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Summer of Play at Calke Abbey
The school holidays can only mean one thing at National Trust Calke Abbey – Summer of Play has returned, jam-packed with more activities, games, and fun in the great outdoors than ever before.
Sponsored by Starling Bank, expect fun-filled family days out and exciting adventures, with plenty to entertain the kids all summer long.
The Kitchen Garden has been mowed and transformed once again into the Garden of Imagination, with nine exciting zones to discover. Charge into Adventure Avenue and tackle the giant obstacle course, try showjumping in the Hobby Horse Championships or channel your inner performer in The Musical Magic Theatre.
After a morning or afternoon of exploring, refuel with a well-deserved ice cream from the Snack and Relax area and then enjoy a time out in the quiet Zen Zone. Here you can cool off in the shade, cloud watch, borrow a book from the reading corner or try the sensory barefoot walk.
Senior Visitor Experience Officer, Alannah Rasen says: ‘The Garden of Imagination is back and bigger than ever before this summer, packed full of every flavour of play imaginable. With plenty to get stuck into, we look forward to welcoming families to the Garden of Imagination again and again, as they find new ways to have fun and create wonderful memories together.’
Revisit another day to play at Calke Explore. Gear up at the cycle hire facility, with a range of bikes to choose from, including trailers for little ones or four-legged friends. Then pedal onto the close-by Tramway Trail and soak up the sights of summer through woodland, farmland, pasture and parts of the old historic horse-drawn tramway that linked Ticknall to Ashby.
But the cycling adventures don’t end there! Little ones can put their cycling skills to the test on a balance bike course, set up in the overflow car park at Calke Explore.
Alannah continues: ‘The cycle hire team will bring a new course every Thursday in August, challenging little ones to have a go at weaving through slalom poles, balancing over bridges and tackling ramps. Learning to ride a bike is often a rite of passage for many children. We hope this balance bike course will help little ones build their confidence on two wheels until they’re ready to progress to a bike with pedals.’
The natural play area inside the woodland of Calke Explore is a firm family favourite, and with cover amongst the trees, it’s the perfect outdoor activity no matter the weather. Spend the afternoon climbing, swinging and spinning amongst nature.
There’s something new to discover at every National Trust Summer of Play, so if you’re looking to switch things up, why not head over to our neighbouring properties, Foremark and Staunton Harold?
Channel your inner performer at Foremark, with circus skills workshops lead by Circus Sensible on select Wednesdays. Learn from the experts and master juggling, plate spinning, diabolo, and other circus tricks. Or sit back, relax and enjoy live music from local musicians on select Saturdays and Sundays.
Enjoy a summer in the great outdoors at Staunton Harold, with games for the whole family to enjoy. Challenge friends and family to badminton, giant Jenga, skittles or sports day races and then cool down with an ice cream from the café.
