The pick of National Trust half term fun in Kent & East Sussex

If the children have been stuck indoors this winter, then February half term is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to get outside and make the most of the 92 hours and 19 minutes of half term daylight at beautiful National Trust places. 

Across the county, many National Trust places will also be hosting fun family events during half term week, including crafts, exciting challenges, storytelling and quiz-packed trails. You could also go on an outdoor adventure and try ticking off some of the Trust’s ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ such as den building and kite flying. 

There’s 119 hours and 30 minutes of half term fun available in Kent and 105 hours and 30 minutes in East Sussex, so take your pick from our top family places for an entertaining day out: 

Kent 

Chartwell

Monday 17 – Friday 21 February, 11am-3.30pm

Paint and play workshops. Come to Chartwell in winter to play in our beautiful estate and have a go at painting and printing in the Mulberry Room

Children £5 

Ightham Mote

Daily from Saturday 15 February – Sunday 23 February, 11am-3pm

Come along and do a trail around the estate, find out how to make wild art and track some animals - pick up your trail sheet to complete some of your 50 things. Plus storytelling in the Gift Shop

Normal admission charges apply 

Thursday 20 February, 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm

Join us in the Mote Restaurant to make, bake and decorate edible goodies in our family baking workshop

Tickets £6.50. Booking essential 01732 811314 

Knole

Saturday 15, Sunday 16 and Saturday 22 February, 2pm-3pm

Join us for a guided park walk around the Knole estate with one of our experienced leaders. All walks start outside the Brewhouse Café and are suitable for little legs!

Free event 

Scotney Castle

Daily from Saturday 15 February – Sunday 23 February, 10am-4pm

Join us in our discovery room to make your very own kite. Then head out on to our estate to see how it flies

Normal admission charges apply. Each kite £2

 East Sussex

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Saturday 15 and Saturday 26 February, 10am-12.30pm

Nature’s medicine chest. Walk with a medical herbalist and learn how to make medicine from the plants in this area. Total walk distance one mile

Adults £15, children £7.50. Booking 01323 423 197 

Bodiam Castle

Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 February, 11am-4pm

The household returns. Join in some half term fun with trails and craft activities around the castle as the Bodiam household returns home and the castle comes to life again after the winter. Who knows which members of the household you’ll meet - it could be the stone mason at work, the baker preparing bread for the family or even a fine lady

Normal admission charges apply. Small additional charge applies for some activities. 

Sheffield Park

Daily from Monday 17 February – Sunday 23 February, 11am-12.30pm

Join us to make your own kite and tick off number 7 of your 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾. Our parkland is a great place to run around with your kite and see how long you can keep it in the air

Normal admission charges apply/ Children £2, includes template and all kite making materials. Booking advisable. 

Standen

Daily from Saturday 15 February – Sunday 23 February, 11am-4pm

Fab Feb – join us for a trail in the house or pick up an activity pack from the Apple Store filled with fun things to do. Our special activity days include make and take crafts on Monday and sweet pea planting on Friday – a small additional charge applies for these events.

Normal admission charges apply.

Photos © John Millar