Things to do

A great family day out doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. We’ve picked ten of our favourite family trails for you to explore.

Skies swept with pink, orange, red, and yellow - the long summer evenings give us the gift of the golden hour. On summer walks, especially during the longest days of the year, the evenings are balmy, and you can feel the joy that beams down on you from the setting sun.

Pack a hamper, round up friends and family and enjoy a leisurely summer's day outside. Whether you prefer golden sand, wildflower meadows or rolling green hills, there's a landscape for every taste.

With summer here, there's plenty to keep us occupied in the garden. From our experts, find out how to protect your plants and veg during the hottest months.

Having a small outdoor space doesn’t need to limit your gardening options. Balcony gardener Alice Vincent has created a mini oasis in her London flat. In this article, Alice shares her top tips for gardening in small spaces. You can also listen to a podcast episode with her to hear how she went from gardening novice to an expert in micro gardening.

Making a home for wildlife is no. 36 of our '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities. Different animals need different homes, what sort of home will you choose to make?

Enjoy the chorus of birdsong wherever you are; fling open your windows to hear local songbird populations in full voice or head out into the garden to spot birds twittering in the trees. With our guide to birdsong and bird spotting you’ll be an expert bird spotter in no time.

You don't need to be an expert to spot stars, satellites and planets. Just follow our top tips for a stargazing experience from the comfort of your garden. It's also no.27 on our list of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'.

We care for more than 200 gardens and parks. From small secret hideaways and kitchen gardens to landscaped lawns, beautiful borders and acres of parkland. Explore our gardens from afar and see them blooming in their colourful glory.

We look after over 300 historic buildings, from the grand and imposing to the small and quirky. Explore our places from afar and discover some of the stories behind our houses and the inhabitants who shaped them and called them home.