The first signs of spring are starting to emerge across Devon and places are sparkling after their winter deep cleans. There’s plenty to entice you out and about this winter with Wassail events, February half-term trails and tree planting. What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this winter. Please check property website for opening days and times:
Arlington Court
www.nationaltrust.org/visit/
Locals’ week at Arlington Court - Free entry for EX postcodes
Saturday 28 February – Friday 6 March
From 28 February to 6 March, enjoy a week of free fun at Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum. To gain free entry, simply bring along your driving license or bill to prove you live in an EX postcode area. TA22, TA24 postcodes also welcome. Please note, parking charges still apply.
Price: Free event
Guided Wider Estate Walk: Daffodils and Spring Flowers at Arlington Court
3, 7 & 15 March, 11am – 12:30pm
Join one of our knowledgeable walk leaders for a walk across the estate (approx 3 miles) learning about daffodils and other early spring flowers. What do they mean to our wildlife who depend on them and what symbolism did these early blooms hold for our ancestors?
Price: Free event
Castle Drogo
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Rock on – February Half Term Trail
14-22 February. 10am-5pm
Do you know what's under your feet? Do you know the difference between your igneous or sedimentary rocks? Come to Drogo to find out about the history of Dartmoor's foundations.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Coleton Fishacre
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Nature explorers talk on Barn Owls
18 February, 11am-1pm
Join The Barn Owl Trust at Coleton Fishacre for a pop-up talk on all things Barn Owls. Get hands on with pellet analysis and and discover how the charity work hard to care and conserve the local Barn Owls.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Killerton
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Free Guided Wellbeing Walk:
28 January. 10am-12noon. (Columbjohn Walk)
25 February. 10am-12noon (Deodar Glen Walk)
25 March. 10-11am. (Garden and Chapel Walk)
Please see website for further details regarding the walks.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Lorna Doone Valley
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Guided Walk: Discover the Doone Valley
6 March. 10am-1pm
Join the walking team at the Lorna Doone Valley on a two-hour guided walk around the Doone Valley and surrounding Exmoor Landscape
Price: £3pp. Booking required.
Saltram
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
The Gruffalo's Child garden trail at Saltram
January – 1 February. 10am-4pm
Step into the world of the Gruffalo’s Child and follow along on the journey through the deep dark wood with games, challenges and plenty of festive photo moments along the way.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Woolacombe
www.nationaltrust.org/visit/
Ilfracombe Torrs tree planting
Sunday 15 & Monday 16 February, 10 am – 3pm
Join us for tree planting during half-term at Ilfracombe Torrs on the 15 & 16 February. Be a part of planting over 10,000 trees to benefit both people and nature as we work to create a broader range of habitats across the Ilfracombe Torrs.
Price: Free event
Family Volunteering - bash and burn Marine Drive
Thursday 19 February, 10 am – 3pm
Join the ranger team as we cut back gorse and overgrowth of vegetation to create more space for nature and allow rarer species including maritime grassland and wildflowers, to flourish. The event will run from 10-3pm but you are welcome to come and go as you please.
Price: Free event