugs, beasties and buzzy things during Nature Week. At ‘Busy Bees’ on Wednesday 26^th August children can take part in a range of activities including making a beeswax candle, finding the clues in the bee trail, and looking up close at a hive.

Most summer events are free to take part but there may be limited availability and normal admission applies. For full details of Dunham’s events this summer holidays go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey.