May half-term at Croft Castle
Unravel the mystery of 'The Secret Garden' on our half-term trail, spot the spring flowers in the walled garden, discover Croft during the First World War on 2 and 3 June and learn more about some of the key women of Croft as we celebrate 100 years since the Representation of the People Act.
'The Secret Garden' was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and was first published in 1911. Relive this magical story every day during May half-term (Saturday 26 May to Sunday 3 June, 10am to 4pm). See if you can spot the clues and unravel the mystery that will lead you to the Secret Garden at Croft; stop the garden from being neglected by learning how to care for it, just like our gardeners do all year round. Trails are £2.50 each and include a prize at the end.
Then on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June, discover more about life on the Home Front during the First World War. Join Simon Jarman as he cooks up some traditional wartime recipes, such as barley broth, and see demonstrations, archive material, uniforms and memorabila in the castle. Listen to live concert bands and learn about what life was like for women who were contributing to the war effort at home, including on the land and in the munitions factories.
Check out our what's on listings for more information about our trails and events.
Discover carpets of spring colour in the parkland this half-term, including bold foxgloves, red campions and sprinklings of enchanters nightshade. Bluebells will be blooming from the end of April and throughout May; head to the wood pasture and the carriage-rides in Fishpool Valley for fabulous displays and blankets of blue.
Go wild in the natural play area in the parkland and tick off some of your '50 things to do' while you're at it; build a den, fly a kite, make a daisy chain, create some wild art, explore inside a tree and more. Check out our mini-castle play area which is perfect for little explorers and can be found opposite the tea-room.
Dress up and play 1950's games in the castle and learn more about some of the key women of Croft through objects and paintings in the collection. Grab a cuppa from the tea-room and check out our new retail ranges in the shop, including our children's pocket-money range. Every penny you spend at Croft helps us to look after it for ever, for everyone.