Half term fun at Blickling Estate

A family playing with autumn leaves — Enjoy colourful days out this autumn

The cooks in the kitchen — Join the cooks in the kitchen

Family cycling on the estate at Blickling, Norfolk — Cycling on the estate at Blickling, Norfolk

Lady in a red coat taking a photo of the autumn colour — Don't forget your camera when you're out and about this autumn

The view across the lake to the house in autumn — The view across the lake is breathtaking at any time of year

From Saturday 19 - Sunday 27 October, discover fun for all the family with a variety of activities across the estate. Enjoy everything from cycle hire in the park and green fingered fun in the walled garden to our contemporary art installation and trails in the house and garden.

Tick off some of your 50 things...

Child playing with a conker in autumn at Stourhead, Wiltshire

50 things in the garden

Pick up a leaflet from visitor reception on arrival then discover some of our 50 things activities as you take a wander. You'll find opportunities to create wild art, go cloud watching and play conkers.

50 things in the parkland

As you explore the parkland, why not look out for our 50 things stations and try some of them out. From watching a bird to searching for wild animal clues, there's plenty to discover.

Explore the house

With our recent library conservation work we've been busy fixing leaks, preventing mould growth, slowing down pest and death watch beetle damage and creating the right environmental conditions that the collection needs. So, as you explore and find out more about the house, we've hidden some beetles in the rooms for little ones to find. See if you can spot them as you explore.

You'll come across our contemporary art installation The Edge of Things by artists Neville Gabie and Joan Gabie. Responding to the books’ themes of language, natural history, astronomy and early natural science, the artists use sound, film storytelling and an intricate tapestry project to bring the books to life in a contemporary context. At the end of the route you'll find our activity room full of fun and interactive exercises for all ages. From trying your hand at weaving tapestry to creating your own fantastical creatures.

On Sunday 20 and Saturday 26 October go below stairs and you'll find Flo and Kath cooking in the 1930s basement kitchen. Have a chat with them and ,if you're lucky, you may even get a morsle to try!

A picture of visitors investigating a project in progress — Come and see our project in progress

Buildings, Books and Beetles | Thursdays - Saturdays

Join us for an exciting, behind-the-scenes experience to explore Blickling's attics. Discover some of our oldest and rarest books, the threats they're under and the work that's underway to save them... This experience will run until 26 October.

Discover the gardens

Explore the garden every day of the week and find secret tunnels, squishy trees and much more. There's plenty of fun to be had, from a family game of hide and seek in the yew hedges, to planting seeds in the walled kitchen garden.

Throughout half term you can collect a children's map from visitor reception and head out on an adventure around the colourful garden. The map will show you all the best bits, as well as where to play a game, do a spot of gardening, get in touch with nature and/or take a break.

Sow and grow | Daily

Join us in the walled kitchen garden and have fun watering flowers and planting seeds in pots. You can then take your pot home and enjoy watching it grow. You will also find little wheelbarrows and watering cans for gardening fun.

Pick up an activity pack*

We've put together a variety of activity packs for children, full of colouring, reading, writing and activities to help you discover more on the estate. The packs range from 0-4 years, 5-7 years and 8-10 years and you can choose whether you're a nature explorer, a budding author, a curious creature or an art adventurer.

*Activity packs are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

A picture of a young girl peers through binoculars on an outdoor adventure — A young girl peers through binoculars on an outdoor adventure

Head out into the parkland

A family enjoy cycling by Blickling's lake — Explore the wider estate on foot or by bike

Cycle hire at Blickling Estate

In partnership with British Cycling and HSBC UK, our cycle hub is open every day from 10am. We have a variety of bikes, including tag-alongs and children's cycles, so there's nothing to stop you from venturing further afield on two wheels. Last hire is at 1pm and all bikes must be returned by 3pm at the latest.

Fungi foray | 21 October

Join our countryside team at 11am in the main car park and take a walk to discover the different fungi varieties found on the estate.

Fancy a hot chocolate?

Warm up after a busy day of adventures with a hot chocolate and a cake. Find a selection of scrumptious snacks available in all three of our cafes.

Children enjoying hot chocolate drinks — Warm up with a hot chocolate and something tasty

Activities for older ones...

Children are very welcome to join our running events in the parkland. They need to be 12+ and accompanied by an adult to take part in Trust 10, and any under 16's must be accompanied by an adult and remain in sight for Night Run.

Get your running shoes on...

People running outdoors at Kingston Lacy

Blickling parkrun

Enjoy running? Then you'll love parkrun. A free, timed 5km run which takes place every Saturday at Blickling. You might get a little muddy and the temperature might be refreshing, but you'll certainly feel energised after a run around the park.

A group of runners make their way through Blickling's sweeping parkland.

Trust 10 trail runs

Join our free monthly 10k trail runs - they’re a great way to get some exercise and take in some spectacular scenery. Whether you’re training for a challenge or looking for a sociable jog, all ages, abilities and four-legged friends are welcome. Selected Sundays: 26 Jan, 23 Feb, 22 March, 26 April, 24 May, 28 June, 26 July, 23 Aug, 27 Sept, 25 Oct, 22 Nov, 27 Dec 2020.

Participants enjoy a Night Run event at Blickling Estate.

Night Run | 28 March

Plan ahead to spring 2020 and join us for Night Run, organised in partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. If you've ever wanted to run around the estate at night, or explore ancient woodlands after dark, then Night Run gives you the chance. Whether you're a walker, first-time runner or experienced off-roader, come and join the fun.