You'll find plenty to keep younger visitors occupied in Avebury this half term, from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May, with games and toys in Avebury Manor and special half term activities in Avebury Manor Garden.
Dressing up closet at Avebury Manor
Head to Avebury Manor Garden and follow the new Busy Bees trail; water the flowers to keep them blooming, piece together a honeycomb puzzle, find out interesting facts about bees and catch the honey as it drips into the pot. This playful, interactive experience is free with normal garden entry tickets, suitable for all ages and celebrates the magic the busy bees bring to the manor garden.
Explore the individual garden rooms and discover teepees, deck chairs, an obstacle course, and children's games in the Church Garden. A sensory map for children is also available to pick up and follow from the garden gate. Perfect for neurodivergent visitors or younger families, you can use the free map to discover the best places to listen to the wind, smell the herbs, and look at the wildlife.
Dogs on fixed, short leads are welcome in the garden. Entry to Avebury Manor Garden is free for National Trust members, please see the website for more information
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury/family-friendly-things-to-do-at-avebury1
Visit the newly re-opened Avebury Manor with the brand new ‘Avebury at Home’ experience. You'll find a new play den, children's toys, books and the much-loved dressing up closet in the Withdrawing Room, puzzles in the Great Chamber, and colouring-in in the Servants Hall. Normal admission applies, but entry to Avebury Manor is free to National Trust members.
In the barn, the children's table has free puzzles, jigsaws, books, and colouring and there's a magnetic play table for children to build their own neolithic palisades. There is also a new mixed-reality adventure for any keen gamers to try out for free. Dive into the past by downloading Ages of Avebury on your phone in the barn. The game involves becoming a surveyor and searching for hidden stones, uncovering the mystery of a missing archaeologist. The downloadable app will also let you see an augmented reality version of Avebury.
Avebury Manor Garden celebration day will take place on 25 May at 11am-3pm.
A spokesperson said: “Join us in the garden to make your own flower crowns, or to plant a seed to take home with you. Our 2026 artist in residence Georgie Weedon will also be hosting a relaxed paint-along session, giving you the chance to create your own piece of art. Live music will be provided on the day by the Baker's Dozen Choir and Head Gardener Garry Mumford will be available to answer your own gardening questions.”
Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Just down the road at Lacock Abbey from 23-31 May, between 10am-5pm you will find art boxes in the orchard with everything you need to create a masterpiece. Visit the Bothy to make a butterfly mask and pick up a spotter sheet and wild-art sheet to discover and create on a walk around the gardens and woodland.
This is a free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Unseen Colour by Werner Bischof: Photography Exhibition takes place during May, between 10am-5pm. Unseen Colour presents a treasure trove of previously unknown colour images from the late 1930s and early 1940s. This is a free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. For further information, visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lacock
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