School’s out, and National Trust places are buzzing with family fun. Join us for lawn games, forest school and our brand new Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. 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 May half term, please check the property website for opening days and times:
Saltram
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Saltram
23 May – September. 10am-5pm
Calling Pokémon fans new and old! Get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Manga with Mia -May half term
25-27 May. See website for times available.
Whether you’re new to the world of Japanese art, or if you love manga and anime characters and would like to create your own, come and join us this half term.
Price: £8 pp (under 18yrs). Booking required.
Manga with Mia - Intermediate workshop - May half term
25-27 May. See website for times available.
Want more Manga art? Join us for our Intermediate art workshop this half term.
Price: £8pp (under 18yrs). Booking required.
A La Ronde
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
The Grand Tour Exhibition at A la Ronde
May – November. 10.30am-4pm
Step into the world of 18th century travel with The Grand Tour at A la Ronde. Discover the remarkable journey of Jane and Mary Parminter, two women who defied expectations to explore Europe at a time when the Grand Tour was largely reserved for wealthy young men. From Paris to the Alps, their travels shaped the design, collections, and character of A la Ronde. See souvenirs from their journey, pages from Jane’s diary, and an original Grand Tour board game you can play yourself.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Buckland Abbey
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
May Half Term - Historic Food Trail
23 May-7 June. 10am-4pm
Pick up a trail booklet and a pencil from visitor welcome and learn about the historic food that was grown on the estate through the years. In the garden you will find lawn games. Why not challenge your friends and family to a game of bowling, croquet or cornhole. Inside the abbey, you will find a food spotters trails.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Historic Cooking
28 & 30 May. 11am-1.30pm
This event is a living history display that brings the Abbey to life. The food will not be available for visitors to eat but we will provide recipe cards for you to take away and try at home.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
It's All About Status: A Costume Exhibition
May-June. 11am-4.30pm
Discover the diverse clothing and materials worn by Tudor people, highlighting the styles and fabrics of the era.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Castle Drogo
Castle Drogo | Devon | National Trust
Stored secrets exhibition
May-November. 10.30am-4.30pm
Are you brave enough to learn about our killer collection? How about trying some late-Victorian exercise equipment? You might be surprised to find out what we have stored here at Castle Drogo.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
May half term at Castle Drogo
23-31 May. 10am-5pm.
There's lots to see and do this May half term at Castle Drogo. Whether you want to explore inside the castle or relax in the beautiful garden, take part in the sensory trail or simply have a picnic and admire the views. Between Saturday 23 and Sunday 31 May there will be a free sensory trail running around the garden and grounds.
Fun Thursday
On Thursday 28 May join us in the activity hut for Fun Thursday's craft activity day. We will be making animal masks between 11am and 3pm.
Coleton Fishacre
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Nature explorers: Getting to know Barn Owls
27 May. 1.30-3.30pm
From learning about Barn Owl habitats and conservation, to how the extreme weather and climate change can affect them and getting a look into the feeding habits with pellet analysis, join them, for a fascinating talk on all things Barn Owl.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Family friendly ramble in the garden
29 May. 10.30-11.30am
To celebrate National Walking Month, join us for a playful family friendly walk around the garden at Coleton Fishacre. A gentle, buggy-friendly trail suitable for prams and young explorers, there will be fun activities and games along the way.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Greenway
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Seal talk at Greenway's Boathouse
25 May. 1-3pm
Based in Brixham, The Seal Project work across the South West surveying seals around the coastline. Join Sarah down at The Boathouse at Greenway as she shares the work the Seal Project does to protect seals, fun facts about the local seal population and how to identify different seals.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Killerton
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
History off the Hanger
May-November. 11am-4pm
Killerton’s collection of historic dress is the largest cared for by the National Trust with over 22,000 objects on our database. Discover the stories that describe what people wore and tell us how they lived in style. Spot the book icon around the exhibition to locate objects featured in the National Trust book 100 Things to Wear.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Classic Car Visit
24 May. 11am-2pm
Visit Killerton and view a collection of pre-1940s Morris vehicles
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Tractor Trailer Tours
27 May. 11am-12.00pm/2.00pm-3.00pm
Board the trailer in front of the house before taking in the sights of 1000 acres of registered parkland, farmland, woodland, meadows, and floodplains. You’ll see highland cows, ancient trees, and winding rivers from the comfort of a converted trailer.
Price: £8.50 per person. Booking essential.
Knightshayes
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
May Half Term at Knightshayes
22 May-1 June. 10am-4pm
Step into spring at Knightshayes. Wander the blossom‑filled gardens, collect stamps at seasonal highlights and soak up the scents and colours of the season. Take home a keepsake postcard.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Festival of Blossom
May. 10am-5pm
Step into spring at Knightshayes and experience nature at its most spectacular. Follow the waymarkers to find the best blossom displays in the garden and enjoy the freshly cut flowers throughout the house.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Lydford Gorge
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Lydford Gorge A to Z Challenge
May. 10am-4.30pm
Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor welcome before you head off on your walk. Then see if you can spot something that begins with every letter of the alphabet, you may need to get creative. There are some other challenges to have a go at on your way too.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Overbecks
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Miniature Garden
25 May. 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Make a miniature model of a garden with Elaura, our crafty workshop host
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Lorna Doone Valley
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Forest school at Lorna Doone
25 May. 10am-12noon & 1-3pm
Join our ranger team for a day of fun and building confidence in the outdoors while learning new skills.
Price: £2 per child. Booking required.
Lorna Doone family fun days
27 May. 11am-3pm
Enjoy a day of activities, from creative crafts to exciting nature discoveries. Try your hand at lawn games, get creative and explore the wild play area complete with climbing frames, tunnels and games.
Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Woolacombe
https://www.nationaltrust.org.
Silent disco beach cleans at Woolacombe
31 May. 10.30am-12noon
Looking for something different to do with the family? Join us for our monthly silent disco beach cleans with Plastic Free Woolacombe and North Devon Silent Disco
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.