January
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Search our online events directory; try under: |
The start of the year is a great time to get out and enjoy some outdoor therapy. The National Trust cares for 25,000ha of Wessex countryside, ready to be explored. Many of our parklands, such as at Dyrham in Gloucestershire and Dunster Castle in Somerset, are open all year round.
The majestic ruin of Corfe Castle in Dorset, the elegant landscape of Stourhead in Wiltshire, Bath’s own landscaped garden Prior Park, and Lacock's Fox Talbot Museum in Wiltshire, hosting photographic exhibitions, are also open throughout the winter.
February
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Specific: Snowdrop & Spring Flower Walks
- Specific: Valentine's Day
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In February, our gardens begin to stir. Snowdrops are out early in the month at Kingston Lacy in Dorset. Be romantic and take a spring flower walk at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. Alternatively, the garden and parkland at Montacute House in Somerset make a wonderful setting for a walk.
March
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In March, our historic houses shake off the dust covers and re-open their doors after the winter. Places like Stourhead, Lacock Abbey, Dyrham Park and Dunster Castle have a host of new events and exhibitions, and attractions on offer: you might see conservation work in action or new plantings in the garden. March also means Mother's Day. You can spoil your mum with one of our family events centred round this special day.
April
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Specific: Easter Egg Trails
- Theme: Walks
- Property: Dyrham Park
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Over 20 of our gardens, parklands and countryside in Wessex offer Easter trails. Dyrham Park comes over all floral as it celebrates its Dutch connections with five days of 'Tulipomania'. Later in the month, celebrate St George with a series of activities at Snowshill Manor in Gloucestershire. It’s also a great season for birds – many of our properties offer Dawn Chorus Walks.
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May
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Theme: Arts, Crafts & Exhibitions
- Theme: Wildlife, Countryside & Coast
- Theme: Garden
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The days are warming up and painting workshops, traditional crafts, and night-sky watching are back on the itinerary. Don’t miss the sights of terns diving at Brownsea Island in Dorset, the bluebells ‘ringing’ in Dinton Woods, or choirs and singers performing in the gardens at Stourhead.
June
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Specific: Summer Concerts
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For a fleeting few weeks in June, the large blue butterfly hatches and flies in a joyful blue celebration at Collard Hill in Somerset. Poppies dye the fields red in the Stonehenge Landscape.
June and July are the main months for our theatrical and musical events. Take your picnic and blanket along to Kingston Lacy, Lacock Abbey, Montacute House and Dunster Castle to enjoy Shakespeare, children’s theatre or opera in the open air.
July
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Every second year, July means picnics, music and glamour – it’s the Fête Champêtre at Stourhead, one of the highlights of the season. In 2006, 2008 and 2010, dust off your fancy dress and let your hair down in spectacular surroundings. Orchid fans should head to Rodborough Common in the Cotswolds to see some of the 13 varieties found in this rich grassland.
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August
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Theme: Family Fun
- Specific: Bat Walks
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It’s the summer holidays and the choice of where to take the children is endless. Try gladiators and gore at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire, pirates at Dunster Castle, treasure trails and jesters at Corfe Castle, or a scouts and guides pilgrimage to the movement's birthplace on Brownsea Island in Dorset.
August is also a month when the bats are about. Learn to tell the difference between a greater horseshoe and a pipestrelle on a Bat Walk in Wessex.
September
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Theme: Wildlife, Countryside & Coast
- Theme: Walks
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One of only two populations of red squirrel in the south of England are found on Brownsea Island. Guided Red Squirrel Walks in September and October offer a unique opportunity to get up close to 'Squirrel Nutkin'. It’s also archaeology month so head to Corfe Castle to learn more.
October
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Specific: Apple & Orchard Days
- Specific: Fungi Forays
- Theme: Halloween
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Witness Formula One, 17th-century style, at Lodge Park in Gloucestershire's deerhound races. October is a celebration of the harvest, with National Trust Apple and Orchard Days taking place. Or track down some of our strangest-looking organisms on a Fungi Foray.
Ghouls and witches can also be found without searching too hard around Halloween, and the gardens and parkland at Kingston Lacy are illuminated for five days in the 'Enchanted Garden'.
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November
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Theme: Garden
- Specific: Putting the House to Bed
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The golds, yellows, browns and reds of autumn colour reflected in the lake at Stourhead is a unique sight. Join an Autumn Colour Walk to find out how the woodland is managed. And learn some top cleaning tips as our Conservators 'put the house to bed' for the winter with behind-the-scenes tours at Dunster Castle and Snowshill Manor.
December
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Search our online events directory; try under: - Specific: Christmas Season
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Wessex celebrates Christmas in style. There’s 'Christmas in the Cloisters' at Lacock Abbey, special Christmas open weekends at Barrington Court in Somerset and Montacute House, Christmas craft markets throughout the region, and the village of Dunster illuminates us with 'Dunster by Candlelight'.
Forthcoming events:
Search our online events directory for a list of forthcoming events and activities in Wessex.
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