Weekends with children can often pass by in a blur of life admin, chores and DIY, with a trip to the playground or a local walk thrown in. But it is possible to dive deeper into adventure, discover history and enjoy the great outdoors without having to travel too far from home by taking advantage of what The National Trust has to offer. With more than 500 properties, historical sites and gardens in the UK , you don’t need to be a member to explore some of these remarkable places – simply purchase a guest ticket in advance online or on the day at the ticket office.
And this autumn, you can even pick up a free National Trust family ticket that will give you and your loved ones free entry into more than 200 venues before 18 October. Your next challenge is deciding where to visit when faced with so much choice. While the National Trust is home to historic homes with fine china and artwork, most children would prefer to race round the grounds or explore an adventure playground.
To help you decide on the most suitable site to take your crew, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best National Trust properties in England , Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland with facilities guaranteed to entertain all ages. From kite flying outside a historic lighthouse, to challenging a little one’s sense of direction in a 500m long giant maze, these are places where you’ll be able to make memories to last a lifetime. Located atop the White Cliffs of Dover, the historic South Foreland lighthouse o.