Just a short drive from the York outer ring road, or easily accessed from the A1. Most National Trust members know about Beningbrough and probably visit regularly – it’s one of those places that once you’ve found it, it soon becomes a firm favourite with free entry to members and under-fives. It’s good to note they are an RHS partner garden so accept RHS membership, along with Yorkshire’s Great Houses, Castles and Gardens cards and support holders of Max Cards.
As part of the National Trust, their ongoing ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ playlist is the gift that keeps giving. Tick off challenges either as part of your visit or carry on at home or in your local park. A couple to complete at Beningbrough are building a den and climbing a tree in their mature gardens that although bigger than your average home, feel familiar and safe for families to explore in.
During school holidays you can rely on trails and activities, often with a seasonal or nature theme. This summer the free trail is Brilliant Butterflies. Giant butterflies need to be found with fascinating facts as you go. One of the best parts of this is that there are two trails to choose from. Great if you’ve got different ages to entertain or want to try both on a separate visit.
Then throughout the summer there are lots of activities to have a go at. Join the gardeners to see what lives in a tree – perfect for getting close to bugs. And speaking of bugs, find out about the rare, and beautiful tansy beetle on another day. It’s all about bees some days with the chance to look inside a real active hide. On other days, get arty outdoors or join a special story session on bank holiday Monday. Phew.
Plan your day on the website as each day differs so you might want to pick the right one for you…or visit a few times to try it all.
And we can’t forget the play area. Subtly set at the far end of the gardens, hidden in among the trees, is the wilderness play area. The offer has been well considered to accommodate all ages from a Wendy house and recent addition of a smaller wooden clambering frame to cantilever swings and taller clamber stack for the more adventurous. There’s also an area dedicated to den building where imaginations can join with play until it’s time for ice creams.
Do note, the hall and galleries are closed this year for improvements and repairs. The restaurant and shop are open should you need shelter from the odd shower or maybe test how weatherproof that den is you built earlier.
Keep up to date on their social channels @NTBeningbrough or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough for more information and how to get there. Open daily through the school holidays, 10am – 5pm.
Images © National Trust Images
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