Summer of Play: National Trust launches family fun across Liverpool and the North West

If you’re looking for ideas to keep the kids busy this summer, the National Trust Summer of Play is ready to help you make some amazing memories — and it’s all about adventure, imagination and plenty of fresh air.

Running right through the summer holidays, Summer of Play brings a festival feel to seven National Trust spots across the North West, and over 175 across the UK. With no need to book, free entry for under-5s, carers and National Trust members, it’s a simple way to plan a day out that’s easy on the wallet too.

Expect nature games, pop-up sports days, trails, fancy dress, craft zones, mini stages and cosy book nooks — all set in beautiful historic gardens and wild meadows. Whether you fancy building dens, making mud pies, dressing up or just chilling out with a good book in the sun, there’s loads for families to dive into.

At Speke Hall in Liverpool, families can run, jump and play in the grounds of this stunning Tudor manor house from 21 July to 31 August. There’s a woodland play area, an accessible gated zone, a sensory resource station with fidget toys and ear defenders to borrow, and games galore from zip wires to mud kitchens.

Over at Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk, the fun starts on 18 July and runs until 1 September. Kids can dress up as knights in suits of armour, borrow nature backpacks and balance bikes to explore the gardens, or grab a sports day kit from the Coach House for a go at cricket, rounders, tennis, croquet and more in the Orchard Paddock.

All of the Summer of Play activities are included with standard admission (Speke Hall: £19 adults, £9.50 kids, £47.50 family; Rufford Old Hall: £12 adults, £6 kids, £30 family). Under 5s, carers and National Trust members get in for free and there are no extra event charges.

And with plenty of picnic spots, shady spaces, cafés and food pop-ups at each site, you can easily make a whole day of it.

Every visit helps support the National Trust’s work to protect the special places we love to explore.

To plan your summer adventures head to the website.

Get all the info of what’s going on in Liverpool throughout summer here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.