National Trust announces May half term events across Cornwall

School’s out from this weekend, and if you’re already wondering how to fill the week without hearing “I’m bored” by Tuesday lunchtime, the National Trust has packed its Cornish properties with everything from Mega Evolution Pokémon to medieval seal matrices.

Here’s what’s on across the Duchy from 23rd May.

Pokémon hunt at Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock is hosting a Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail from 23rd to 31st May, 10.30am to 5pm. Families team up to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers and complete challenges along the way. It’s free with normal admission and no booking is needed.

Inside the house, The Libraries of Lanhydrock runs from May through November, 11am to 5pm. The trail takes in the library of the Agar-Robartes family, John Robartes’ role as resident physician, and the 17th century medical texts he used to treat his household. A garden walk reveals the plants behind those remedies.

Tudor week at Trerice

Trerice is going full Tudor from 24th to 31st May, 11am to 3pm. There’s archery on the parade ground all week, plus themed days: Tudor fashion and dress-up on Monday 25th, Tudor crafts and dancing on Wednesday 27th, and replica armour and weaponry on Thursday 28th. Free with normal admission.

Falconry at Trelissick

From 27th to 31st May, 10am to 4.30pm, Raphael Historic Falconry is at Trelissick with flying demonstrations on the revival of hawking, why hawks and falcons featured at grand country estates, and old tales of avian folklore.

There’s also a new West Library exhibition, Building Trelissick: from farmhouse to riverside estate, running May to October. From 23rd to 31st May a free children’s trail through the garden brings the story to life for families.

📷Summer of Play at Lanhydrock 2024

Antony, Cotehele and the rest

Antony has summer games, a tree trail and a family-friendly house trail from 24th to 28th and on 31st May, 12noon to 5pm. On 25th May, the Family Archaeology Sessions look at Medieval Seal Matrices and how people authenticated documents before ID cards and facial recognition existed. That one costs £3 per person, 11am to 2pm.

Cotehele runs a Cornish Heritage and Language trail from 23rd May to 7th June, 10am to 4pm. Expect Cornwall-hole (cornhole), Cornish Quoits and slates dotted around the house and garden with Cornish words and phrases to try pronouncing.

Glendurgan Garden has an activity booklet and pencil scheme from 23rd to 31st May, 10.30am to 5pm, with colour hunts, texture-spotting, storytelling and wild walks.

Godolphin is focusing on the hidden natural world from 23rd to 31st May, 10am to 5pm, looking at the creatures and critters around us and how to help nature thrive.

Trengwainton has willow bird sculpture decorating with fallen flowers and leaves, a flower trail through the woodland walk, origami leaves and nature-themed games. Open 24th to 28th and 31st May, 10am to 5pm.

Penrose has the Soil Circus, a textile art exhibition by Maya Ronchetti at The Stables Gallery, running May to September, 10am to 4pm. The work is inspired by natural dyes from the Lizard Peninsula.

Over the Tamar

For anyone willing to cross the border, Buckland Abbey has a Historic Food Trail from 23rd May to 7th June, with lawn games including bowling, croquet and cornhole. Historic Cooking living history displays run on 28th and 30th May, 11am to 1.30pm, with recipe cards to take home. A costume exhibition, It’s All About Status, runs May to June.

Saltram has its own Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail running from 23rd May right through to September. Manga with Mia workshops run 25th to 27th May, with a beginner and an intermediate option, both £8 per person for under 18s and booking required.

Unless stated otherwise, all events are free with normal admission and no booking is required. Opening days and times vary by property, so check each website before setting off.