Come out to play in Beningbrough’s gardens this summer, with a free nature trail, 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ and all the usual places to adventure. It’s open every day and free to National Trust members, RHS members and under-fives.
Pick up the Brilliant Butterflies Trail as the foundation of your exploring – strange facts and giant butterflies wait to greet you. There are two to choose from depending on the age of your gang or try them both on different visits.
In August, join in one of the themed activities sessions. Pick a day that suits you…
- – What lives in a tree? Tuesday 2, 16 & 30 August.
- – Why do bees buzz? Tuesday 9 & 23 August.
- – Butterfly spotter challenge. Every Wednesday in August.
- – Arty butterflies – get creative. Thursday 4 & 18 August and 1 September.
- – Terrific tansy beetles. Thursday 11 & 25 August.
Then a popular treat for Bank Holiday Monday on 29th August, Stories Alive return with a specially created outdoor story session.
Head over to the wilderness play area or spend time in the den zone. Clamber on the stack, cross the rope bridge to the slides and choose from one of the swings – the pendulum is perfect for older children. The youngest family members haven’t been left out, with tunnels, balance beams and a wendy house to get their imagination going. There’s a new mini clamber stack for smaller legs and accessible bucket seats in some of the swing spots.
And of course, ice cream! Take your pick of places to picnic and watch the wildlife hard at work; bees busy making honey and birds foraging to feed the family. If you love seeing how things grow, spend some time exploring the walled garden – throughout summer the fruit is ripening, and the vegetables are plumping. The south lawn is a great place to play ball games or even fly a kite…keeping your eyes peeled so that you don’t fall off the ha-ha!
Trip essentials
Address – Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, York YO30 1DD
Travel time from York – 20 minutes (approx.)
Parking – Free
Dog friendly – Yes
Please note the hall and galleries are currently closed for a 2.3 million infrastructure project and due to re-open in summer 2023.
