11 wonderful National Trust sites across the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire perfect for the May half term school holidays
There are many stunning National Trust sites across the West Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire perfect for a day out over the May half term school holidays.
With the mercury rising, it is the perfect weather to get out and about.
There are plenty of stunning National Trust sites across the West Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire for families to enjoy and explore the countryside in new and exciting ways.
Below are 11 wonderful sites ready to welcome visitors, with a chance to take part in activities or just simply bask in the sunshine.
Wightwick Manor and Gardens, Wolverhampton
Visitors can enjoy this Victorian manor housing an impressive Pre-Raphaelite art collection. Its gardens are designed by Thomas Mawson in the arts and crafts style, with orchards, pools, formal gardens and a mathematical bridge. There is also a tea-room serving breakfast baps, light lunches, sandwiches, sweet treats and drinks.
Normal admission tickets cost £18 for adults, £9 for children and under fives are free.
Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton
This property offers visitors a peek inside life inside the 17th century for the aristocratic.
Nowadays, you can enjoy the popular tea-room, with homemade cakes and biscuits or a light lunch.
Moseley Old Hall also puts on plenty of events for all to enjoy throughout the year. Just last year, Moseley Old Hall refurbished its previously overgrown Stablecroft Meadow. As part of this transformation, a new natural play area at the grounds opened to the public. This had included, new British trees being planted, 3,500 in total.
Over the next week visitors can enjoy a May Half Term - Royal RSVP Rescue Trail.
King Charles II is throwing a magnificent party to celebrate his birthday and his return to the throne, and he wants the brave Whitgreave family to join him. But disaster has struck - the Royal Messenger dropped the invitation, and the wind blew it into seven pieces which are hidden around the gardens.
People are invited to search the grounds, find the missing parts, and fill in the blanks so the family knows when and where the big celebration will be.
Trails can be purchased from visitor reception for 50p, with a sticker prize at the end.
Dudmaston Hall
With warm weather set to be enjoyed, visitors are welcome to relax in the garden and enjoy views across Big Pool.
It’s a perfect setting for a family picnic. Additional treats like hot drinks and ice cream are available from the Orchard tearoom, as well as light lunches, savoury snacks and cakes.
Admission applies to visit Dudmaston Hall, free entry for National Trust members. Dudmaston Hall is open Sunday to Thursday, 10.30am - 4.30pm.
Normal admission prices are £16 for adults and £8 for children, with under fives free.
Spend longer days on a family bike ride in Comer Woods. Bring a picnic and find shade amongst the trees and lots of places to rest.
Look out for butterflies along the edges of the trails feeding on nectar from honeysuckle.
Open daily, the cafe in Comer Woods will be serving hot drinks, light snacks and ice cream on sunny days.
Find a spot to relax in the barn. There’s second hand children’s books and adult fiction in the Book Nook. The car park is open is 8am to 8pm. Car parking is free for National Trust members or £6 daily.
Benthall Hall
People can enjoy this 16th-century stone country house with surrounding gardens in Broseley.
Benthall Hall is open Saturday to Monday during term time and Saturday to Wednesday during local school holidays.
Admission for non members is £11 for adults and £5.50 for children, but free for under fives.
Kinver Edge
Spend half term outdoors with the whole family where visitors are invited to walk up to the top of the hillfort on Kinver Edge for epic views across the three counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.
With summer just around the corner, the Edge comes alive with birdsong and the buzz of insects.
Kinver Rock Houses are open Friday to Sunday during term time and Thursday to Monday during local school holidays. Admission applies, free entry for National Trust members. Free parking for access to Kinver Edge.
Birmingham Back to Backs
Step back in time on a guided tour of Birmingham’s last surviving court of back-to-backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard.
Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work. Come and see Mr Levi’s bedroom-turned-workshop, Mrs Oldfield’s mealtime kitchen and peek inside George Saunders’ tailor’s shop.
With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.
Tours last an hour and a half so you can visit as part of your day out in Birmingham. Ground floor accessible tours are also available, these are an hour long and visit the ground floor rooms of all the houses as well as the courtyard.
Usual admission prices for non members are £12 for adults and £6 for children, free for under fives.
The Roundhouse
Perhaps this is best known as Birmingham's most recognisable structures. Originally used as stables and shops, it was constructed in 1874 by the Birmingham Corporation. The unusual horseshoe-shaped structure, which was designed by architect W.H. Ward.
Biddulph Grange Garden
Take a journey around Biddulph Grange Garden May half term’s family Enchanted Garden trail.
Follow the map to discover the activity stations around the garden, at each activity there is a special word.
Find all the words which create a magical garden spell. Once you have completed the trail claim your prize at visitor reception. Trails £3.50 each.
Admission is £14 for adults and £7 for children, under fives free.
Spend half term with the whole family at Shugborough, near Stafford, from strolling through acres of parkland, marvelling at the grand interiors of the mansion house or discover the inner workings of the servants’ quarters there is something for everyone.
Follow the Sam’s sunflower trail, inspired by the Nosey Crow stories which winds through the walled garden and around Park Farm. Look out for lambs, chickens and piglets along the way.
Normal admission is £18 for adults and £9 for children, under fives free.
Attingham Park
There’s plenty to enjoy at Attingham, near Shrewsbury, with outdoor adventures and nostalgic fun for the whole family.
Step back in time as Lakin Amusements return with their vintage fairground rides and games, set against the backdrop of Attingham’s Mansion.
Until 31 May, enjoy classic fairground favourites.
Normal admission applies, with additional charges for rides and games.
Visitors can also get active outdoors on its Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail.
Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges.
Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day. Normal admission also applies.