I have received this press release from the National Trust North Norfolk about its summer events.

Playing games at Felbrigg Hall, North Norfolk. Image ©National Trust

“Make the most of the longer days, warmer weather, and quality time together as a family with the National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank.

During the summer holidays, experience National Trust places in new and exciting ways, with a family-festival feel and designated areas jam-packed with outdoor games and experiences. Get active and have a go at sports and garden games, with archery, croquet, athletics, ball sports and plenty more to spark your competitive side. Explore and play in nature with wild art, bug-hunting, and pond dipping, enjoy performance play with storytelling and dress-up sessions and get crafty with art workshops and craft making. With a range of activities and events at each National Trust place, there’s something to make everyone’s summer day out special.

Designed with families in mind, Summer of Play activities will be dotted around National Trust sites, 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, cafes and pop-up kiosks offering refreshing food and drink.

Here we’ve rounded up some of the best and most exciting National Trust events and activities to keep the whole family busy this summer.

Norfolk

Blakeney National Nature Reserve and Morston Quay https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve

As you explore our beautiful Norfolk coastal landscape, listen out for the sound of songbirds on Friary Hills, the crying call of birds of prey soaring in the sky and watch the wading birds on Blakeney Freshes. Take a boat trip to get a close-up look at the seals and terns on Blakeney Point, before returning to Morston Quay for a picnic or lunch from our café. Explore the coastal path and learn more about the wildlife you’ve seen at one of our Meet the Ranger events at 9.30am – 11.30am on 23 July, or 11am – 1pm on 23 August.

Blickling Estate https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blickling-estate

• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 5pm

Blickling Estate is the perfect setting for days out full of fun and adventure. Create, explore, move, wonder, make-believe – try everything from building dens and giant nests as you discover our five play stations across the Estate. Head into the gardens to discover stacks of possibilities to play all day – who can’t resist pushing a wheelbarrow around the Walled Garden and digging in our play patch? Join a game of cricket on National Play Day, Wednesday 2 August when Norfolk Cricket will be on hand share their tips and tricks. Ever dreamed of being on stage? Now’s your chance to get dressed up to perform on our mini stage! After oodles of play, listen to a storyteller tell a tale in a quiet space or head to The Stables, Farmyard or Muddy Boots cafés for ice-creams, refreshing drinks and light meals. Summer of Play activities are free (normal admission applies), so if you don’t manage to try them all on your first visit, you can come back again and again.

• Sensational portraits at Blickling Hall, 22 July – 3 September, 11am – 4pm

Use your senses of touch, smell and hearing to learn about five of the portraits on display in the House and the lives these characters led here at Blickling. Discover what the silk and lace from Lady Constance’s dress feels like to touch. Smell the scent boxes to learn who enjoyed eating chocolate, marzipan and spiced wine. Listen to the sound of rapiers clashing and find out who died in a duel on Cawston Heath!

Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate

• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 4.30pm

Frolic at Felbrigg this summer with free to use sports equipment and activities filling the meadow area by the Hall. Keep badminton shuttlecocks afloat, take on a 3-legged race and aim for bullseye with timetabled guided archery. After a whirlwind of activity re-fuel with a picnic in the grounds before heading to the Great Wood with a trusty tracker pack. Here you will discover the Ice House and ideal plots for den building. Back at the 17^th century Hall, imagine what it might have been like to have lived or worked in this grand family home, with sensory packs available to borrow. Don’t forget to visit the Walled Garden filled with fruits and vegetables growing and hens clucking or walk to the lake to see who can spot the biggest dragonfly! All activities are included with general admission to site. No booking required. National Trust members free.

Horsey Windpump https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/horsey-windpump

• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September

Head to Horsey Windpump to explore this Norfolk Broads landmark and its beautiful surroundings. Have fun getting to know the wildlife of the Broads, with daily crafts, activities and games throughout the summer (10am-4pm daily). Discover mysterious moths (2 August), the secrets of skulls (16 August), and insect superheroes (30 August) at one of our free themed events (from 10am-2pm on each of these dates). Look out for marsh harriers and buzzards soaring overhead, and if you’re lucky, the possibility of a red kite or two. Various little birds fill the atmosphere with their chirpy songs and listen out for the distinctive deep, croaky call of the crane, which is generally often heard rather than seen.

Oxburgh Estate https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/oxburgh-estate

• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September, 9.30am – 5pm

This summer, Oxburgh Estate invite you to come and join our ‘Summer of Play’. We have a jam-packed list of activities suitable for the whole family to enjoy from sports day races, badminton and giant chess to traditional lawn games including croquet, quoits and giant Jenga too! Traditional scooped ice-cream will help you to cool down on hot days and our gardens are the perfect place to relax in a deck chair and enjoy the scents and sounds of a summer’s day.

Sheringham Park https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/sheringham-park

• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September, 10am – 4.30pm 

Spend the day at Sheringham Park this summer. The events field by the visitor centre is the place for active fun with free to use croquet, footballs, hula hoops and timetabled guided archery. Pack a picnic and head off on buggy friendly paths or find two viewing towers nestled in the gardens, perfect for games of I Spy. Burn off more energy before lunch with a climb up the tallest Gazebo tower to admire sweeping coastal views and feel the breeze in your hair. Nature detectives can borrow a tracker pack and visit the dog-free Bower Garden to see what can be found in the bug hotel and wildlife pond. All activities are free, no booking required.”