Bucklers Hard 50th Anniversary

Over the weekend of the 6^th & 7^th April KIDS GO FREE* at Buckler’s Hard, the 18^th century shipbuilding village on the banks of the Beaulieu River, where ships for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar were built.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Maritime Museum in 1964, KIDS GO FREE* as the village comes alive with fun activities including Victorian games and Fun Trails with lots of prizes to be won. Learn about life in the village from Living History characters, hear rousing sea shanties from the strolling Shantymen and watch traditional craft demonstrations.

Visit the refurbished Maritime Museum which reveals the story of this unique village at the time of Henry Adams, the Master Shipbuilder at Buckler’s Hard in the 18^th century when over 50 ships were built for the British Navy.  New displays in the museum explore Smuggling and Village Life at Buckler’s Hard. Additional displays include the SS Persia Exhibition and a film telling the story of the role played by Buckler’s Hard during WWII.

Historic displays in the Labourer’s and Shipwright’s cottages show how the village would have looked in the early 1800s and in the New Inn, you can hear gossip from residents of the time.

On display at the edge of the Beaulieu River you can also see the Indigenous boat used by Daniel Craig in the James Bond film, QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

As you follow the nearby Woodland Walk you will discover how the local timber at Buckler’s Hard was used in the 18^th and 19^th centuries to construct ships for the British Navy.  

You can take a River Cruise (at a small extra charge) which transports you on a tranquil journey along the River, revealing the abundant wildlife that inhabits its banks.

Don’t forget to visit the Captain’s Cabin Tea Rooms which serves a range of light refreshments and drinks, including delicious cream teas, throughout the day.

*To claim your KIDS GO FREE admission on the weekend of 6^th/7^th April 2013 visit:http://www.bucklershard.co.uk/familyfun T&Cs apply.

What's on at Harewood this Spring

Spring is just around the corner and Harewood House, situated a stone’s throw from Harrogate and Leeds, has a jam-packed event schedule for the whole family to enjoy this May.

Medieval Faire at Harewood

Returning for a second year, Harewood hosts a Medieval Faire on Sun 26th and Mon 27th May. With an anticipated 500 re-enactors, battles, archery, jousting, authentic market, encampments and a real archaeological dig, it’s set to be an action-packed weekend for the whole family. Set in the superb Grounds of Harewood, complete with historic 13th century Castle ruins and a 15th century Church to discover, it’s the North’s most spectacular medieval event. Day tickets are available starting at £15, but with so much to see and do you can make a weekend of it, camp and really engross yourself in the medieval atmosphere with tickets from just £25.

2013 also brings the seventh Kite Festival & Teddy Bears’ Picnic to Harewood on Sat 18th and Sun 19th May. Little ones get free admission if they bring their favourite fluffy friend for the teddy bear kite drop, and to accompany them to the teddy bears’ picnic. Enjoy a Spring day as the skies are filled with an array of colourful kites, bring your own and join in the fun or watch the experts, the Northern Kite Group, across the beautiful vista overlooking the House.

The whole family can get out and about and immerse themselves in all things ‘play’ on Sun 5th and Mon 6th May at A Festival of Play. Embrace your inner child and enjoy high ropes, adrenaline zorbing, freerunning, interactive workshops, storytelling, donkey rides and an exciting fairground to name just a few. LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester are also bringing a thrilling assortment of LEGO activities for young and old alike. Get active and join in, admission is included in standard entry fee (from £10) or free to Harewood members.

The popular Museums at Night returns for another year on the evening of 16th May with ‘Harewood at Twilight’. Experience exclusive House and collection talks, refreshments and food on the picturesque, candlelit Terrace and the noted physiognomist Johann Caspar Lavater (1741-1801) returns for one night only to give instruction in the noble art of Shades in our silhouette portraiture workshop. Museums at Night is a unique event not to be missed, tickets only £5 in advance.

Book for any of May’s events before the end of March and receive 25% off your ticket price, quote ‘EARLY BIRD’ at the Box Office on 0113 218 1000 or visit www.harewood.org/whats-on

Daffodils Delight at Beaulieu

Spring-time at Beaulieu

Pay a visit to Beaulieu on Sunday, 24^th March and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque gardens where, at this time of year, an abundance of beautiful blooms herald the arrival of spring.

The banks of the dry moat surrounding the Montagu family home, Palace House, and the lawns of the adjacent Wilderness Garden, which dates back to the 1770s, are a mass of colour with thousands of snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils carpeting the grounds.

Join Victorian gardener, Ruben Moore, on a Spring Flowers tour and view the stunning mass of 15 different varieties of daffodil that flower throughout the early spring, adding a riot of colour to Beaulieu’s extensive gardens.

In the Ornamental Vegetable Kitchen Garden, laid out on the site of the original 1872 Palace House kitchen garden, planting is in progress for the summer’s crop of fruit and vegetables, while in the Victorian Flower Garden, created in recognition of the Victorians’ interest in plants and gardens, the shrubs in the herbaceous border are emerging from their winter slumber.

Experience the peace and tranquillity of the walled Cloisters and herb garden within the ruins of 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey. One of the surviving buildings, the Domus, now houses a film presentation and exhibition of Monastic life, and a series of embroidered wall hangings depict scenes from the Abbey’s history.

The beautiful rooms and treasures of Palace House are also well worth a visit. Built around the Great Gatehouse of the Abbey, the house is now kept in the style of its later Victorian additions. History comes alive as real Victorian characters, the Butler, Footman and Housemaids, give a fascinating insight into life ‘Upstairs and Downstairs’ in a Victorian country house.

Whilst at Beaulieu you can also see the National Motor Museum, with its collection of over 250 vehicles from every motoring era, plus World Land Speed Record Breakers and F1 racers. Take a ride on ‘Wheels’, a fascinating journey through 100 years of motoring, and see the museum’s acclaimed exhibition BOND IN MOTION, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise with 50 original vehicles from the films.

And before leaving, why not complete your visit with a delicious afternoon Cream Tea in the Brabazon Restaurant.

Beaulieu is open from 10am – 5pm with plenty of free parking. For more information, visitwww.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

Leeds Castle treasure hunt could win you real treasure!

Follow a family treasure trail through the grounds of Leeds Castle this Easter bank holiday to be in with a chance of winning a collectable British Gold Sovereign.

From the 29 March to the 1 April, spring will be in bloom and an exciting treasure hunt will take you around the colourful grounds of the estate in search of answers and clues.There will be questions for children to answer in reward for a chocolate coin, as well as more challenging questions to complete to be in with a chance of winning one of Leeds Castle’s exciting experiences.

The final section of the treasure hunt will be the hardest and if you answer all the questions correctly, your entry will go into the draw to win a gold Sovereign.

Spring arts and craft activities will be available in an exciting marquee. A small additional charge of £2.50 per child applies, which will include a treasure hunt card, chocolate coin, badge and craft activities.

Visit the Leeds Castle shops for a delicious range of Easter treats including a new range of chicken themed fine bone china by Sophie Allport, unusual Chocolate Alchemist eggs and chocolate ducks sitting on mini egg nests, with prices from £1.50.

Your Key to the Castle ticket is valid for the daytime weekend event. Tickets cost £19.75 for adults; £17.50 for seniors and visitors with disabilities (carer goes free); £12.50 for children (under 4’s free). Tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round.

Leeds Castle is located near Maidstone in Kent just off Junction 8 of the M20 and only one hour’s drive from London. Grounds open at 10am daily and the castle is open from 10.30am. Last admission is 4.30pm and gates close at 6pm

Christmas at Harewood - Indulge in the magic of Christmas.

Enjoy a traditional Christmas at Harewood this year - open weekends from 24th November to 16th December. Harewood House, between Leeds and Harrogate, has pulled out all the stops for a truly traditional Christmas, with seasonal crafts, activities and merry events for all the family.

Every weekend little ones can meet Father Christmas by the Fireside in the Servants Hall (from 11:00am - 3:30pm). They can snuggle up and enjoy a festive tale and receive an early Christmas gift made especially in the Elves workshop. (£12.50 pre-booked half hour session, includes entry to the grounds.) Historically, Below Stairs is where Christmas was created for guests on the State Floor, you can get in the spirit with cookery demonstrations in the   Old Kitchen and sample some delectable treats. Or, enjoy some retail therapy in our festive Gourmet Shop filled with irresistible goodies in our transformed Pastry Room.  Then you can visit the grandest rooms on the State Floor which will be sumptuously dressed for Christmas (open 12 – 3pm) giving you a sneak peek of how the family celebrate.

 
Music has long played a part in Christmas at Harewood and you can experience a magical ‘Carols by Candlelight’ service by St Aidan’s Choir and Brass Band on 6th December in Harewood’s All Saints’ Church. Enjoy warming festive refreshments and treats in the unique atmosphere of this Medieval Church. During your visit, explore the award-winning Harewood Grounds and Gardens for an adventurous walk in your woollies and pay a visit to Father Christmas’s faithful friends in the penguin pool, feeding at 2pm.

Try your hand at creating your own Christmas decorations this year with Wreath Making or Table Centre Floristry workshops (11th December/18th December) with Harewood’s award winning House Florist Gillian Gill (pre-book only, visit www.harewood.org/winter for more details).

Meanwhile in the Courtyard, get some Christmas shopping done and treat your nearest and dearest in Harewood’s recently refurbished Courtyard shop, stocking designer homeware and gifts seldom available outside of London and refuel with some seasonal treats at Harewood’s Courtyard Restaurant. 

To be a member at Harewood and enjoy exclusive benefits, visit www.harewood.org/membership – membership also makes a great Christmas gift.