National Trust launches its Summer of Play events for the kids' school holidays
With the kids set to break up for their school holidays any day now, it's time to start planning how you're going to keep them active and engaged for the next six weeks. Lots of time outdoors is always a winner, which is why National Trust's newly-launched Summer of Play events are ideal.
The events will take place at locations all over the country at various National Trust locations, and you'll get everything from pop up sports days and nature walks to arts and crafts and mini theatres for budding performers. This is now the third year that the Summer of Play events have run at the National Trust sites, making them a well-established way for the kids to pass the time during the school holidays.
Whilst the Summer of Play events are completely free of charge, you will need to pay the standard admission fee to access the Trust's sites where they're held. All National Trust sites are free to under fives, carers and National Trust members, but older children and adults will need to pay admission to the sites.
You can opt to pay a one off admission fee to the site you're wanting to visit, or you could always purchase an annual membership for the family which lets you access all of the UK's National Trust sites and saves you money in the process. Not to mention this gives you access to Summer of Play events across the country – perfect if you're planning a staycation or trip to visit family in other cities.
If you don't want to commit to a full year's membership, you could also check out the National Trust Explorer Pass which is great if you're not a member but plan on visiting regularly over the summer months. Giving you access to most of the sites for all the family for four, eight or 14 days, it's priced between £36 for four days and a single adult, up to £108 for 14 days for a family of four with two adults and two children.
There are also plenty of other ideas to keep your kids occupied this summer, with Visit Britain also offering passes to everything from historical sites and castles to theme parks and zoos. Red Letter Days is also great for kids of all ages (not to mention adults too), getting you discounts and easy-to-book activities ranging from safari parks to staycations and cinema tickets.
However if you want to make the most of National Trust's Summer of Play events, you can visit the website now for more information on what's happening and sites near you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Tiny UK seaside resort with white beach is full of charm but hardly any tourists
Designed to look like a Cornish village, this quaint seaside resort boasts rows of whitewashed cottages and a 3.4-mile beach - but is actually 581 miles from the UK's tourist-riddled south coast A quaint seaside resort 'steeped in character' looks like something straight out of a story book, but has incredibly managed to dodge the tourist limelight. Built in 1912, and designed to look exactly like a charming Cornish village, this tiny parish features rows of whitewashed cottages and a 3.4-mile stretch of sugar-like sands - all of which is surrounded by seemingly endless countryside. But this coastal gem is almost 600 miles from England's insufferably busy south coast, and is actually situated on the idyllic Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. Nestled at the mouth of the River Dun, and part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lies the criminally underrated village of Cushendun. Here, you won't find your typical rows of flashing arcades, swathes of fish and chip shops, or dominating Costa Coffee shops. Instead, you'll be greeted by an often-empty beach, breathtakingly beautiful scenery, and a fascinating history. With 30 miles of lush landscape at your doorstep, Cushendun is the perfect place for those wanting to escape the bustling city and get back into nature. Check out the Glens Great Grassland Trail, which winds through stunning meadowland, beaches, and through the heart of the village. For history lovers, checking out the sandstone church, which has been around since 1840, is a must. Today, it operates as a community-run arts and heritage centre which puts on a variety of performances and events throughout the year. Outside in the churchyard, you'll be able to see Ronald John McNeill's grave. This man, otherwise known as Baron Cushendun, actually built the village for his wife, Maud. Cushendun is also one of the best places in Northern Ireland to spot rare red squirrels - making it a haven for nature lovers. "While we can't guarantee a sighting, you're most likely to encounter them early in the morning or late afternoon, in the forest beside Glenmona House, where the Glens Red Squirrel Group has built an activity playground," explains the National Trust. And lastly, if you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you need to head to the beach and find the Red Caves - which were used as a film location for the cult-series. On TripAdvisor, Cushendun's beach has received a plethora of raving reviews - with many highlighting the lack of crowds compared to some of the nearby coastal towns. "I accidentally visited this beach when I took the scenic route on [my travels]," one person wrote. "It's a hidden gem: a small and really beautiful beach." Another agreed, commenting: "Gorgeous little beach with a car park and toilets nearby. Cushendun isn't as 'touristy' as some of the bigger towns and has a lovely atmosphere," while a third added: "Fabulous little beach that's never too busy with nice, calm waters. My family loves it and the corner cafe is a beautiful little place with lovely, friendly staff." If you're tempted to spend a weekend in Cushendun, you'll first need to get to Belfast. Luckily, a slew of major UK airports offer direct flights - which take on average just 45 minutes - to the city, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and London Stansted. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £28 in August. Once you've touched down in Northern Ireland, you'll need to drive almost 40 miles over to Cushendun, which takes around one hour. If you're taking public transport, this route takes an extra one hour and 27 minutes. Staying in Cushendun itself will be pretty challenging, due to its small size and lack of tourism. However, you can stay nearby in areas like Knocknacarry, without breaking the bank. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, August 8-10) at Mullarts Church will set you back £280. This is based on two people sharing a one-bedroom apartment.
Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Telegraph
The best pubs and bars in Northern Ireland
Think of Northern Ireland, and thoughts of a good pub probably aren't too far behind. This is a place with an excellent pub scene, with hundreds of traditional boozers where you can enjoy a pint by the fireside, as music plays. But there's also a burgeoning cocktail scene, particularly in Belfast, and tiny old bars that are best to cosy up in with the paper for a few hours, when it's blowing a gale outside. Whatever you're after, here are some of the best places for a tipple in Northern Ireland. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, restaurants and beaches. Search nightlife by type: Best traditional pubs Crown Liquor Saloon The poster child for Northern Irish pubs, the Crown Liquor Saloon is one of those rarities that's enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Its elaborate Victorian exterior (preserved by the National Trust, no less) is matched by a darkly cosy space inside, with carved mahogany partitions, stained glass and gunmetal plates where patrons would strike matches. Nowadays, punters make do with pints of Cornish pale ale or a snifter of Bushmills whiskey. Blake's of the Hollow A traditional boozer, The Hollow feels like it hasn't changed a jot since it opened its doors in 1887. The front bar, with its tiled floors, marble bar top and lamppost style light fixtures, is perpetually cosy, and is at its best on a quiet afternoon, when you can sit with a pint and the paper. If you prefer something a little less low-key, there's live traditional music every Friday night. The Duke of York It may be one of the most popular pubs in Belfast, but walking down the cobbled alley to its entrance always feels special. That alleyway, with dozens of flower-filled hanging baskets and vintage Guinness signs, is cracking on a sunny day, but the interior is the epitome of cosiness, with a brick bar, low ceilings and weathered floor tiles. Nab a seat by the vintage printing press, to see if you can spot the dirty words hidden in the lettering. Sunflower Though the Sunflower name on the door is relatively new, this spot has been the home to a pub for over 100 years. The entrance is distinctive, with a bright green cage over the door (leftover from The Troubles) and the sign outside is one of the most photographed in Belfast: 'No topless sunbathing. Ulster has suffered enough'. There aren't any bells and whistles inside, but an excellent selection of craft beers like Yardsman stout and Kinnegar ales, and there's a beer garden, too. Best for live music Peadar O'Donnell's A minimalist's nightmare, this pub has paraphernalia hanging from every inch of space, from antique sewing machines to a proliferation of flags. As such, it feels like a quintessential Irish pub, particularly in the evening, with traditional musicians filling the room with song. Get a low table in the corner, order a well-poured pint of Guinness, and listen to the masters at work. House of McDonnell Owned by the same family for almost 300 years, this listed building is where you'll find some of the best traditional music in the country, with a session every Friday night, and other gigs throughout the week. It's on the Ballycastle Trad Music Trail, and it's even been name checked in some traditional Irish songs and poems. There's a charming little outdoor area, with weathered brick walls and wooden seats, and it's open until 1am. Best for chic cocktails The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant If you'd rather drink a negroni in style than step over a sticky, beer-stained floor, The Cocktail Bar in The Merchant Hotel is a great choice. This relatively small bar has a sophisticated, old-world sense of style, with plenty of dark wood, burgundy velvet armchairs and an antique fireplace. More importantly, the cocktails are impeccable, and you're served a little 'browsing drink' made with Jawbox gin, while you peruse the menu. Rattlebag Don't be put off by the fact that this cocktail bar is inside a hotel – this intimate spot has built up some serious kudos since it opened, with a menu that changes with the seasons and a series of pop-up collaborations with hip wine bars and musical folks. Expect to see quirky ingredients shaken up with classics, like pine distillate in a martini or cumin tincture in a gimlet. Best for cosy vibes The 1614 Bar Part of the historic, thatched Old Inn, this pub feels like a traditional carriage house, with low ceilings, thick wooden beams and roaring fires. It can get busy in the evening, when there's live sport on or a local band playing, but it's an ideal spot for a quiet Irish coffee if you've been out walking in the Crawfordsburn Country Park. They also serve food at lunchtime, with pub food like smoked haddock or fish and chips. Daft Eddy's Technically, this is more a seafood restaurant than a standalone pub, but the bar is lovely and cosy (and if it's sunny, the outdoor tables right on the water are perfect). Plus, if you're coming from Portaferry, you can take a 10-minute ferry journey to save you the drive, which adds to the novelty factor. Area: Strangford Lough Website: Price: £ How we choose Every bar, venue or experience in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveller – and consider the service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to learn vital beach safety tip as millions head on UK holidays
The RNLI reported a staggering 17,000 people were rescued on UK beaches last year which is why it's important to know what coloured flags indicate on UK beaches With more and more Brits opting to holiday in the UK with staycations being one of the biggest summer travel trends, it's important to be clued up on beach safety. New research from Visit Britain found that over 1 in 3 (35%) UK adults plan to choose a domestic holiday trip, compared to just 28% choosing an overseas trip this summer. But worryingly, recent RNLI figures show lifeguards responded to over 17,000 people last year on UK beaches, which could have been significantly less if beachgoers understood the flag system used to mark safe and unsafe zones. READ MORE: Beautiful European seaside city named 'Dubai dupe' but with cheap £87 flights In a effort to change this, caravan holiday provider Parkdean Resorts has detailed the differnce in flag colours and what they may mean to avoid any confusion or risking danger on the beach. One red flag The presence of a red flag on the beach signifies that the conditions are not safe for swimming. Do not enter the water as it's too dangerous to swim, surf or even paddle. Two red flags This means that the beach can't be used for any water use, so stay clear of the sea as there is a threat. Orange flag The presence of an orange windsock signifies strong wind conditions, so beachgoers should be cautious when swimming. Avoid using any inflatables as they could be blown out to sea. Red and yellow flag A red and yellow flag at the beach signifies that lifeguards are patrolling the area. The area between the flags is the safest area to swim, paddle and use water inflatables. Black and white flag A black and white chequered flag signifies that the area is designated for water sports, surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Swimmers should avoid this area and look for red and yellow flags instead. Blue flag Blue flags aren't a safety flag colour but instead they signify excellent beach quality, including water cleanliness, safety provisions and environmental management. Britain has 76 blue flag beaches and wales has 21 - there are plenty of safe options for holidaymakers. Some of these include: Trevone Bay, Cornwall - a picturesque sandy cove near Padstow. Whitley Bay, North Tyneside - stretching along the North East coast, it offers stunning views of St Mary's Lighthouse and features a wide promenade, clean waters, and family-friendly facilities Sea Palling Beach, Norfolk - located near Great Yarmouth, it's perfect for paddling, sunbathing and beachcombing Trecco Bay, Wales - this long sandy beach in Porthcawl is ideal for families with safe, clean waters and seasonal lifeguards Westward Ho!, Devon - famous for its expansive sands and excellent surfing conditions. The beach is backed by a natural pebble ridge and has superb accessibility
