Seven sensational family days out with the National Trust this summer

What is it? A country house in Cambridge that was done up to stonkingly luxurious standards by the eye-wateringly wealthy Lord Fairhaven back in the 1930s. The property includes stunning landscaped gardens and a working watermill. There is no actual abbey, but it’s built on the grounds of a priory that dates back almost a millennium.

What to do? The 98-acre, immaculately landscaped, seasonally shifting garden is the real showstopper, while a woodland play area is good for a more vigorous diversion.

Summer of Play: The beach comes to landlocked Anglesey Abbey over the school holidays (July 19 - August 31) with a giant sandpit and five interactive seaside zones.

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What is it? Better known to fans of Game of Thrones as Winterfell Castle (it served as its filming location), this handsome and rather architecturally eccentric gothic mansion overlooks the stunning Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. 

What to do? The mansion is well worth a look round, but the star of Castle Ward is its stunning lough-side surrounds: the short but enchanting secret shore trail is a must for youngsters.

Summer of Play: From July 5 to August 31, there will be seven themed play zones set up around the estate.

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What is it? Built in 1295, this brooding castle in the Welsh Marches is a magnificent building with centuries of history, as evidenced by the showstopper seventeenth-century long gallery or the chic ’20s high society Chapel Music room. 

What to do? Explore the castle, mostly, although there’s plenty to explore on the 480 acre estate, which includes a must-see section of Offa’s Dyke.

Summer of Play: From July 19 to August 31, there will be four themed play zones: Forest, Meadow, Stream and Kitchen Garden. Jake the Storyteller will also be visiting on July 21 and 28 and August 4.

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What is it? This picturesque Wiltshire village just outside the Cotswolds is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and has changed little in the past two centuries, except that now much of it is owned by the National Trust. 

What to do? A stroll around the village will be considerably pepped up by all the Harry Potter locations you can spot. The films made heavy use of the old Lacock Abbey cloisters. 

Summer of Play: Activities will rotate throughout the summer holidays, with a different craft every week in the craft tent, nature play, sports activities, and even a free climbing wall up for a couple of weeks in August.

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What is it? This magnificent Georgian country house and grounds in the heart of Devon is most notable for being home to the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection, with over 20,000 items of historic clothing and accessories.

What to do? The stylishly inclined will enjoy the fashion collection but there’s plenty to do besides, especially in the huge grounds – a walk from the house to the eighteenth-century ‘Bear’s Hut’ summerhouse is a particular favourite. 

Summer of Play: Running July 19 to September 7, it’s themed zones ahoy, including a sports area, outdoor kitchen, mini theatre and outdoor library.

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What is it? This beautiful Grade II-listed garden is open year-round but takes on a totally different aspect depending on the season. Its centrepiece is a romantic, partially ruined manor house. 

What to do? Nyman’s is, in a very literal sense, a massive garden, and that’s essentially its appeal: have a good wander and take in the different worlds contained within, from the beautiful cascades to the various hybrid trees and shrubs that originated there in the ’50s.  

Summer of Play: All summer holidays long, there’ll be races and games in Comber’s Field and den making in the play glade.

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What is it? This deliciously whimsical Northumberland country house was built by notorious Georgian dandies the Delavals, who staged theatre shows and threw decadent parties with equal aplomb. Restored a few years back, it’s got a rakish charm rarely seen in the grand houses of Britain.

What to do? Get to know the Delaval family via their cheekily presented stories in the West Wing; be sure to take the kids to the theatre-themed play area, aka the Playdium.

Summer of Play: All summer holidays long, there’ll be games and races on the lawns, plus pop-up activities like gardening and circus on a handful of dates.

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Discover a summer of possibilities at the National Trust. Explore the website for more days out inspiration.