May half term at Beningbrough

The back of a boy leaning over large tree branches

Come out to play at Beningbrough with activities from the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ play list, plus the usual fun and games around the gardens and hall.

Organised activities on selected days

Just on the outskirts of York with its leafy woodlands and magical walled garden, Beningbrough’s extensive gardens and parkland are packed with hidden corners waiting to be explored and you can discover its delights with the National Trust’s essential 50 things play list. Join us for a host of free, organised events:

Sunday 26 May - Have fun with sticks and create a mini raft on the south lawn anytime between 11am - 3pm.

Monday 27 May - Discover what’s in a pond at one of the drop-in sessions over at the American Garden pond at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Wednesday 29 May - Build a den in the American Garden undergrowth. Sign up to one of the 30 minute sessions at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm when you arrive in reception

Friday 31 May - Go cloud watching; lay on the lawn, watch the shapes float by and imagine a story at one of the sessions at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm

Friday - Drop into a creative wild art session on the lawn or in the hayloft* depending on the weather, anytime between 12 - 3pm

Sunday 2 June - Get to know a tree, how to tell its age and lots of fascinating facts. Sign up to one of the 30 minute sessions at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm when you arrive in reception

* The hayloft is accessible by stairs only.

Adventure time in the wilderness play area
Two small children crossing a rope bridge
Adventure time in the wilderness play area

Any day, every day

With the free explorer backpacks, you can wander trails or meander through the borders looking for birds and bugs as you please… the lure of the great outdoors is strong especially with the sunny weather. And with bikes, trikes and scooters available for free, little ones can keep up too.

Head over to the wilderness play area and walk the rope bridge to the pyramid tower or kick off your shoes and skip along the barefoot walk. Then why not come inside and discover the Hall’s interactive galleries on the top floor. Get hands on in the sculpture room or dress-up and pose for your own digital family portrait. 

Visit the 50 things website and see where you can combine more family days out with the play list or pick up a free scrapbook when you visit.

We're open everyday over the May half term holidays, 10.30am - 5pm, Saturday 25 May - Sunday 2 June 2019.

The Brew House will also be open for drinks and snacks everyday during the school holidays.

Father's Day

Looking ahead, we are running a day of bushcraft and beer for Father's Day on Sunday 16 June.

Beningbrough bushcraft activities for Father's Day

Father's Day at Beningbrough 

Get in touch with your inner survivalist and perfect your bushcraft art with hands-on activities. Reward Dad with a sample or two of beer from local Treboom Brewery for the perfect finish to the day.