Kids go free at The Vyne - plus lots of other amazing August activities too! (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Kids go free at The Vyne - plus lots of other amazing August activities too!

2:46pm Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Leisure

NATIONAL Trust properties, including The Vyne in Sherborne St John, are offering free entry to children this summer.

This is a great incentive for families to get outdoors and enjoy glorious countryside locations, as well as hundreds of fantastic events and activities.
Kids can also use the downloadable Kids go Free voucher to try out some of the Trust’s 50 Things to do Before You’re 11¾ challenges, such as bug hunting, tree climbing, snail racing and kite flying. Visit the 50 Things interactive website for a full checklist, games, rewards and top tips on subjects such as building a den and animal tracking.

The 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11¾ campaign has been launched by the National Trust in response to research that fewer than one in ten children regularly play in wild places compared to half a generation ago, a third have never climbed a tree, and one in ten can’t ride a bike. 
 

There are many other activities planned, for which costs apply. The Great Tree Climb: the Great Big Tree Climb comes to The Vyne on August 4, 5 and 25. Learn how to climb one of the estate’s larger trees using ropes, knots and clips. Try the fast route back down on a zip wire, or swing through the trees on the Leap of Faith pulley system.
 

Join the Bat Walk on August 10. As dusk descends, join the Warden on a delve into the night time world of these mysterious creatures, with the aid of some rather unusual equipment. Then return for a warming cup of soup.
 

Minibeast activity day takes place on August 15. Explore the wonderful world of mini beasts with this introduction to some of the exotic hidden wildlife on The Vyne’s estate, from millipedes to death watch beetles!
 

And get in some archery practice on August 19. Fancy yourself as a modern day Robin Hood, Katniss, Legolas or William Tell? Take aim, and fire on the lawns of this former Tudor palace.
 

Additional activities include Moths by Moonlight on August 24 and the exciting launch of The Vyne's first geocaching course on August 26.
The concept, which takes its cue from pirates and their habit of hiding treasure, aims to seek out hidden ‘treasure’ (known as caches) using modern technology in the form of GSP devices. Set out on an adventure through the grounds using your GPS map and clues to find the caches.
This family activity day includes goodie bags and giveaways from geocaching specialists, Garmin.
 

Booking is essential for many of the activities, and costs apply. To find out more, call 01256 883858 or log on to nationaltrust.org.uk.