As the days get warmer and evenings become longer, May half-term is the perfect time to head outdoors and get closer to nature. From hunting for bugs and planting seeds, to whittling wood and building secret dens, there’s so much to have a go at.
This half-term celebrate the arrival of spring with fun family activities at Avebury. Pick up a spotter sheet from the garden shed and get hunting for beautiful blooms, or have a go at making a floral crown. Then why not spend some time making a mini hotel for solitary bees? Bees are in serious decline, so making them a home in your garden will give them a helping hand.
It’s all about nature this half-term at Calke Abbey. Head over to Squirt’s Stable where kids can get stuck in with nature-inspired activities and make something special for your garden wildlife. Afterwards, take a family stroll around the beautiful gardens and parkland and see if you can spot the ‘Old Man of Calke’, a 1,200 year old oak tree.
This year Erddig is celebrating all things creepy-crawly. Explore the bug trail through the garden to learn about the little creatures that munch through Erddig’s plants. Find out which bugs are important and how our gardeners care for them. There will even be an exotic bug zoo to see, and edible bugs to try. Don’t miss out on the bug shaped biscuits in the café.
Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Enjoy the annual Country Fair at Florence Court, complete with dog shows, rare breeds, live music, craft stalls for the kids and much more. After all the fun, why not take a stroll around the grounds of this Georgian mansion? Explore along the pretty Yew Tree Trail and through over 8,000 acres of forest park.
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
It all begins with a little seed and some very dirty fingers. Plant some spring seeds with the help of our knowledgeable gardeners and take them home to look after until they grow big enough to eat. After showing off your green fingers why not head out to explore Fountains Abbey? Not far from the visitor centre there’s a mini wooden abbey with a woodland house, swings, scramble nets, a gigantic zip wire and more.
