You’ve all done very well!

A trio of performers from our resident Orchestra The Volante Strings will enchant with a lunchtime recital at The Firs.Jennie Jones on Violin, Amanda Salmon on Viola and Corinne Frost on Cello will delight audiences with a charming recital.

Join a history tour to hear all about Gibside and how it came to be.The vision of coal baron George Bowes, Gibside is one of the few surviving 18th century designed landscape gardens. It was fashioned with two things in mind – spectacular views and \’wow\’ moments. Today it offers a glimpse into the past and the compelling story of heiress Eleanor Bowes, which is packed with tragedy, romance, scandal and triumph.

Every Friday, drop in between 1pm and 3pm and meet the conservation team. Plus you can see objects from the Beatrix Potter Gallery collection not normally on display.An opportunity to ask those questions you\’ve always wanted to know about conservation, and hear about how the collection is managed. You\’ll see objects that belonged to Beatrix Potter and are not usually on display to the public, such as early editions of Beatrix\’s books or her jewellery.

We are continuing to work towards \’unlocking\’ more rooms in Polesden Lacey House, guest bedrooms, corridors, & the King\’s suite, for everyone to enjoy.This involves structural work and extensive funding to restore the rooms and will take some years to achieve.The Unseen Spaces Tour will give you a preview of these spaces while the work is in progress and you will be able to see rooms that have never been open to the public before.

Join this guided walk to discover Brimham\’s history, from the last ice age that helped form these weird and wonderful rock formations, to the stories of the people who lived here and called Brimham home.Let our guide walk and talk you through the last 320 milion years in a 90 minute journey around the rocks and moorland. During this time you will hear all about the geology of the site, the stories of the people who lived in Brimham House and the important conservation work the Ranger team do to look after the special moorland.

Tim Laycock weaves together the writings of Hardy and Barnes on the realities of country life in the winter months.The Hard Times of Old England. The folksongs and stories of rural communities living on the edge are powerful, poignant and occasionally very funny. Tim Laycock weaves together the writings of Thomas Hardy and William Barnes on the realities of country life in the winter months.This event is free, suggested donation �2.

Join in this free weekly 5km timed run through the parkland, which is open to everyone, free, safe and easy to take part in.People of every ability are encouraged to get involved; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; all are welcome. Starting from the Stables the two lap course takes you through Nostell\’s woodland and rolling parkland. You\’ll need to register at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/nostellpriory/ before you come along for your first run.

Join our free friendly 5K family run every Saturday of the year, 9am start. It\’s not a race but a timed run along the same off-road course each week marshalled by volunteers. Supervised children and dogs on leads are welcome to join in too.Register at parkrun.org.uk/Killerton

Whether you\’re new to running, a youngster or an Olympic athlete, all runners are welcome at Gibside parkrun, a free 5km timed run every Saturday at 9am.It\’s an opportunity to enjoy running in a historic garden where the background noise includes birdsong, perhaps a lawnmower or two, and not much else. The route will take you along the avenue road, past the Hall ruin, through the woodland to make your way back to the beginning. If you\’re new to parkrun and need to register, please visit the parkrun website – www.parkrun.org.uk

Get hands on with helping care for special places, by joining the Rangers as we give this beautiful sandy beach a springtime spruce up.By cleaning South Milton Sands beach, we can ensure this wonderful area stays in ship-shape for visitors every year, and protect the marine wildlife that live along our shores.The rangers will be on hand with litter pickers and bags to start the collection, and every helping hand is appreciated.

Enjoy a three mile walk through the rollingcountryside of the Demesne and discoverthe wealth of wildlife, history and stunninglandscape of this unique estate.Enjoy a three mile walk through the rolling countryside of the Demesne and discover the wealth of wildlife, history and stunning landscape of this unique estate. Suitable for children aged 8 years plus with accompanying adult. Stout walking boots required. Well behaved dogs on leads only.Meet at Mount Stewart reception.

Learn how to light a fire without matches, and then mix up some tasty dough to cook on a stick over the campfire.

Take a peek inside one of Croome\’s eye-catchers, usually closed to the public. With fantastic panoramic views of Worcester from the top of the tower you\’ll understand why it was chosen as a viewing platform designed by James Wyatt. FREE, donations are welcome. Sensible footwear is required. Parking spaces are limited.

A chance to explorer the Duver with the ranger for the site, taking a closer look at the sand and shingle habitat and the impact high water has on this fragile area.Rising sea levels are a global issue, and right here at St Helens Duver the impact of them can already be seen. On this guided walk, our ranger will explain about the special sand and shingle habitats and the creature that live here, and show you the impact the ever increasing tide is having on them.

Tim Laycock brings Thomas Hardy\’s home to life with music and stories from Hardy\’s own time. Suggested donation of �3 to Tim Laycock himself.There will be three performances, each lasting approximately 25 minutes, between 1pm and 4pm. The performances will take place in the Drawing Room. Seating is limited and as there is no booking it will be on a first come first served basis.

Join professional basket maker Helen Lomberg as she teaches you to make a willow structure for your garden.

Take in the early morning air and discover the sounds of Spring with local Bird expert Ed Drewitt.You\’ll have to be an early bird to take part though!

Gibside is delighted to host Great Run Local who organise free weekly 2km and 5km timed runs that are open to everyone and are safe and easy to take part in.The runs will take place at Gibside each Sunday throughout the year. To find out more about Great Run Local and to register please visit the Great Run Local website – www.greatrunlocal.org

Explore secrets of this unusual nature reserve with a ranger and learn more about its history, wildlife and our conservation work to help wading birdsJoin a ranger to discover this unique nature reserve hidden away on the Norfolk Broads. Along the way find out more about the site, experience its important wildlife and hear about our important conservation work to help wading birds and other wildlife. Walk approximately 2 miles long over uneven terrain.

If these walls could talk…Join one of our knowledgeable guides as they bring to life the dramatic history of this fascinating building.

Enjoy one of our delicious Sunday roast lunches in the stables caf�. Made using local produce, much of it grown in our very own Kitchen Garden, it\’s the perfect way to warm up after your winter walk and treat yourself after exploring everything that Knightshayes has to offer.

Explore parts of the property not normally open to visitors. Note – tours will involve several flights of stairs.

Prized Possessions celebrates the enduring British taste for collecting Dutch paintings and explores how and why this style of Art was desired, commissioned and displayed.The Trust cares for one of the largest and most significant collections of art in the UK including many important seventeenth-century Dutch paintings acquired by country house owners for over 300 years. The exhibition includes works by celebrated artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Lely, Gabriel Metsu and Cornelis de Heem.

Join us at Home Farm to see newborn lambs from Calke\’s rare-breed Portland sheep flock.Lambing at Home Farm is a wonderful opportunity to see newborn lambs with their mothers. If you\’re lucky, you might even see a lamb being born.

Go behind the ropes on this special tour.Take a peek behind closed doors and discover parts of the Castle you won\’t have seen before on this 45 minute tour. Tours are running throughout the day and are not pre-bookable.

An age-old story revealed through the voices of modern womenAnother chance to see the acclaimed exhibition \’We are Bess\’ which reveals a new side to Bess of Hardwick\’s story through the voices and experiences of modern day women.From household names to local Derbyshire women, the portraits of 16 modern women, taken by award-winning photographer Rachel Adams, sit alongside the Tudor portraits in the Long Gallery. An additional four women will join the original 16 \’We are Bess\’ women.

During the weekends of March, drop in and help us celebrate the arrival of spring with this creative activity.In the former Drawing Room, we\’re celebrating the arrival of spring by creating a sky of birds and a paper meadow. You can join in by making a bird or a flower, which will then be added to the overall display at the end of the day. As the days go by, and more and more birds and flowers are created, the bigger and more celebratory display it will be.

Shh, don\’t tell mum, but you can plant a special present to take home for her for Mother\’s Day.Join us to make a gift for mum that just keeps growing. You\’ll get to plant up your very own flower and decorate its pot for a present she\’ll never forget!�4 per child, no need to book.All money raised from the sales of trails helps us look after Morden Hall Park – for ever for everyone.

Join a history tour to hear all about Gibside and how it came to be.The vision of coal baron George Bowes, Gibside is one of the few surviving 18th century designed landscape gardens. It was fashioned with two things in mind – spectacular views and \’wow\’ moments. Today it offers a glimpse into the past and the compelling story of heiress Eleanor Bowes, which is packed with tragedy, romance, scandal and triumph.

There\’ll be scavenger hunts, planting pots and other activities at Lodge Park this Spring.Throughout the Spring you can join our scavenger hunt, to find and do things throughout the grandstand and the woodland walk. You can also join us for activities during the school half-term with things like building dens, or planting plots.The scavenger hunt will be free to collect from the front desk every day that we\’re open. Activities will be �1 per child, these will be on certain weekend days, TBC.

Get up close to an enormous tiger and the beloved artwork from Judith Kerr�s much-loved children�s classic picture book, \’The Tiger Who Came To Tea\’.Celebrating the book\’s 50th anniversary and over five million copies sold, The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition will come to Gunby as part of a nationwide tour.The magic of The Tiger Who Came to Tea story is brought vividly to life with a giant cuddly tiger and an interactive kitchen, so that children can make their own tea for the tiger, as well as enjoying Judith Kerr\’s iconic drawings.

Manor TourJoin a member of the house team for a 45 minute tour behind the scenes. See our conservation work in action and get a sneak peep into some of our store rooms.

A 10-minute talk explaining the journey this extraordinary building has been on; from family home to institution to public place.Wray Castle�s life has been divided equally between family home and institution. Laboratories and training colleges occupied it until recently when the last tenants left. This is a tale of 20th century survival when so many country houses disappeared.

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

This 45 minute outdoor guided tour takes in the theatrical architecture of Wray Castle together with its picturesque setting.You\’ll hear about how the Dawsons\’ 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.

This 10 minute talk introduces the Dawsons, a 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 after 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 it\’s estate, and about their life there.

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.

When was the Old Post Office a Post Office? An exploration of the postal history of North Cornwall and Tintagel Old Post Office.

Samphire Quilters, a quilting group from Kings Lynn, were given a challenge to make a cushion showing \’The Secret Patterns of Peckover House\’. They were given a photograph and asked to interpret the pattern.Will you be able to find the pattern?The group could use any sewing method to show their design and hope you enjoy looking at their work.

Following the death of Alexandrina\’s father, Lord Alexander Peckover, in 1919, his valuable book collection was sold off. In the centenary of Lord Peckover\’s death, we wish to tell the story of his \’Lost Library\’ and wider collecting interests. We have copies of the Sotheby\’s sale catalogues and they reveal a very significant collection that is now dispersed across the world. We will have on loan several original Peckover books on display in the library.

Our first exhibition of 2019 explores humankind�s relationship with the beautiful Lakeland landscape through a range of thought-provoking voices.An exhibition exploring nature�s power to shape us and the impact we, in turn, have on the environment. Contributors include writers Robert Macfarlane, Sarah Hall and George Monbiot, artist Julian Heaton Cooper and others living and working in the Lakes.

A self-guided walk around the Estate to see the first signs of snowdrops.Follow the snowdrops around the estate on a self-led walk. The best clusters of snowdrops are expected at Blenheim Lawn, Stable Bank and Ilex Grove (weather depending). Please remember snowdrops are a very fragile plant, and stepping around them will likely cause sevre damage. You can help protect them by not standing in the areas of growth or letting young children or dogs into the area. Please call in advance to confirm the status of the snowdrops.

Wild garlic carpets the garden in spring, with a sprinkling of tiny flowers, and a delicate scent.We encourage you to collect a paper bag from reception and forage for the best leaves to take home. There will also be recipe cards to pick up, to give you a little inspiration for some wild garlic dishes.

Our 2019 exhibition tells the untold story of former resident Jinny Townsend and focuses on her life in Salisbury\’s Cathedral Close and her courtship and eventual marriage to Willie Hammick.

Have a go at some of the activities Jinny Townsend enjoyed doing when she lived at Mompesson.

The route to relaxation walk is all about finding some quiet time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of spring.We all need some quiet time to think and recharge our batteries. Our popular route to relaxation walk is back to provide you with the tools you need to take some time for yourself. We invite you to turn off your phone and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of spring at Gibside. You can simply follow the route which takes in Gibside�s quieter paths or engage with our suggested relaxing activities designed to help you switch off, the choice is yours.

A new exhibition of inspiring artworks in the South Pavilion.

Join us at Upton House this spring to see an exclusive collection of vintage posters from London�s Tottenham Court Road furniture store – Heal�s.Coinciding with the final year of our Made-To-Measure story, the exhibition will illustrate the inter-war vogue for modern living and furnishing. Like Shell, Heal�s also employed the talent of British modern artists to promote the store�s designs. You will be able to see a selection of their advertising posters and ephemera, which showcase the range of commercial art created for the store from the early 1920s to the 1980s.

Come and test your skills of outdoors play, balance and adventure. We�ve installed new equipment in the woodland for the family to explore.

See the gardens in a new light as the students from the Hereford Colleges of Arts offer you the chance to reflect on the land that surrounds Berrington with a fresh perspective.As part of our Walled Garden and Pleasure Grounds Restoration Project we are working in partnership with the Hereford College of Arts. In this Land Art Project you will have the opportunity to see a series of artworks threaded throughout the walled garden, pleasure grounds and parkland. All of which will connect to Berrington�s history, how the students interpret the site and our walled garden project.

Experience Georgian splendour of the gardens with 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!

Crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops, primroses and hellebores; the flowers of Spring burst into glorious life at The Courts garden.Every visit to The Courts throughout March will be different as the flowers wake up after a long winter\’s rest. A visit to one of the most beautiful small gardens in Wiltshire will restore your spirits after the cold months.

Pick up a copy of our “Spring Sensory Walk” and discover new ways to interact with our garden with this self-led walk.

Our 2019 programme explores the lives of the artists and craftspeople whose skills built the Stourhead we know today. Discover the builders, gardeners, furniture-makers and artists who left their mark on Stourhead.

Enjoy a special season of films programmed in partnership with�Filmhouse to celebrate the new Robots exhibition.Developed by the Science Museum, this major exhibition reveals the 500-year quest to make machines human and presents the most significant collection of humanoid robots ever assembled. Films include A.I. – Artificial Intelligence, Robot & Frank, Robocop, Star Trek – First Contact, and Alien, among many more.

Step into Beatrix\’s beloved farmhouse and view her treasured possessions away from the crowds every closed Friday.A chance to see Hill Top out of hours and get up close to items from the Beatrix Potter collection. Outside of the school holidays Hill Top closes on a Friday; see the dates listed below for more detail. This allows for essential care to take place, and is a perfect opportunity for a quieter experience of Beatrix\’s farmhouse.

Learn something new with the University of Edinburgh�s Centre for Open Learning courses at the National Museum of Scotland

Embroidered Stories: Scottish Samplers will showcase a small selection of embroideries drawn from over 500 Scottish samplers in the collection of Leslie Durst – an American with a passion for Scotland.0

Get an insight into the lives of children in the 18th and 19th centuries through this unique collection of Scottish samplers on loan from American collector Leslie B. Durst.

A welcome return to the world of Norman Thelwell, featuring plump ponies, social satire and idyllic local landscapes.There\’ll be old favourites on show, including the antics of iconic characters Penelope and her mischievous pony, Kipper. The exhibition also includes other satirical cartoons, with astute and amusing observations on country life, and breathtaking landscape art. Some of this work has never been publically shown before, including a selection of Thelwell�s early sketches.

Budding landscapers and artists can make their mark throughout this spring trail to celebrate the creativity that went into designing Shugborough Estate.

From early mechanised human forms to today�s cutting-edge technology, this major exhibition reveals our 500-year quest to make machines human.

Join a tour to discover the work taking place on the nineteenth century cowshed at the rear of the House which marks the latest project in the programme of conservation at Godolphin.Join a tour to discover the work taking place on the nineteenth century cowshed at the rear of the House which marks the latest project in the programme of conservation at Godolphin. Tours will be running on select dates please call 01736 763194 to check availability before your visit.

How would you have looked if you had been alive during the Victorian period? In the house, peruse our costume rail and pick yourself a Victorian outfit to try on.Please note those dressed as servants might be given work to do about the house.

Something has been guzzling away at a piece of historic fabric at The Vyne. On this creepy-crawly challenge, use what you learn about bugs to work out which one did it.After picking up your �1 trail sheet from Visitor Reception, your task is to explore the house and learn about the different bugs that like to live there. Afterwards, see if you can work out which of these pesky pests has been feasting on the fabric shown on your activity sheet.

On this family trail through the gardens, see if you can find ten Victorian children that used to live at The Vyne.Pick up your �1 trail sheet from Visitor Reception and look out for Martha Chute�s ten children in The Vyne�s gardens.

William Wiggett Chute�s children have been playing in the woods. Unfortunately, these young Victorian adventurers have managed to lose four of their toys along the way. Can you help the children find them again?To get started, all you need is a free account with geocaching.com/play and the official Geocaching� app or a GPS. Or, if you prefer something a bit less digital, you can pick up a map at Visitor Reception. Normal admission applies.

View the thought provoking sculptures in and around the house. Commissions taken and items for sale.

Step into a magical environment and experience award-winning artist Serena Korda\’s new sculptural sound installation, inspired by the fascinating story of hidden rebellions at Speke Hall. This installation is supported by the Bluecoat and part of Trust New Art.

Step into a magical environment and experience award-winning artist Serena Korda\’s new sculptural sound installation, inspired by the fascinating story of hidden rebellions at Speke Hall. This installation is supported by the Bluecoat and part of Trust New Art.

Step into a magical environment and experience award-winning artist Serena Korda\’s new sculptural sound installation, inspired by the fascinating story of hidden rebellions at Speke Hall. This installation is supported by the Bluecoat and part of Trust New Art.

Go behind the scenes on a tour of our state-of-the-art collections research centre in Granton, Edinburgh

Discover how brass and copper once featured as mediums of exchange, status and power in Africa through highlights of the museum�s 19th and early 20th century collections from west and central Africa.

An exceptional exhibition of five recent works centred around landscapes by international contemporary artist Grayson Perry.Includes the epic Battle of Britain Tapestry and the intricate etchings of Map of an Englishman and Map of Days

Have a go at orienteering at Ilam Park – our permanent course is available all year round, whatever the weather. Ideal for beginners, families, dog walkers and school groups.No booking needed, just purchase the orienteering map for �1.50 from the shop at Ilam Park and off you go!

Discover the curious world of Victorian funerary traditions and explore items from Hughenden\’s collection relating to the demise of its most famous resident – Benjamin Disraeli.

From Victoria R – The royal gifts of HughendenBenjamin Disraeli, Hughenden\’s famous resident, was Queen Victoria\’s favourite prime minister. Discover the stories behind the gifts she gave him.

Join one of the gardeners and enjoy a seasonal tour of the gardens discovering its short but interesting history and amazing collection of plants.

The Beatrix Potter Gallery\’s exhibition for 2019, which looks at the everlasting popularity of Beatrix\’s \’little white books\’.Featuring original artwork from some of Beatrix Potter�s most popular \’little white books�, �Telling Tales� looks at why, over 100 years after the publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, her delightful characters still resonate with so many of us today.

A new painting by Antony Bridge, Croome�s artist-in-residences, commissioned by Croome makes its debut using the same view as Richard Wilson�s famous landscape painting.Paintings by Wilson and new images by Bridge, promise that this exhibition will be both colourful and enticing

Artist Kashif Nadim Chaudry�s new installation is inspired by Croome�s history as a residential Boys School.Working with ex-pupils and children in-care to examine the question �what is home�, this stunning, thought provoking installation showcases real-life stories through personal objects.

To celebrate the acquisition of the generous gift of a large number of early Rossetti sketches, we are launching our new exhibition on Monday 4 March 2019.With information from Lady Mander\’s seminal biography, \’Portrait of Rossetti\’, see how Rossetti\’s early art and poetry developed into the style we celebrate today.