The Brownes of Townend in the Troutbeck Valley were just an ordinary farming family: but their home and belongings bring to life more than 400 years of extraordinary stories. As you approach Townend - a traditional Lake District stone and slate farmhouse, you'll understand why Beatrix Potter described Troutbeck Valley as her favourite.
Key Stage 1 (4-7)
Key Stage 1 (4-7)
In the first two years of compulsory education (Key Stage 1/5-7 years), pupils begin to explore their local environment. If the school is lucky enough to have a museum nearby, it will be an important starting point in their development. Further afield, there are activity-based museums such as the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Foundation museums in London, or the various museums of childhood in Derbyshire, Edinburgh and the Victoria and Albert in Bethnal Green; all of which are popular venues for Key Stage 1 students.
Many providers cater for both day and short-term residential adventure activities, and both the National Trust and Forestry Commission run activities specifically tailored for the KS1 age-group.
Children are often interested in the theatre and music, and usually begin with trips to pantomimes and musicals in Key Stage 1. You can find guidance on ‘kids’ theatre in London here, and over in East Anglia there is the Norwich Puppet Theatre with Bristol Old Vic in the West Country; there’s bound to be a good venue near you!
Suitable Venues
Delightful formal garden
The garden, complete with working kitchen garden and orchard, lies in the charming village of Tintinhull, Somerset. Glittering pools, secluded lawns, colourful borders and clipped hedges provide the perfect spot to relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle.
One of the Trust's most delightful medieval buildings, enhanced by a cottage garden
Acquired in 1903, this unusual and atmospheric 14th-century yeoman's farmhouse is the Trust's first built property in Cornwall. With a famously wavy slate roof and over 600 years of history it beckons the curious to explore.
The name dates from the Victorian period when it briefly held a licence to be the letter receiving station for the district.
Rambling Suffolk farmhouse built around 1600
Thorington Hall is one of the best timber-framed houses in Suffolk. Building phases determine its unusual shape and it may also be because adjoining buildings have since been demolished. The staggered roofline, for example, shows the difference between the 1630 house and 1700 extension.
The only surviving Regency playhouse in Britain
Theatre Royal is one of Britain's most significant theatre buildings and the only surviving Regency playhouse in the country.
The recently restored Grade I listed theatre offers you an authentic 19th century theatre-going experience, combined with contemporary bar and restaurant for the 21st century theatre-goer.
The National Nature Reserve status of Bradfield Woods recognises the fact that this is one of the most important woods in the country. Bradfield Woods is steeped in history and brimming with wildlife. The award-winning carbon-positive building includes a classroom, covered veranda and toilets.
Lackford Lakes is a wildlife haven created from gravel pits. Designated SSSI, with wetland, woodland, scrub, sandy heath and 11 lakes, birds and other wildlife can be seen close-up all year round. Located at the heart of the reserve, the centre has a classroom overlooking the reedbed, viewing gallery, picnic area and toilets.
Our education centre in Bolton sits on the edge of the magnificent wildlife haven, Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve. The reserve contains a variety of habitats including woodlands, grasslands, ponds and Bradshaw Brook — a fantastic urban river. Facilities include two purpose built classrooms, the larger of which can accommodate groups of up to 60 children.
Escape to this spectacular riverside garden and be absorbed by natural beauty
Bordered by the River Wye, The Weir sits within unspoilt Herefordshire countryside and has many historical secrets to uncover. For centuries this site has been used as a pleasure ground for fishing, boating and swimming. It is managed in a natural way to create a varied habitat for wildlife.
As well as a range of native trees and wildlife (including budgies and guinea pigs!) there's an aviary and a play area for children. The island also provides wonderful views upstream of the weir and the wooded slopes of the Cliveden Estate.
Surrounded by beauty... steeped in history
An intimate family home, the history of The Vyne spans the centuries. From its royal beginnings in Tudor times to its place today as a intriguing retreat for you to explore, you can lose yourself in the surroundings that inspired great authors such as Jane Austen.
The Studio aims to provide a complete conservation service for historic textiles
Our only in-house conservation treatment facility, the Textile Conservation Studio was founded in 1976 at Blickling Hall in Norfolk. Since 2002, the Textile Conservation Studio has been based in a specially converted, award-winning building on the Blickling estate.
The Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum is located in Market Square at the heart of Lisburn's old town centre. The Museum has a permanent exhibition 'Flax to Fabric, the story of linen' in the Irish Linen Centre and mounts a programme of temporary exhibitions relating to its textile, social history and art collections.
Beautiful open downland,sheer chalk cliffs and dramatic sea views
Be inspired as Tennyson was
Tennyson Down is probably one of the most popular places to walk on the Island. You can enjoy it just for the great leg-stretch from Freshwater Bay to the Needles Headland, and drink in the salt laden air that so inspired Tennyson. However every time you visit, the light and weather conditions are different so it is well worth returning.
Enjoy the Views from the Highest Go Ape Platform at 18 metres.
Our adventure near Hawkshead (the jewel in our crown) has always proved a popular day out. Built on a side of a hill, it feels seriously high. And that’s because it is.
Delightful English country garden
Full of variety, this charming garden shows the English country style at its best.
Peaceful water gardens and herbaceous borders, with organically shaped topiary, demonstrate an imaginative use of colour and planting, creating unexpected vistas.
Stroll through the arboretum with its wonderful species of trees and naturally planted spring bulbs.
The award winning Kingsdown Sports Centre in Kingsdown, Bristol offers member a gym, group cycling studio, squash courts, sports hall and health suite.
The gym, which recently won a gold award at the National Health Club Awards, offers members the very latest in fitness equipment along with fitness focused instructors who know how to motivate.
Quiet nature reserve with a surprising array of habitats
The Chase is a small property of 143 acres of woodland near the village of Woolton Hill, close to the Hampshire/Berkshire border, which supports a wide community of walkers and regular visitors through schools and naturalist groups.
The land was bought by Sir Kenneth Swan in 1930 and the site soon transformed into the nature reserve that stands today.
The main feature is a giant soft play frame welcoming children from 3 to 11 years offering multi level multi color adventure featuring all the classic fun features and padded equipment one expects from modern softplay from balls and slides to tunnels and bridges while they race and chase to the top!
Villages and countryside criss-crossed with trails
The Buscot and Coleshill Estates are traditional estates on the edge of Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. They are made up of 7,000 acres, three villages, 850 acres of woodlands and 12 let farms.
We offer free visits to NT education group members, free teacher visits, an education officer to assist with planning, education volunteers and a covered area for picnics and lunches.
An historical estate with a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1000 acres of deer park, a rare breed farm and medieval Old Hall
For nearly 400 years the estate was the property of the Egerton family until it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1958. It is now financed and maintained by Cheshire East Council. This is one of the most complete historic estates open to visitors.
Traditional hay meadows rich in wild flowers
Three enclosed fields of exceptionally species-rich, unimproved, neutral grassland, managed as traditional hay meadows, near Chippenham. Two are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the other is a designated County Wildlife Site.
With its fantastic population of green-winged and southern marsh orchids, Sutton Lane Meadows is one of the best meadow sites in Wiltshire.
Family friendly ice skating rink with loads of other sporting opportunities besides within the leisure centre. Great fun for all ages and good for bonding while you watch mum and dad fall over.
Cheam Leisure Centre provides the local community with a gym, swimming pool, group exercise programme, health suite, sports hall, squash courts and meeting room.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.