I absolutely love National Trust properties and whatever the weather they can provide a super day out for all the family. School holidays particularly are a perfect time to visit as most of the larger properties organise educational but fun activities for the kids to get involved with.

There are literally hundreds of different properties across the UK and there will be something to suit everyone. If you have children who like the outdoors and want to let off some steam running around then you won’t be disappointed I assure you. Do not be fooled into thinking that National Trust (NT) properties are just for older people, posh people or history lovers. They really are for everyone.

Our family has visited dozens of NT properties over the past few years and I’ve blogged about many of them over on Mummy from the Heart but today I just want to revisit three of our favourites –

Chartwell, Kent 

Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill and it is an all-round fabulous site with interesting house, large formal gardens, loads of green space for family fun, woodland, play areas and even Sir Winston’s art studio. We managed to spend the full day at Chartwell really easily as there is so much to see and do.

I see that over this February half-term Chartwell have an ‘Into the Trenches’ exhibition which focuses on the involvement on Churchill’s role in WWI and also looks a the lives of those who served and what it was like in the trenches. Families can also get involved with a great escape family trail.

Kingston Lacy – Dorset

I don’t know if it was because we were with may parents or because this is such a big and grand property but this probably stands out as my favourite stately home visit.  How I would love to live here, if even just for a short while… The house is really grand and the gardens are diverse, there are fields to play games on, japanese gardens to admire and trees to climb – so much to do.

We visited during the summer holiday and there was a teddy bear hunt around the house for the younger children and a classic treasure hunt for the older one but the main thing that really engaged the kids was the living history. Outside there were people dressed up as the staff of the house and the kids were able to get involved with the families laundry and realising just how hard work it was to keep clothes clean 100 years ago.

I see this half term for the first time ever you can visit Home Farm and see the animals as well as taking a fun bike ride and getting involved with the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you are  11 3/4 with activities such as den building, big hunting and bird watching.

Attingham Park – Shropshire

This is one of the sites we have more recently visited and again it is beautiful. Such a large and diverse site and we didn’t even get as far as looking round the inside of the house, one day I will go back to do that as I can imagine it is stunning.

We spent quite a number of hours enjoying the outdoor space, there was acres of countryside for walking and we enjoyed spotting the deer and watching them from afar as well as wandering round the formal gardens and heading over to the very large play field area where the kids run themself tired playing in dens, on swings and having a game of ping-pong.

I was very impressed when I had a look at what Attingham Park have planned for families this half-term as there is so much they have a planner you can download so you don’t miss a things. Spring walks around the grounds, watch the rangers hand-feed the deer, visit the basement and try on period costumes or get crafty in the Butlers pantry. There are also bird watching days and map reading sessions too. Phew, if only we lived closer!

Have you visited any National Trust sites recently?  Do let us know where you would recommend.

If you need some more fun ideas of what to get up to over this half-term then do check out all these suggestions from other bloggers –

Helen gives you three unusual days out with kids at half term if you’re in and around London, plus a bonus craft activity for a pyjama day!

Penny has three easy creative projects to do at home which could also fire their imaginations for bigger activity, because we love it when one thing leads to another.

Alice has some simple but successful tips for keeping kids entertained on the beach even in this cold February weather.

Marianne has three fun suggestions to do with the kids over half term in Kent.

Becky has 3 thrifty and simple ideas for half term happiness

Kirsty can help families in Hertfordshire, who need inspiration to help keep boredom at bay! 

Cass shares her favourite three ways to have fun at half term without spending a penny!

Joanne shares three indoors ‘days out’ in case of horrid weather

Joy explains 3 ways that throwing a party can help with half-term entertainment. 

Emma has three ways to enjoy half term on a budget

Michelle introduces you to three fun seaside towns in East Sussex

Sarah showcases five different ways you can entertain the little ones in Norwich this half term