Enjoy a whole Summer of Play at Lacock Abbey

This summer holiday there’s a way to play every day in the Parkland at Lacock Abbey. Cared for by the National Trust, Lacock is taking part in the nationwide Summer of Play which is organised by the charity and sponsored by Starling Bank. Covering five different play themes visitors can explore nature, get creative, put on a play and get sporty in 11 different activity stations dotted around the parkland.

Formerly an 18^th century water garden, the parkland has recently become part of the grounds available to be explored by Lacock’s visitors, with the meandering mown paths perfect for a holiday play space. 

In the craft tent creative types can try a different craft activity each week. Crafts run every day during the week and are facilitated by volunteers, with art boxes and friendship bracelet supplies available every day.

On the 19 August Trowbridge’s SILT (Sustainable Image Lab, Trowbridge) will be providing anthotype workshops to celebrate World Photography Day. The photographic negative was invented at Lacock in the 19^th century, so programming regularly offers activities exploring different photography techniques. Visitors can make a cyanotype, otherwise known as a sun print, or anthotype using plant-based solutions to create images.

Children can find a different character for the day in the dressing up tent and put on a show on the Lacock hay-bale stage. There’s badminton, wobble boards and cornhole for the action heroes. For the wild at heart find nature activities including bird spotting, spider-web weaving and a barefoot walk. On select Tuesdays and Fridays visitors can meet the ranger in the nature zone and make either a bug hotel or corn dolly to take home. There’s something for the little ones too, with a sensory play tent by the picnic area. 

“Summer of Play is such a joyful moment at Lacock, where all the family can get involved and discover something new.’ says Libby Woolfrey, Senior Visitor Experience Officer, ‘it has been great to see people exploring and playing in the parkland as we haven’t used it in this way before. We’re excited about the different activities we have on offer, which all highlight in different ways what makes Lacock so special.”

Lacock’s Summer of Play runs every day until 1 September, with family craft sessions running in the creative zone on weekdays during the school holidays.  All activities are included in the cost of admission, with Meet the Ranger activities needing pre-booking. More details on Lacock’s website. Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.