Pokémon Fans Have a New Reason to Visit Lanhydrock This Half Term

Searching for Mega Charizard in the Cornish countryside isn’t a sentence most parents expected to read, but here we are.

Lanhydrock, the National Trust estate near Bodmin, is hosting a Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail from Saturday 23rd May, giving families a fresh excuse to spend a half term day outdoors.

📷Credit: ©National Trust Images

What’s on the trail

The trail runs across ten points dotted around the estate, each one themed around a different Mega Evolution Pokémon. Children work through a mix of physical and creative challenges along the way, from courage and curiosity tasks inspired by the Darkness-type Mega Gengar ex, to more energetic activities tied to the Fire-type Mega Charizard Y ex.

Young trainers get a trail sheet to track their discoveries, and there’s a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail backdrop at the end for the obligatory photo.

The trail is exclusive to the National Trust and included with standard admission. It’s free for members.

📷Families playing tug of war during the Summer of Play event at Lanhydrock, Cornwall - Credit: ©National Trust Images

Making a day of it

The trail isn’t the only draw. Pokémon-themed crafts will be running in the Thatched Cottage, with traditional lawn games set up on the croquet lawn and the usual run of the gardens, parkland and woodland for anyone who just wants to let the kids loose.

Two cafés are open on site. The Park Café sits next to the play area, and the Stables Café is in the courtyard. Both have children’s options. The shop and plant centre stock gifts and children’s books, and Lanhydrock’s second-hand bookshop is open as always, with a pop-up bookshop by the Park Café on Bank Holiday Monday.

Under-5s get in free. The gardens have buggy-friendly routes, baby changing facilities and a play area, and the house itself has the Victorian nursery with board games, theatre props and Punch the rocking horse for younger visitors to play with.

📷Families exploring the gardens during the Summer of Play event at Lanhydrock, Cornwall - Credit: ©National Trust Images

Beyond the gardens

The wider estate is open too. Walking and cycling trails run through the parkland, there’s space for picnics and games, riverside walks to follow, and wildlife to spot around the Victorian swimming pool.

More details are at nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock.

📷Families exploring the gardens during the Summer of Play event at Lanhydrock, Cornwall - Credit: ©National Trust Images

📷Credit: ©National Trust Images

📷Credit: ©National Trust Images