50-day ‘summer of play’ event given go-ahead at popular National Trust estate

The event will offer a ‘family-festival feel’

A 50-day summer event at a popular National Trust site has been given the go-ahead. Back in May, the National Trust’s Wimpole Estate submitted plans to hold a 50-day “summer of play” event in the front park of the estate.

These plans have now been approved. As part of the plans, the estate proposed to put up four temporary medium-sized bell tents for “various play and recreational activities for families and children”.

In its application, a National Trust spokesperson said: “Whether it’s spending time in nature, getting messy with arts and crafts or dressing up and putting on a show, there are plenty of exciting ways for families and little adventurers to experience this year’s Summer of Play.

“Kicking off in July and taking place over the summer holidays, our Summer of Play will have a family-festival feel and will be jam-packed with games and experiences at 145 places we care for.”

Across the 50 days, the estate will hold “structured and free-play activities suitable for children and families”. These will include nature-based learning, physical games, creative crafts, storytelling sessions and sensory play.

The National Trust said its Summer of Play event will support “public health and social cohesion, particularly by providing accessible opportunities for play and community engagement during school holidays”.

The event will be free to National Trust members. The front park where the event will be held forms part of the Wimpole parkland.

It’s occasionally used for livestock and has historically been used for events. It’s mainly made up of grass and accessible by footpaths to and from the main visitor car park.