A day…at the Bluebell Railway

Take the challenge of St Michael\’s hill by climbing to the top for one of the best views of Somerset. Explore St Michaels Hill, steeped in wildlife and history. Pick up a trail from reception.

Summer is beginning and the flowers are coming out. Head to the Grecian Valley to see \’Capability\’ Brown\’s work of art. This area was once designed to be a lake, but instead of fish, lots of beautiful wildflowers now make it their home. Pick up a flower and bee guide to spot some beauties. This is a great time to make a daisy chain and grass trumpet for your \’5 Things\’.

Original watercolours by Patricia Tout – great colours and depth of picture.

In the year of Vote 100, help us choose great British women to sit in our modern day Temple of British Worthies. Vote for your worthy women then come back later in the year to see who was chosen.0

Weaving is a way of producing cloth by interlacing yarns at right angles. There are many methods of weaving. Come and look at the different looms we have for you to experiment on.

Celebrate women\’s history with a tour talking about our most influential women at Croome. 0

Learn more about the rare High Brown Fritillary and where to spot them in this informative trail for adults. Heddon Valley is home to some of the rarest butterflies in the country, including the High Brown Fritillary. If you want to know more, this informative trail will help you discover some of the best spots to see these beautiful butterflies and learn about how we care for the special landscape in which they thrive. Pick up your trail from the National Trust shop.

Celebrate 100 years of women\’s right to vote inthe UKDiscover the stories and impact of the women who have visited Claremont and shaped its future.

This Summer rekindles your youth as we launch our Summer of Sport! Take to our track and compete in classic sports day activities. Once you have your victory, take your position on a nature-themed Winners Podium and be proud as you declare yourself the number 1 sports day athlete with our social media #tag #Rowallane.

Take the opportunity to discover this important historic house in Cornwall, during the house open week.The historic Godolphin house is open; soak up the atmosphere and history as you wander through each room. Take a seat in front of the fire and read more about the history of Godolphin house, ask a volunteer a question or perhaps watch the short film about the conservation work.

Returning once again, enjoy seeing the winning entries from this prestigious national photographic competition.0

Marvel at the beautiful creations in this exhibition using the traditional craft techniques of embroidery and spinning.This exhibition is a collaboration of two local craft guilds, displaying their creations using traditional craft techniques that have been inspired by Chirk Castle from it\’s medieval beginnings until the present day.

A fascinating exhibition from local branches of the Embroiderers\’ Guild, responding to the history and landscape of Chirk Castle.The exhibition will use three and two dimensional work to look at some of the features of Chirk Castle\’s impressive estate and fascinating history.On weekends meet members of the local guilds responsible for the exhibition. Some works are for sale, for more details please see the catalogue of the exhibition.Normal admission applies (National Trust members free).

This 10 minute talk will equip visitors with the skills to understand the architecture of Wray Castle – inside and out.You\’ll be able to learn how the Gothic Revival style came about, how the practicalities of an early Victorian house were fitted in and how the Dawson\’s personalised their new house.

This 10 minute talk introduces the Dawsons, the upwardly mobile middle class couple from Liverpool, who built Wray Castle and made a new life in the Lake District.James and Margaret Dawson were a middle-class couple, products of the Industrial Revolution in Liverpool. Upon retirement, and inheriting a large amount of money, they built a statement home in the Lake District. In this short talk, you\’ll hear about the building of Wray Castle and their life there.

This 45 minute outdoor guided tour takes in the theatrical architecture of Wray Castle together with its picturesque setting.You\’ll be able to learn how the Dawson\’s expressed their ancestry and position through the highly imposing building, and what they did with the surroundings to make their home feel like it\’d been there for centuries. The tour will also take in some of the current restoration projects taking place, as well as showing photographs of other estate buildings you might want to walk to after your tour.

The 15th century was all about superstitions, from spoons to sleeping patterns to ward off wicked spirits. Come and uncover the Tudors\’ quirky traditions for yourself.

We\’re having a bug bonanza at Erddig!Our house team is always on the hunt for bugs that could damage our collection. With 10 to find, join the trail to see if you can spot our big bugs hiding in the rooms of the house.The outdoor trail features both welcome and unwelcome garden guests with 10 in total to find. Look out for our information panels to find out more about the good, bad and the ugly. See if you can spot our two new insects including a hummingbird hawk moth and a sabre wasp. From 4 May – 30 June.

Pick up a trail from Visitor Reception to discover what bugs can be found throughout the house. Follow a trail map through the house to learn more about the big bugs the conservation team works daily to fight.

Join instructors from the Big Tree Company and climb into the canopy of our giant horse chestnut.

An evocative special exhibition commemorating the end of the First World WarWhere Poppies Blow tells the story of a doomed generation, including poet Edward Thomas, author of Adelstrop, who fought to protect the fields, flowers and birds of Britain. Curated by award-winning author John Lewis-Stempel, it reveals the importance of the British countryside and sense of place as an incentive to join up, and the solace nature afforded to men in the trenches. A first set of evocative exhibits will be on display until 8 July with a second set from 16 July. Closed 9-15 July.

Take a walking tour of Dudmaston\’s eclectic mix of Modern Art.Sir George Labouchere once said that seeing a collection of abstract art made him feel as if he\’d had \’a number of very good cocktails.\’ Meet our art volunteer and immerse yourself in the stories behind the paintings in our Modern Art collection. Cocktails sadly not included. This is a free activity and spaces are limited.

Cook a delicious 3 course meal in our homemade mud ovens With our campfire chef Alan on hand we provide everything you need to cook you and your family a delicious 3 course meal on our basic mud oven. Suitable for ages 8+

Discover a piece of Berrington\’s past on display for the first time. From May onwards, observe up close the exquisite eighteenth Century Court Mantua dress once belonging to Ann Bangham, future wife of Thomas Harley and the first lady of Berrington Hall. It is to be displayed in a completely new and thought provoking way which incorporates the work of local artist, Lorna Brown. So join us this May to discover a rare piece from Berrington\’s past and learn the story of Ann\’s climb to power as an \’ordinary woman\’.

Pack your bags for an adventure as we discover the incredible journeys made by the people ofQuarry Bank. Based on newly written stories by Berlie Doherty with beautiful illustrations by Emma Baldwin.Taking inspiration from the diaries, letters and photographs in the Quarry Bank archive, we\’rerecreating, rewriting and reinventing incredible journeys made to and from Quarry Bank. On aninteractive trail and with a host of exciting events all summer you can go on a journey into the pastand your own imagination.

Step back in time to meet the inhabitants of Dunster Castle and discover their stories on this family trail.A trail of tales takes you from the modern day to the Viking invasion. Follow the trail around the site to solve the questions and learn more about Dunster\’s gory past.

After a year being cared for behind the scenes while the roof was being repaired the fashion collection is back with a bang and will be showing how women\’s fashion became politicised during the campaign for women\’s suffrage.0

Relax and unwind as you row yourself along the Thames in a rowing or motor boat .Fancy a punt on the River Thames? Our selection of boating options offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy the river.

Featuring Beatrix Potter\’s original artwork, handwritten letters and personal items, this new exhibition uncovers a lesser-known side to the well-loved children\’s author.Enjoy a rare chance to see Beatrix\’s sketches and illustrations up close in this new exhibition for 2018. Through a series of themed rooms, explore how Beatrix was involved in the local community, uncover her role in the formation of district nursing in the area and find out more about her position as a businesswoman and landlady.

A new woodland poetry trail rediscovering the romantic landscape of Bristol poet and bluestocking writer, Hannah More.Lace up your walking boots and follow in the footsteps of the Gibbs family to rediscover the romantic landscape of Bristol poet and bluestocking writer, Hannah More.This brand new woodland poetry trail will guide you through Tyntesfield\’s plantation where you\’ll encounter rustic summerhouses, glorious views and tales of romance, heartbreak, and despair.

Our new manor exhibition explores Benjamin Disraeli\’s political career and asks the question: what did Disraeli do for me? Our new manor exhibition explores Benjamin Disraeli\’s political career and asks the question: what did Disraeli do for me?

Explore a selection of Cliveden\’s world-renowned statuary collection, chosen exclusively by our onsite art curator.Femininity has a strong influence over Cliveden\’s sculpture collection. Discover which aspects of femininity they represent, and see how they relate to our Cliveden\’s women featured in \’Misrepresented?\’

An introductory exhibition about Robert Adam, the great Neo Classical architect and designerThis Spring at Osterley come and meet Robert Adam, the Scottish architect and designer responsible for remodelling Osterley House from 1760-1780. Discover how he was inspired by his travels in Europe on the Grand Tour, and how this is reflected in his designs for Osterley\’s magnificent interiors. See copies of his drawings and learn how he worked with the master craftsmen of the eighteenth century to create some of the most breath-taking Neo classical designs.

Canoe and Kayak is back for 2018 once again we\’ll be working with Cullercoats Bike and Kayak to bring you exciting new ways to see Cragside this seasonYou\’ll have the opportunity to take part in some serious lakeside fun, whether you fancy getting adventurous on a Kayak, or peacefully paddling a canoe with your family around Tumbleton Lake, we have something for everyone

Surprising, intriguing and extraordinary… See the lost follies of the water garden re-imagined by artists and architects.Surprising, intriguing and extraordinary… These four new works are not something you\’ll see every day; they\’ll bring to life the spirit of the garden as its original designers intended it – playful, extraordinary and exciting.

This year join us for a sensory exploration of Tudor smells. Following on from last year\’s sleep project we delve further into everyday health and wellbeing from a Tudor perspective.How did the Tudors believe air and scent affected them? How did they think their body interacted with the environment around them? Find out more and discover how air and scent can keep you well in the 21st century too. Families can join in the fun with the \’You Smell!\’ trail and lots of hands on smelly activities.

Delve into Gibside\’s past through a new and exciting installation by mixed media artist Fiona Curran and visit her architectural folly by the Orangery. From Saturday 12 May to Sunday 30 September, you can discover Fiona\’s Your sweetest empire is to please, sitting alongside Mary Eleanor\’s original orangery within the gardens. Fiona\’s artwork reflects her interest in historical landscape, ownership and gender politics, and has created a folly that explores Mary Eleanor\’s love for botany during a time when women enjoying hobbies was slightly taboo.

Experience Georgian splendour of the gardens from a contemporary take on a Georgian pavilion.Discover an installation in our Walled Garden from internationally renowned artists Heather and Ivan Morison. Taking their inspiration from how the Harley\’s enjoyed their garden in the Georgian era, you can see the garden in a totally new light. Go on, take a look!

Some sneaky creatures have found their way into the house, find out some facts as you try spot them! (*closed on Saturdays)Some sneaky creatures have found their way into the house, find out some facts as you try spot them! (*closed on Saturdays)

Discover the lives of the women that worked at Levant Mine.As part of the Women on the Tin Coast: The Double Shift programme, visit the temporary exhibition at Levant to find out about the women that worked at the mine. Based on the records for Levant Mine from 1844-1920, discover the stories of the bal maidens and counthouse women who carried out vital work at the mines.

New for the Long Gallery 2018 open season for 2018 the National Portrait Gallery\’s special exhibition will be \’Elizabeth of Bohemia : the Winter Queen\’ and will feature contemporary portraits of this fascinating woman and those connected to her.

As part of the National Trust\’s \’Women and Power\’ programme in 2018, we take a look at Lord Curzon\’s anti-suffrage stance.Visit the West Tower in the castle for our exhibition as we explore the reality of the resistance to the suffrage campaign with Lord Curzon\’s leadership of the anti-suffrage movement.

2018 marks 100 years since some women were granted a parliamentary vote. To mark the centenary we are celebrating the women who significantly contributed to the history of Sutton Hoo. Discover about the legacy left by an Anglo-Saxon Queen… In the Exhibition Hall Treasury you will find three hand-crafted wall hangings made by Sutton Hoo\’s closest primary school Melton. The hangings depict the role the Queen may have had in orchestrating the burial in Mound One and what story she was perhaps telling through the objects she buried with her husband.

Get closer to nature at Britain\’s most southerly point. The unique geology and maritime climate makes Lizard Point a perfect environment for a variety of flora and fauna. To see and learn more about the abundance of wildlife that lives here visit our Wildlife Watchpoint open daily from 1am – 4pm (weather permitting). Some of the regular highlights are wild Cornish choughs and Atlantic grey seals.

Cotehele\’s First World War exhibition features photos, trench art and personal items loaned from members of the local community.Not many people are aware that Cotehele House is a war memorial. To commemorate the centenary of the First World War we are holding an exhibition of items loaned from members of the local community, who have generously shared their stories with us.

Find out how the National Trust redecorated, furnished and opened Mompesson to visitors in 1977 in our exhibition upstairs. In 1975 the National Trust inherited an empty house following the death of the last resident Denis Martineau. Over the next two years the National Trust refashioned the house as it might have been in its Georgian heyday. This involved choosing appropriate colours to paint the panelling and ornamental plasterwork and acquiring paintings, furniture and objects to fill the empty rooms.

As part of the National Trust\’s Women and Power programme for 218, we are celebrating 1 years of women getting the vote by telling two stories of women from Killerton and their roles at the heart of the fight for votes for women, on opposing sides.

Lost Voices explores the experiences of women whose stories were not heard, and which are often lost to us today because of their age, status or means. Installations across Quarry Bank will bring their voices to life.In 1918 women in Britain were finally given the right to vote, but only if they were over 30 and owned property. This meant that for the majority female workforce in the cotton mill at Quarry Bank, nothing changed. They didn\’t receive the vote for another 10 years.

A new exhibition of inspiring artworks in the South Pavilion.0

From May Polesden Lacey launches a new programme, Power Play, exploring the social power of inimitable Edwardian socialite Margaret Greville. Power Play is part of the National Trust\’s Women and Power programme, exploring women\’s lives voices and achievements, marking 100 years since the Representation of the People Act granted some women the right to vote. Polesden Lacey\’s new programme will explore how Maggie Greville became so influential, and more importantly, how she took advantage of her influence and power.

Tin worker, seamstress, home-maker, mother, cook, teacher…the roles of Women behind the workforce at Aberdulais.Within the \’Woman\’s Work\’ exhibition, discover the women behind the workforce and their crucial role to the rise of the tinworks industry. The exhibition will give you a flavour of the daily demands facing women during the tinworks boom and decline, and try your hand at Victorian life. The exhibition will run daily at Aberdulais, in our exhibition room. Normal admissions apply, free for National Trust Members

Pick up a map to explore the follies and let your creativity run wild!There\’s art in the garden but it\’s not paintings, and it\’s not in a gallery…The artworks are in the garden and they\’re just for fun – we call them follies. Use this map to explore! Let your creativity out and decide whether you think the follies are fabulous…or not!

Our living exhibition in the kitchen garden will enable you to taste flowers, learn about their nutritional value and then eat more as ingredients in our tasty Orangery caf� food.Our living exhibition in the kitchen garden will enable you to taste flowers, learn about their nutritional value and then eat more as ingredients in our tasty Orangery caf� food.

If you are visiting in the morning please book on one of our Highlights Tour, the only way to see the property until 1:30pm. Our volunteer guides will share the stories behind William and Janey\’s red brick house.Guided highlights tours are the only way to visit the property in the morning. This tour will share the highlights of Red House and the stories of the 5 years that William and Janey Morris spent here with their family and friends.

Join our experienced ranger guides on a free tour of the park as they share how we care for our historic landscape.Our park is home to all kinds of wildlife, from our beautiful deer herd through to our ancient trees. And of course, humans have had their say over this place, too. Find out about some of the stories of how this land has changed across the centuries.

An introduction to the history of Waddesdon ManorJoin one of our volunteer garden guides on a 45 minute walk to explore the history of the gardens, the Manor and the Rothschild family. This walk goes through the grounds on paved and gravel paths. Hosted daily at 11.30am (also 2pm on Wed & Fri).

Discover the history of Waddesdon ManorA 20 minute talk by one of our House Guides, uncovering an aspect of Waddesdon\’s extraordinary collection and history. A different topic will be covered each day, with guides discussing their areas of interest and expertise.

A tale of two parts, revisit the abbey\’s monastic past before experiencing the Georgian splendour of the water garden. 11am Abbey tour Meet at Porter\’s Lodge1pm Abbey tour Meet at Porter\’s Lodge2pm Garden tour Meet at Silver Pond, near Studley entranceThese free tours last about 1 hour. Any questions? If you don\’t have time for a tour but have something you\’d like to ask, visit one of our guides as you stroll the estate. 12-1pm and 2-3pm in the abbey cloister 1-2pm at Silver Pond, near Studley entrance

Join one of Stourhead\’s volunteers on a guided introduction to the new Genius story at Stourhead. Discover more about the Hoare family who created this special place on a walk through the garden that was described as \’a living work of art\’.

Discover the history of Rothschild wineHave the history of the Rothschild wine brought to life in this free 20-minute talk on the Rothschilds and their wines. Talks are conducted by our expert house guides, who will take you on a journey through the history of over 15,000 bottles of historic wines in the cellars, dating back to 1898You can also see the collection of Mouton Rothschild wine labels which have been designed by famous artists including Picasso, Dali, Jeff Koons and even Prince Charles.

Come on a guided walk of the gardens led by our experienced and knowledgeable garden rangers. The walk will take in the seasonal highlights, including stars of the Nymans collection. The garden rangers will also share the Nymans story, which includes a brief history of the Messel family and their home, how the gardens were created and how it is being cared for now.

Discover the beauty of the Water Garden.A wonderful opportunity to enjoy a free 45 minute peaceful walk around the beautiful Water Garden located in the grounds of The Dairy. Public access to this garden is limited and these guided walks only take place on Wednesdays.Originally built and planted to be at its most beautiful in the spring time, the Water Garden provides visitors with a chance to see and enjoy a wealth of unusual planting, rock formations and wildlife.

Join our guide and learn more about the hidden archaeology of the 1640s house now encased within Brown\’s stunning 1750s neo classical mansion.Explore the basement of the hidden 1640\’s house.

Relax and unwind as you glide along the Thames in one of our skippered boats.Our selection of boating options offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy the river on a 45 minute cruise down Cliveden\’s Thames stretch.

Artist Mark Fairnington will present a series of miniature oil paintings at Cherryburn this seasonThe oil paintings have been made to reflect Cherryburn, the surrounding landscape, and the work of Thomas Bewick. Mark has been inspired by a series of walks he has made around Cherryburn and Northumberland. This exhibition is part of Mapping Contemporary Art in the Heritage Experience, a major new research project led by Newcastle and Leeds Universities: http://research.ncl.ac.uk/mcahe

Discover the unseen spaces of Osterley House on our top floor tours. Visit the family rooms of Osterley House and hear the history of the Child family, the wealthy bankers who commissioned John Adam to renovate the house into the Georgian party manor, as it remains to this day. Spaces are limited and must be reserved on the day of your visit, so request tickets from our VE team at the House entrance as soon as you arrive at Osterley. Tours are free for members; normal admission applies for non-members, and tours are subject to volunteer availability.

Join our experienced ranger guides on a free tour of the park as they share how we care for our historic landscape, with a glimpse of the deer too, if you\’re lucky. Our park is home to all kinds of wildlife, from our beautiful deer herd through to our ancient trees. And of course, humans have had their say over this place, too. Find out about some of the stories of how this land has changed across the centuries.It\’s the best way to end your visit to Dyrham, as the tour ends in the car park, so you can soak up all that Dyrham has to offer to the very last moment.

Settle down with a hot cuppa and a gripping read in Nostell\’s second-hand book shop. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 12 – 4pm from Saturday 14 April until Sunday 28 October 2018.You\’ll find many titles to choose from at very reasonable prices. From cookery, gardening and history books to crime, romance and historical fiction, you\’ll be spoilt for choice.

Discover the woman behind the title. With a new exhibition in the house discover Theodora, the 4th Marchioness of Bristol – a thoroughly modern woman whose vision, passion and commitment helped to seal the future of the Ickworth we experience today.

Explore Cecilia Strickland\’s life at Sizergh in the eighteenth century, through her own words.Uncover the story of one of Sizergh\’s influential eighteenth-century residents, Cecilia Strickland, as her experiences of love, loss and hope are brought to life in a new exhibition through the house and gardens inspired by her surviving letters.

You can pre-book any time up to the DAY BEFORE your visit. There is no charge to reserve a mansion key. Entry to Belton is free for members. Non members pay for admission on arrival at Belton. All visitors to the house will require their own key.It isn\’t possible to pre-order mansion keys on the day of your visit, however they\’re available on a first come first served basis at the property. For more information please go to https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house/features/your-key-to-unlock-beltons-treasures or call 01476 566116

A new exhibition in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery showcasing diverse portraits of influential women who have made an outstanding contribution to art and culture, from Judi Dench to Amy Winehouse and J.K. Rowling.You never know who you might see in the saloon galleries at Beningbrough Hall.

An intimate guided tour of 575 Wandsworth Road is the only way to see this unique home of Khadambi Asalache, a Kenyan-born poet, novelist and civil servant who over the course of a twenty year period he turned his home into a work of art.Tours last just over an hour and are hosted by one of dedicated volunteer tour guides. Beginning with a short introductory talk around the dining room table, there will be an opportunity to explore the house in the order the rooms were created.

Explores the work of leading glass artists in Britain today. #ArtofGlass Over the last 50 years Britain has had a significant impact on how glass is perceived as an art form. Many artists have based themselves here, drawn to the teaching and world-renowned facilities the UK offers. Presented in partnership with The National Centre for Craft & Design, this exhibition examines the diverse work of glass artists working in Britain today. Explore how they are embracing the medium of glass in new ways, and see a selection of outstanding works that reveal a snapshot of glass art.

An artistic celebration of Drake\’s famous circumnavigation of the worldAn exhibition in partnership with Devon Art Pop who will interpret the story of Drake\’s voyage through a variety of artistic pieces

Our new Object in Focus series showcases items from Ralph Dutton\’s personal collection. First in the series, featuring part of our collection previously unseen by the public, this exhibition focuses on Ralph Dutton\’s passion for ceramics.Normal admission prices apply.