Summer holidays

Whether you've mini makers ready to get creative or outdoor adventurers looking to explore (or a little bit of both!), we've lots to fill your holidays at Nostell.

Family fun every week

Every weekday has a different theme; which is your favourite? 

Mucky Mondays, 31 July – 28 August, 11am – 3pm

From building bug hotels and cooking up marvellous mixtures in the mud kitchen to waterplay and barefoot printing, you might need to make Mondays bath night! 

50 things Tuesdays, 1 August – 29 August, 11am – 3pm

By the end of the summer, you'll be an adventurer, a discoverer, a ranger, a tracker and an explorer! Tuesdays are all about crafting your own butterfly feeder, heading out on a geocaching adventure, creating big wild art and campfire cooking.

Active Wednesdays, 26 July – 30 August, 11am – 3pm

Pick up a summer of sport challenge card and see how many stamps you can collect. 
Get stuck into a game of volleyball and badminton on the vista and visit the Wakefield District Cycle Forum for cycling tips, a chance to test your bike skills as well as handy cycling info, maps and advice.

Collections Thursdays, 27 July – 31 August, 1 – 4pm

Nostell’s mansion is crammed full of handcrafted treasures, from Chippendale chairs to John Harrison's 300-year-old clock that still ticks! Every Thursday, follow in the footsteps of famous craftspeople and roll up your sleeves to make your very own masterpieces.

Sketchbook Fridays, 28 July – 1 September, 1 - 4pm 

Join the Friday masterclass for #minimakers at Nostell this summer. Each week we’ll be trying out different skills, from perfecting the art of profile portraits (we might need some models, mums, dads, grandmas and grandads!) to drawing the smallest details and creating pictures inspired by the bright summer colours you see outdoors. 

For admission and activity details for each day, click on the what's on link at the bottom of the page.

Top tip for tots!

Got littlies that need a break from the big kids? Don't miss Nostell Nestlings, especially for under 5s on Wednesdays 2 and 16 August, 10.30 - 11.30am.

Make your own adventures

If there's nothing you like more than heading out without a plan, we've plenty of ways to enjoy Nostell whenever you drop in.

Treasures galore

Pick up the family trail to imagine and discover what it would have been like to live in the house (open Wednesday - Sunday) and the creative craftspeople that made the artworks, furniture and decorations you can see. Don't miss your chance to dress up in the Servants' Hall.

Explore the great outdoors

The winding garden paths are perfect for playing hide and seek and you can pick up a summer nature trail to help you spots all kinds of wildlife. Will you spot the resident kingfisher?

Test your cycle skills

Have you had a go on the brand new cycle trails, designed especially with families in mind? You can explore the green and blue trails any time the parkland's open so stick the bikes in the car or pedal down to Nostell and navigate the new twists, turns, ups and downs.  Remember on Thursdays, you can hire bikes, 11am - 3pm.

Adventure playground

Swing by the adventure playground on your visit; we've everything from wobble dishes and totter beams to spring horses, sound rollers and wooden playhouses. The zip wire is a whopping 30 metres long!