HEREFORDSHIRE'S National Trust properties have pulled out all the stops to offer loads for families to enjoy over the spring bank holiday at the end of the month.

In Herefordshire, the county's four NT properties will all be running trails throughout half-term, from Saturday, May 27 to Sunday, June 4. At Berrington Hall, little ones can be encouraged to discover their green thumbs with a Budding Botanists trail featuring puzzles and games for the whole family and a prize to be collected at the end.

Half-term week is also the last chance to see the temporary installation in the curved walled garden, created by students from Herefordshire College of Arts.

The trail on offer at Brockhampton is entitled Butterflies and Bees, an opportunity to learn how orchards and pollinators look after one another, with fun games, activities and a prize at the end. Little ones can also have a go at playing games and dressing up in the medieval manor house, running wild along the natural play trail and climbing aboard the Trow boat in one of the orchard rooms.

A view of Croft Castle, Herefordshire. The Church of St Michael, built in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries of rough local stone, to the left, with the east front of Croft Castle to the right..

A view of Croft Castle, Herefordshire. The Church of St Michael, built in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries of rough local stone, to the left, with the east front of Croft Castle to the right..

At Croft Castle and Parkland, little explorers can take part in the ‘Life of an Apple’ trail, where they’ll follow the journey of an apple from seed to fruit, completing the fun games and challenges to win themselves a prize. For more apple-themed fun, head into the walled garden and discover the first stage of Croft’s new exhibition, ‘An Apple Gathering’, with an outdoor gallery featuring paintings, poetry, and 'The Orchard Year' soundscape.

The Weir Garden 3.

The Weir Garden 3.

There's also lots for children to see and do at the Weir Garden this May half-term, with the Weir’s “Get to know the garden” trail, following the paths through the gardens and using their senses to complete the activities and win a prize. All trails cost £3 per child.

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Across the border in Worcestershire, Hanbury Hall and Gardens will be running a Birds, Bees and Butterflies trail, with nature-inspired activities in the gardens. On Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, there's a chance to catch a woodturning demonstration in the grounds or join a garden tour led by a knowledgeable guide on Wednesday and Saturday as they examine the medicinal properties of plants.

The Temple Greenhouse at Croome, Worcestershire.

The Temple Greenhouse at Croome, Worcestershire.

Children are encouraged to look closely at nature at Croome, where an activity book (small fee applies) will set them off on an adventure to explore the parkland and house looking for details they might not otherwise notice.

At The Firs, Elgar’s birthplace cottage, visitors will discover an idyllic childhood cottage garden which Elgar remembered for the rest of his life. There’s a small woodland area with log seating and opportunities to look for bugs and plant life. The kids might discover their musical talents and create their own composition using the variety of large musical instruments in the Sound Garden. There’s also a great selfie opportunity to capture a photograph sitting next to a life size statue of the man himself relaxing on a garden bench and gazing towards the Malvern Hills. The Firs is open Friday, Saturday Sunday and Monday 11am until 5pm.