The National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, invites families to have fun and experience local places in new and unexpected ways. Taking place over the summer holidays and set against the backdrop of the National Trust’s historic houses and beautiful gardens and estates in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire, Summer of Play activities will have a family-festival feel.
Activities and Experiences
Jam-packed with games and experiences, let imaginations run wild with role play and mini stages. Unlock limitless possibilities to design and build with construction zones, make art and music with nature’s materials, or slip away to a cosy book nook.
Give new (and old) sports a go at places like Cliveden, Hughenden, Waddesdon, and Basildon Park. The Little People, BIG DREAMS® exhibition and trail at Stowe Gardens encourages kids to be bold, be brave, and dream big. Or travel back in time to explore history and heraldry amongst the medieval ruins at Greys Court.
Designed with families in mind, Summer of Play activities will be dotted around large fields, woodlands, and garden areas. There will be plenty of space for picnicking, shady rest areas, and cafés close by.
Locations and Events
Stowe, Buckingham: Little People BIG DREAMS®
Dates: 15 July – 15 September
Little People, BIG DREAMS® is a bestselling biography series created by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, with more than 7.5 million copies sold worldwide. Perfectly plotted for children aged 4-7+, the series introduces trailblazers and dreamers who have made a big impact on the world around them.
As you explore the garden, you’ll delve into the lives of some extraordinary people including designers, artists, and scientists to name a few. Follow the trail to see how their dreams as little children grew to become their reality. There will be plenty of stories to encourage your little ones to dream big amongst the iconic landscape and monuments of Stowe Gardens.
Cliveden: Games Grove, Woodland Exploration Zone
Dates: 24 July – 1 September
Cliveden’s Ilex Grove is being transformed for the summer into the ‘Games Grove’. You’ll find traditional garden games like giant Jenga, dominoes, memory games, tug-of-war, bean bag toss, and others.
Elm Field, near the Woodlands Lounge, will become the ‘Exploration Zone’. Here there is lots of space for free-thinking, free-play opportunities with a build your own obstacle course, giant building blocks, and a nature music station. Also look out for Challenge Points and Imagination Stations throughout the grounds.
Hughenden, High Wycombe: Go for Gold in Play, Performance and Adventure
Dates: 24 July – 1 September
Embark on an epic quest for gold at the Greek Games this summer at Hughenden. Championed by different Greek Gods, discover five unique types of play, from music to sports. Collect stamps from all five Gods in your game’s passport by participating in activities like croquet and nature spotting. Earn a gold medal and craft your own using air-dry clay. Unleash your inner champion and take home a personalized gold medal during Bucks Open Weekend.
Basildon Park: Games Gazebo
Dates: 25 July – 3 September
The Games Gazebo at the picnic area is jam-packed with games kits to take onto the lawn with the backdrop of the mansion behind you and views ahead over the parkland. Play badminton, bat and ball, French cricket, or wooden throwing games like Kubb or Molkky.
The wild play trail in the woodland is being refreshed for 2024 with wooden play equipment, opportunities for den building, and the ever-popular ball runs. There will be bookable den building workshops on selected days.
Greys Court: History and Heraldry Theme
Dates: 25 July – 3 September
Greys Court is layered with history, and Summer of Play explores themes of history and heraldry that are overlooked by a medieval tower. There will be active games inspired by crossing moats, target practice, and tumbling towers, along with craft activities.
Waddesdon: Garden Games
Dates: 24 July – 26 August
Children get free admission to the house and grounds. Waddesdon will be offering complimentary garden games available to borrow from the visitor information building on the North Front, including cricket, tennis, rounders, and more. Smoking Apples Theatre brings Arbor on 26 July and Buzz on 27 July, visually stunning shows with lovable puppets.
Song, dance, and art intermingle with Urban Canvas Street Art on 2-4 August. The Actual Reality Arcade is a life-sized interactive game zone for all ages with classics such as Tetris and Pac-Man, or get up close and personal with birds of prey on 23-26 August.
For more information, visit National Trust.
