National Trust Summer of Play

Summer of Play is a chance to discover a world of adventure and play at National Trust locations across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire 

The National Trust’s Summer of Play invites families to have fun and experience Trust places in new and unexpected ways. 

Kicking off in July and taking place over the summer holidays and set against the backdrop of the National Trust’s historic houses and beautiful gardens, Summer of Play activities will have a family-festival feel.    

Head to Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank, Lyme, Speke Hall and more to find places jam-packed with games and experiences.

Let imaginations run wild with role play and mini stages, unlock limitless possibilities to design and build with craft zones, make art and music with nature’s materials, or slip away to a cosy book nook.   

Give new (and old) sports a go with games including croquet, tennis and cricket. Get competitive with soft archery and egg and spoon races. Or, put your skills to the test with den building and hay bale mazes.   

Designed for families, Summer of Play activities will be dotted around large meadows, woodlands and garden areas, so there’ll be plenty of space to enjoy the games and activities as well as picnicking spots, shady rest areas and of course, toilets, cafés and pop-ups offering food and drink.   

184 National Trust places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be hosting Summer of Play activities, sponsored by Starling Bank. In the North West seven different places are taking part, all with different activities. 

Dunham Massey Summer of Play

Dunham Massey is a green oasis nestled between the vibrancy of Manchester and tranquillity of rural Cheshire.

With its ancient trees, reflective moat and Orangery on the lawn, it’s a total escape from city life.

Venture into the North Park Play Hub, brimming with colour and summer vibes. With themed activities each day, you might share games and challenges, discover music on the lawn, or learn circus skills amongst ancient trees. 

Discover the Log Pile natural play area and enjoy magical moments brought about by special events and activities in the great outdoors, including arts and crafts and drop-in storytelling.

Spot the herd of wild fallow deer in dappled sunlight beneath magnificent veteran trees across the 300-acre park. Investigate winding, accessible paths and discover the beautiful floral sights and scents of summer in the gardens. Step inside history and follow the family-friendly trail accompanied by Speechly the Pineapple.  

Picnic lovers can choose to overlook the Georgian house on the lawn, eat among ancient trees in the North Park, or go in search of the lesser frequented mound by the moat. And when kids and adults tire, seek out the book nook in the Orangery to relax with literature, or venture to the restaurant and café to refuel.  

At Dunham Massey, there’s a Space to Change facility in the visitor centre, accessible with a Radar key. Personal Mobility Vehicles and wheelchairs are available to hire in advance. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Quarry Bank Summer of Play

Come rain or shine there’s fun for all the family at Quarry Bank.

Enjoy hours of fun on the Mill Meadow as little ones navigate through a maze, challenge themselves with the obstacle course and build all kinds of creations at the loose parts play station. 

With a changing programme of themes, families are invited to wear fancy dress, get on their marks for sports day, or go exploring on the teddy bear trail. 

Venture into the Industrial Mill to get creative with craft and dressing up activities. And don’t miss the tinker stations in the Brain Power Gallery. Here you’ll feel the floor shake beneath your feet as the machinery whirrs into action. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank

Lyme Summer of Play

There’s over 600 years of history at Lyme, from the medieval deer herd to the extraordinary mansion.

Inside, transport the kids back to Regency times where they can dress up in brilliant costumes and play with toys in the Edwardian nursery. Or venture into the parkland to spot deer from The Cage and run off some steam in Crow Wood play area. 

Play your way, every day through summer. Visit Lyme for a Summer of Play, with six weeks chock-full of games. From Make Believe to Adventure, every two week will celebrate different ways to play with brand new activities and experiences meaning there’s something new to try each time you visit. With 1,400 acres to explore, there’s more than enough space to try it all. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme     

Hare Hill Summer of Play

This tranquil wooded garden is perfect for kids to explore without crowds.

Borrow a nature pack to explore the gardens and parklands to see what wildlife you can spot – the bird hide is the perfect place to start your adventure. Or you can build, climb and balance in the natural woodland play area. 

This summer discover more about the busy bees that buzz about the place and how important their daily work is to humans on the Buzzy Bee trail. Or connect with nature and find inner peace at a children’s yoga class in the beautiful surroundings of the secret garden. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/hare-hill

Little Moreton Hall Summer of Play

This topsy-turvy Tudor manor house is full of wonky angles and quirky character, and this summer you can have fun exploring a blast from the past trail of play.

Travel through time, without the need for a time machine, from Tudor period to present day, as you delve into the history of games in the outdoors.

Will you come across a familiar favourite or discover a new game to give a go?

Or discover your inner Robin Hood with archery sessions for all the family. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall    

Speke Hall Summer of Play

Speke Hall offers a perfect blend of Tudor charm and exciting outdoor adventures.

From the historic black and white timber-framed manor house to the beautiful grounds on the banks of the River Mersey, there’s something for everyone. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday through summer Speke Hall will transform into a family-festival hub of activity, promising fun-filled days come rain or shine.  

Whether you’re running in an egg and spoon race or getting competitive with soft archery, there’s always something new to discover.

And the fun continues in the house and around the grounds in two terrific trails. In the ‘Infamous Insects’ indoor trail, help to track down six tiny troublemakers around Speke Hall itself.

And keep your magnifying glass handy for Speke’s Small Wonders bug trail across the gardens and estate – get a bug’s eye view of life and test your detective skills on this bee-lightful trail. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall

Rufford Old Hall Summer of Play

There’s plenty to see and do for families at this Tudor house in Lancashire.

From exploring the garden in style on a balance bike to spotting wildlife on the canal, there’s plenty of room to let imaginations run free. 

Enjoy lots of garden games and self-led activities this summer.

Head to the Orchard Paddock and take part in free sports activities including cricket, rounders, tennis, soft archery, croquet and more.

From the Coach House you can collect a sports day kit box which includes instructions, skipping ropes, hula hoops, race markers, beanbags and more.   

nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall 

For more information on activities taking place on each day of the summer holidays visit nationaltrust.org.uk/cheshire and nationaltrust.org.uk/liverpool. 

Cheshire and Greater Manchester: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/family-friendly