Your ultimate guide to the National Trust's Summer of Play

Bringing a family festival atmosphere to 175 National Trust sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Summer of Play offers hundreds of events - including music, performances and immersive storytelling, straw-bale mazes and castles, den building, pop-up sports days and special events. National Trust Director General Hilary McGrady says: "There are endless adventures waiting to be uncovered - and who knows, your child might just turn out to be a dab hand at archery or a budding David Attenborough. There's truly something for everyone, everywhere."

• There's usually no need to book and most Summer of Play activities, sponsored by Starling Bank and supported by Sport England, are included with standard admission - free for Trust members, NT holiday-cottage guests and under fives

SOUTH WEST

Killerton, Devon, (Jul 19 to Sept 7), boasts six different play areas, with frisbee golf, swingball and loose parts play to climb and build. At Saltram, Devon, (July 19 to Aug 31), step into the spotlight with a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination and adventure. Kingston Lacy, Dorset, (Jul 19 to Sept 7), boasts giant building blocks, puppet theatre and games and activities. Pack a picnic or pop to the picnic trailer or café for lunch, hot and cold drinks or ice creams. Covering 300 acres of countryside, Trelissick, Cornwall, (July 19 to Sept 2), offers plenty of adventures. Play tennis on the West Lawn, try lawn games or embrace your creativity and make-believe in the stables where you'll find a stage ready for you to put on a show. The Victorian Gothic Revival house at Tyntesfield, near Bristol, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), offers pastimes from giant chess, to more modern games like the floor is lava - work your way around the world, learning their origins. There are also plenty of great play activities at Lanhydrock, Cornwall, (July 24 to Aug 31). Enjoy adventures at the world-famous gardens and lake at Stourhead, Wilts (Until Sept 2). Scramble up the mighty straw castle, aim for gold at the archery range, or race through the meadow maze. Enjoy summer fete-themed fun at Barrington Court, Somerset, (Jul 19 to Sept 1). No longer a home for cows and pigs, the 1920s farmyard will host the play hub with activities for all the family. Experience the Ultimate Roman Adventure at Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucs, (Aug 4 to Sept 1); with games, puzzles, crafts and artefact handling and more.

LONDON AND SOUTH EAST

Amid rolling hills at Polesden Lacey, Surrey, (Jul 19 to Sept 14), enjoy games and activities inspired by the work carried out by the Trust's fantastic rangers and gardeners. Pack a picnic to enjoy Ham House and Garden, London, (Jul 23 to Aug 31), one of the grandest Stuart houses in England, with outdoor activities and games. Or visit Scotney Castle, Kent, (Jul 26 to Aug 31), for games and activities for all ages, all set against the dreamy gardens, castle ruins and moat. At Grade II-listed Nymans, West Sussex, (Jul 19 to Sept 5), head down to Comber's Field for activities, games and races, while in the play glade get den building or play in the wooden cabin. Have fun scarecrow spotting at Hatchlands Park, Surrey, (Jul 23 to Sept 3) - see how many you can find dotted around the parkland. Visit The Vyne, Hants, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), for fun-filled games set in spacious gardens. Who'll win the relay race or triumph at giant chess? Set in an unspoiled Chiltern Valley, Hughenden, Bucks, (Jul 24 to Sept 7), offers skittles, target practice, hula hoops and many more activities. Follow your free map at Basildon Park, Berks, (Jul 26 to Aug 31), as you set out on a play-filled visit through historic parkland and garden. Discover games, play trails and activities.

NORTH WEST

Quarry Bank, Cheshire, (Jul 19 to Sept 14), is the beating heart of a popular all-weather day out packed with play, creativity, and discovery - with different themes every day. There's a host of imaginative activities at Lyme Park, Cheshire, (Jul 18 to Sept 7): let your imagination run wild in the Garden as you gallop your way from Netherfield to Meryton, and experience the locations of Pride & Prejudice through the eyes of a child. At Speke Hall, Liverpool, (Jul 21 to Aug 31), there's something for everyone, from making mud pies, running races, opportunities to build and create or simply getting cosy with a good book. Visit Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester, (Until Sept 7), for a sensory trail, mindfulness, storytelling and fancy dress. Take a trip back in time at Hardwick, Derbyshire, (Jul 19 to Sept 1), to enjoy Elizabethan-themed entertainment activities. And at Sizergh, Cumbria, (Until Aug 31), enjoy lawn games and dressing up, inspired by archival footage from the family archive, or follow the scallop trail indoors to trace 800 years of family history.

NORTH EAST AND YORKSHIRE

UNESCO World Heritage site Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorks, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), you'll be hopping, skipping and jumping around different activity stations and racing to have a go at games you might have never seen before. Head to the circus tents on the ball games field and see what's in store for you. At Gibside, Tyne & Wear, (until Sept 2), tiny explorers will love the sensory play scattered across the Walled Garden. Grown-ups are invited too. Inspired by 400 years of history at East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorks, (Jul 26 to Aug 31), you can experience games from different eras. Wentworth Castle Gardens, South Yorkshire, (Jul 23 to Aug 31), boasts an array of outdoor games, plus music, storytelling and the chance to become a mini-gardener. Get active against the backdrop of Grade I-listed Crook Hall, Durham, (Jul 19 to Sept 3), with self-led outdoor games and activities all summer. Or enjoy a party at Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), with pop-up events throughout the summer holidays including circus activities, the recycled junk Orchestra and the Baroque-inspired stage in the West Wing.

MIDLANDS AND EAST

Activities at Hanbury Hall, Worcs, (July 19 to Aug 31), are inspired by the magnificent wall paintings inside the Hall, and the Victorian fetes held by the Vernon family, including coconut shy, hoopla, and tin can alley, or dance around a giant maypole. The 'Garden of Imagination' is back at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire, (Jul 12 to Sept 3), with endless opportunities from hobby horse racing to putting on a stage performance. Unleash your competitive side at Benthall Hall, Shrops, (Jul 21 to Aug 30) with tons of outdoor activities. Get ready for beach-themed activities suitable for all the family at Anglesey Abbey, Cambs, (Jul 19 to Aug 31). Have a play in the giant sand pit, take part in seaside arts and crafts and challenge your friends to a game of badminton or volleyball. Frolic at Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate, Norfolk, (Jul 23 to Sept 2), with sports equipment and activities filling the meadow area by the 17th century Hall. Attingham Park, Shrops, (Until Sept 1), also has a daily calendar of workshops and activities throughout August, including a straw castle! Embrace the family festival feel at Baddesley Clinton, Warks, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), by visiting the poetry tipi on the front lawn to create a poem on our old-fashioned typewriters, dress up and put on a performance. Charlecote Park, Warks, (Jul 22 to Sept 2), has plenty of fun outdoorsy activities on the Paddock. Bring a picnic and spend the day adventuring in the parkland. Over at the Belton Estate, Lincs, (Jul 19 to Sept 3), youngsters can join the 'Big Dig' for treasures in the sand pits, or become an Ancient Egyptian with our mummification station and hieroglyphics code games. Clumber Park, Notts, (Jul 19 to Sept 7), will turn its front field into nine exciting play zones, jam-packed with activities to suit every age and interest. Get active at Croome, Worcs, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), with a whole host of lawn and fairground games, create musical or theatrical performances on the stage, and take part in free workshops that include printmaking, pond dipping, reading challenges, and photography. Lose track of time at Ickworth, Suffolk, (Jul 19 to Sept 2), weaving through wild mazes, playing in mud kitchens, and immersing yourself in the sensory garden. Join in the festival feeling at Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak, Staffordshire, (Jul 19 to Sept 7),and explore the many exciting play opportunities for all ages, from tiny tots, to not so grown ups! At Shugborough, Staffs, (Jul 12 to Sept 7), the working estate and former family home of photographer Patrick Lichfield invites families to set sail on the haybale ship 'HMS Shugborough', and toddler sized haybale tugboat. Dive into a world of fun at Wimpole, Cambs, (Jul 24 to Sept 3), amid a vibrant festival atmosphere, perfect for families and children of all ages. At Dudmaston Estate Cromer Woods, Shrops, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), get creative with sports games, music making, den building and cycling. Embark on a medieval journey at Croft Castle and Parkland, Herefordshire, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), with props and dress-up fun on the mini festival stage.

WALES

Enjoy an unforgettable visit to Tredegar House, Newport, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), with colourful beach huts, post a 'seaside postcard' at the mini post office, explore a pop-up seaside art gallery, or serve up treats at the 'sweet stand'. Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), is celebrating the childhoods of Philip and Simon, the last squires of Erddig, with a series of family-friendly activities inspired by their garden adventures. Afterwards, enjoy traditional garden games, including large dominoes, skittles, and badminton. At Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), you can hop, skip and jump your way to being the Dyffryn champion. Meanwhile, at Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), you can splash about in water play and let your imagination run wild. Medieval Powis Castle and Garden, Powys, (Jul 19 to Sept 2), boasts a variety of activities including balance beams, crawl nets, football fun - or be a frog hopping lily pad to lily pad. Enjoy the vast garden and grounds of Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Gwynedd, (Jul 19 to Aug 31) - including showing off your talents on the performing stage, testing your building and creative skills in the construction zone and getting the family involved in racquet games. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Snowdonia mountains, Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), will you become an artist, poet, athlete, or dancer? Nestled in the secluded Aeron Valley, the Grade I-listed Georgian mansion at Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion, (Jul 19 to Aug 31), includes walled gardens and a working farm. Unleash your creativity at Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham, (July 19 to Aug 31), with Chirks Big Play Adventure - an exciting experience featuring four themed zones: Forest, Meadow, Stream and Kitchen Garden.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Whether you're a budding artist, an aspiring athlete, or an explorer, there's something for everyone at Rowallane, County Down, (Until Aug 31). The tranquil 2,000-acre Crom, County Fermanagh, (Until Aug 31), is one of Ireland's most important conservation areas with tranquil islands and ancient woodlands. Castle Ward, Co Down, (Until Aug 31) features five exciting play zones across the historic estate's sprawling parklands, woodland glades and tranquil lakeshore havens. With Mount Stewart, County Down, (Jul 12 to Aug 25), as your backdrop, enjoy five themed zones filled with imaginative, creative and energetic activities - all designed for children (and their grown-ups) to enjoy at their own pace. Experience the grandeur of stunning 18th century Castle Coole, County Fermanagh, (Until Aug 31), with games, play trails and other activities. Explore the 320-acre estate at The Argory, County Armagh, (Until Aug 31). Play tennis on the lawn, build a den near the Walled Garden, and try a new sport! Surrounded by lush parkland and thick woodland, Florence Court, County Fermanagh, (Until Aug 31), is the perfect setting for the Summer of Play. Follow your free map and the bunting.