THE National Trust is hosting a range of family-friendly events around the area this summer.
Across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, National Trust places are alive with the promise of warm summer days, lazy weekend picnics and trips out with family and friends.
There’s lots going on this season from a Gladiator weekend to classic cars, and golden hour in the garden to archaeological digs and much more.
Here is what’s happening near you this spring, please check property website for opening days and times:
Chedworth Roman Villa
Gladiator Weekend at Chedworth Roman Villa
Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 from 11am to 4pm.
You will be able to enrol in Gladiator School to hone your fighting skills, watch exciting military demonstrations and attend the ultimate Gladiator show to find out who the Gladiators were and where they came from.
The main shows take place at 11am and 3pm
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Free Tour Mondays at Chedworth Roman Villa
Tours will take place between 12pm to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm on - June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19.
Join site guides and find out why the Villa was built here, who may have owned it and how such a grand way of life was sustained.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Festival of Archaeology at Chedworth Roman Villa
Daily from July 13 to 28 from 10am to 4.30pm
Come and see how the conservation team cleans some of the finest mosaics in Britain and take part in an archaeological dig where ‘discoveries’ are made before your eyes.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Dyrham Park
Book cleaning in the house at Dyrham Park
18 Jun, 2, 16 & 30 Jul, 13 & 27 Aug. 11.30am-2.30pm
Staff and volunteers will be cleaning, checking and recording books from the collection normally housed in the Plod Chamber.
This collection includes Shakespeare, Ovid, Byron plus an Anglo-Dutch dictionary from 1681.
A special book cushion, a gentle vacuum cleaner, a pony hair brush and special lamps are used for the process.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Guided garden walks
Select weekdays. 11.30am-12.30pm and 2-3pm – please check the website
During the tours you can discover the best of the seasonal blooms, learn about the garden’s history and find out about upcoming projects.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Nature Tots at Old Lodge
Every Tuesday from 10.45am to 11.45am (until July 16)
The popular session for pre-schoolers is back with nature activities each Tuesday morning in term time. Sessions will usually include a song, story, craft and a game.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Lodge Park and Sherborne Park Estate
Bridgeman Landscape Walk
Wednesday, June 12 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm
This guided community walk will discuss the current progress of the Bridgeman Landscape project, and look at thoughts around future planting and access to the landscape.
One hour in length.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Wildlife Creation walk
Thursday, July 11 from 5.30pm to 7pm
Join the guided walk, where attendees will look at the nature creation scheme at Sherborne, going into detail about the plans to create a range of spaces for wildlife.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Newark Park
Father’s Day at Newark Park
Open Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 from 10am to 5pm.
On Sunday, June 16, jazz trio Three Bop Jazz will be playing in the walled garden from 1.30-3.30pm.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Classic Cars at Newark Park
A variety of pre-war and classic vehicles will be parked at Newark Park on Sunday, July 14 from 11am to 4pm.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Bug hotel making at Newark Park
August 9 and August 10 from 11am to 2.30pm
Book in workshops with volunteer Graham.
The workshop is a drop-in session and it will take around 15 mins for you to complete a bug hotel. You can arrive any time between 11am and 2.15pm.
Price: £6 per bug hotel (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Newark Park’s Hidden Objects
Daily. 11am-4pm
An exhibition celebrating 75 years of restoration and discovery.
Over the years, different items have been uncovered which have inspired us to research more about Newark's long and varied history.
From a Georgian shoe to a mysterious key, you can explore the collection and share your thoughts on the origins of the objects.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Woodchester Park
Storytelling for under 5s
Every Mon. 10.30 – 11am
Join each week for story time with our storytelling volunteer with a cuppa in the warmth of the Tinkley Gate cafe. No need to book, available for under 5s and families.
Moth trapping at Woodchester Park
July 9 and August 6 from 9.30am to 11am.
Moth-expert Graeme Davis will be showing the public moths that have been caught at Tinkley Gate the night before.
The event will be outside – on the grass picnic benches, or under the Barn if it’s raining.
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