Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
'Tis the season at Beningbrough!
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| Decorating the tree! |
Everyone’s been really busy over the last couple
of weeks here at Beningbrough, getting ready for Christmas! We’ve been putting
up the decorations, planning the events, and making sure we’re ready for a
visit from a special guest…
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| A lovely selection of baubles |
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| The trees are getting there... |
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| Little Robin on the tree |
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| This tree is woodland themed! |
Storytime with Father Christmas
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| Father Christmas reading a story to an elf |
Father Christmas is having a holiday at
Beningbrough before his big day! Join him in the historic library at weekends
in December for a story and an early gift, if you’ve been
good this year… Booking is essential, so call his elves on 01904 472014 to secure your place.
Unfortunately Storytime with Father Christmas is now sold out, but keep reading to see other festive activities to get involved with!
Festive Artrageous
Artrageous will be getting a Christmas makeover during the first 3 weekends in December! Drop in between 1 and 3pm to decorate a bauble for your tree,
make a stocking to hang at the end of your bed, or create a reindeer sock
puppet. Each weekend will be a different theme, so you could try them all!
Ozzy the Owl needs your help!
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| Ozzy the Owl at the start of his trail |
Ozzy is really worried about Spike the hedgehog,
who is missing! Follow the trail inside and out to help the Beningbrough Buddies
see what has happened to Spike…
Christmas Shopping
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| Christmas cards for sale in the shop |
If you’re in the city centre during the week, pop into the York National Trust shop on Goodramgate (just behind the Minster) for more gift inspiration! The money you spend helps us to look after the special places you enjoy visiting.
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Come down to Beningbrough this half term for Hallowe’en-themed activities… If you dare!
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| (C) National trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel |
Hallowe’en
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| Join the costume parade! |
On the 31st, meet professional
storyteller Eden, from Stories Alive, and listen to him relay some ghostly
tales about the hall and its residents. The sessions are free; just drop in from 12.30 – 4pm. Eden will also be leading
the costume parade, so come dressed up and show off your scariest outfit! The
parade will begin at 3pm in front of the house, so make sure you don’t
miss it.
Half term week
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| Boris the Bat needs your help... |
For the rest of half term, you can join Boris
the Bat and the rest of the Beningbrough Buddies, and help them by solving the
clues on the Trick or Treat Mystery. Find out who has been tricking
them and who has left an eerie invitation! Leave your entries once you've completed the trail for a chance to win one of the special prizes.
Guess the weight of the giant pumpkin on display in the Stable Courtyard in order to win it in time for carving for your trick or treating. Entry slips are in the Bothy, and there will be a box ready for you to pop your entries in. If the weather isn't the best you can make your way through the house, seeing if you can find the creepy creatures in the rooms…
Guess the weight of the giant pumpkin on display in the Stable Courtyard in order to win it in time for carving for your trick or treating. Entry slips are in the Bothy, and there will be a box ready for you to pop your entries in. If the weather isn't the best you can make your way through the house, seeing if you can find the creepy creatures in the rooms…
Hallowe’en Artrageous
Drop in to Artrageous in the Garden Room for some
special Hallowe’en-themed decorating. Design your own glass jar lantern,
complete with a candle, to light your way in the dark! It's also perfect for a party. Come down between 1 and
3pm from Thursday to Saturday to get creative. (There’s a small charge to cover the cost of the
materials).
Beningbrough Bat Walk!
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| (C) National Trust Images / Hugh Clark |
On Friday and Saturday, trek round the gardens after
dark with our resident wildlife expert, to search for these nocturnal creatures
and their hideouts. We’ll be using a sonar, to see if we can locate
them flying. Wrap up warm and bring a torch, because it gets very cold after
dark here at Beningbrough! The walk costs £4pp (plus normal admission if you
enter the property before 5pm), and booking is essential. There aren’t many
places left, so call 01904 472014 to secure your spot.
Spooky storytelling
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| (C) Lucy Wilson |
Last week, a few students from York St John University came to Beningbrough to help out with the
Hallowe’en preparations. One of the things they created was a self-led story box, based around a new
character: Beatrice the Beningbrough witch. There are feely boxes which contain
different ingredients for her potion, so you can place your hands in and guess
which gruesome item you are touching! Then try creating your own potion, decide what it will do and get creating your own stories. We just want to say thank you to the students for all your hard work.
So get ready for mysterious trails, spooky tales and
much more at Beningbrough this half term! Open everyday except Monday.
Visit http://bit.ly/beningbroughevents
for more information, or to see a larger version of the half term planner.
Click here to join the event on Facebook, or
tweet us @NTBeningbrough.
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Apple Week 2015: celebrating all things apple!
Tomorrow, the 4th October, marks the start of Apple
Week here at Beningbrough! Apples are in season, and we grow exactly 48 varieties
of apple, with 38 of them growing in the Walled Garden, and 10 in the Orchard.
We also have a special collection of young Yorkshire apples growing in the
Walled Garden, including varieties like the Cox’s Orange Pippin, the Ribston
Pippin and the Acklam Russet. Come down to Beningbrough between the 4th–11th October (we’re closed Mondays) to join in with activities such as apple
pressing, apple short talks, and sampling the special apple–themed
menu in the restaurant.
Apple pressing
Apple pressing demonstrations will be taking place
on Sunday the 4th and 11th October, at 1pm and 3pm. You can see how the press is used, which varieties work best, and then try the freshest juice in Beningbrough!
Apple walks, talks and facts
Aside from apple pressing, there are many other
activities happening every day throughout Apple Week. Specialist short talks
accompanied by a short apple walk (each day at 1pm and 2.30pm) not only give you
an insight into the varieties of apples grown at Beningbrough, but also some tips on how to grow them in your own garden. You can also
walk around the Walled Garden and see if you stumble across some apple-related
facts…
Apple displays, and apple and cider tastings
There will be a display of some of the varieties
of apple grown at Beningbrough in the Garden Room, where you can compare and
contrast the different types, and their uses. You might be
surprised at how different some of the apples appear! There’ll also be apple
tasting (the times may vary), and the opportunity to try some of our locally
sourced cider, which you can buy in the shop.
Appley delights!
After you’ve sampled all the apple activities,
head across to the restaurant to indulge in a variety of apple dishes. From strudels
to crumbles, and pork belly and apple casserole to roast pork in apple sauce,
there’s something from the apple season for everyone!
So come down to Beningbrough between the 4th and the 11th October (remember that we’re closed Mondays) to join in
with some activities to celebrate the British favourite, the apple!
See above for a detailed programme of what’s happening
everyday (or you can find a larger version here)
Click here to go to the garden page, where you can download a fruit tree plan!
Like us on Facebook, or follow @NTBeningbrough on Twitter.
Friday, 14 August 2015
Summer school holiday activities!
Look no further for family friendly activities
these Summer holidays, come rain or shine…
50 things Fridays
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| (C) National Trust Images / John Millar |
Every Friday this August, Beningbrough Hall will be holding a different staff led activity. This
gives all children, big and small, the opportunity to tick some more activities
off the National Trust’s ’50 Things to do before you’re 11¾' list, especially
those trickier ones which you might not be able to complete yourself. On the 14th,
it’s your chance to discover what lives in a pond, at 12pm or 2pm. On the 21st,
you can go on a bug hunt, explore inside a tree, and you might even get to hold
a scary beast! Again, this will take place at 12pm and 2pm.
On other days you can tick off around 35 of the list at Beningbrough so grab your free scrap book from the bothy, pick up a spotter sheet and decide where to start - build a den, climb a tree, roll down a hill and undoubtedly run around in the rain!
On other days you can tick off around 35 of the list at Beningbrough so grab your free scrap book from the bothy, pick up a spotter sheet and decide where to start - build a den, climb a tree, roll down a hill and undoubtedly run around in the rain!
Explorer backpacks
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| (C) National Trust Images / John Millar |
The learning team here at Beningbrough have put
together some special backpacks full of gadgets to turn you into an explorer
for the day. The pack includes bird fact sheets complete with pictures and
binoculars, so that you can go bird watching and identify the different types
of birds that you find. There is also a bug magnifier box, so you can take a
closer look at the various creepy crawlies. The map and compass points allow
you to go on an adventure, and explore different parts of the grounds and
parklands here at Beningbrough.
The explorer packs can be borrowed from the shop, they're free with a £5 returnable deposit.
(c) National Trust Images / Sue Jordan
The explorer packs can be borrowed from the shop, they're free with a £5 returnable deposit.
Summer fun even when it’s raining!
Artrageous
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| (c) National Trust Images / Cathy Thornton |
The popular craft workshop Artrageous
is running over the school holidays, with a different royal themed
activity each week to celebrate the final 2 years of the Royals: then and now display. This week (beginning the 10th),
you can create your very own royal costume. Next week will be making your own
stained glass palace, and the third week we’ll be designing our own coat of
arms. Artrageous happens every Sunday and Wednesday from 1pm- 3pm.
Find us set up in the Hayloft above the stable shop (accessible by stairs only).
Find us set up in the Hayloft above the stable shop (accessible by stairs only).
The great hall
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| (C) National Trust Images / Chris Lacey |
In the house itself, there are a wide variety of
activities to keep you entertained, even if the weather is wet. The Clarence
the Corgi trail takes you round the royal themed portraits inside, and gives
you quirky facts and things to do along the way.
On the second floor of the house, look for the interactive computer, where you
can create your own virtual family portrait! Other activities include sculpting
a nose especially for a sculpture that is missing one, dressing up with gowns and masks, and a pre-school play area filled with toys
and games.
More fun in the Sun
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| (C) National Trust Images / Megan Taylor |
Last but not least, there are some things that
we have to play with all year round, but are particularly fun in Summer. The
bikes and trikes, that you can find around the gardens are perfect for whizzing
around in, and discovering hidden nooks and crannies. We also have our
wilderness play area, complete with swings, climbing frame and den zone.
So there are plenty of reasons to have a family
day out at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens these Summer holidays!
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Shop to support the National Trust in York
Inside most of the
National Trust properties, gift shops of all sizes can be found selling items
from gardening tools to children’s books. However, there are also a handful of unique
National Trust shops on the high street across the country, and York is lucky enough to have one
of them.
These shops are
great for tourists and locals alike, because they have some great gift inspiration, and they contain many
exclusive items and National Trust labels. Just like visiting our properties,
visiting our shops helps support the Trust in looking after the UK’s special
places.
If you enjoy
sampling wine, then make a note of the 9th July, and keep
scrolling to find out more…
Home
One of the
highlights of the York shop is the range of items that are exclusive to the
National Trust, and can only be found in our shops.
New ranges have recently
been created by designers in the head office, and have been inspired by our
properties. These ranges include items such as scarves, cushions and throws.
At the moment, the York
shop has a beautiful blue display that has been designed to celebrate 50 years
of the Neptune Coastline Campaign. This campaign started right back in 1965
with the aim of protecting special areas of coastline under the threat of
development, and to create more opportunities for people to enjoy the coast.
The blue scarves are
an example of just some of the items in a new range inspired by the coast campaign.
Exclusive National
Trust throws, woven in Britain.
More homeware is also available in our shops.
Food and drink
The National Trust
even has its own food and drink brands, and we sell products like preserves,
biscuits and various teas. So if you enjoy eating in our cafes, you can take
home some of our food to enjoy in your own kitchen.
Yorkshire Country Wines’ tasting and special evening opening
On the 9th July, there will be a special evening opening, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, so we can host a wine tasting session with Sarah Ironside from Yorkshire Country Wines. This local business is unique in that all their wines are handmade in small batches using traditional methods. Instead of using grapes however, they use damsons, cherries, plums and many more fruits not normally associated with wine making. There will also be an exclusive discount: get 20% off if you spend more than £20 during the evening.
Outdoor and garden
The outdoor and
gardening ranges are popular across the shops, you can use our York properties to inspire
you in your own garden.
Gift Cards
Using the shop to
buy your gift cards all year round is a great way to make a contribution to the
National Trust.
And for anyone who's feeling really organised this year, we have our own range of Christmas cards in already!
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| (C) National Trust Images / Nick Meers |
While you’re in the
centre, take the opportunity to visit Treasurer’s House,
just next to the Minster.
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| (C) National Trust Images / John Millar |
The
address for the York shop is 32 Goodramgate, York, North
Yorkshire YO1 7LG.
Tweet us @ntshopyork
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Jam or cream first?
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| (C) National Trust Images / Arnhel de Serra |
This Friday, the 26th
June, is the first National Cream Tea Day! This event is all about celebrating the
nation’s love of (and maybe sometimes even obsession with) cream teas, with the
help from ambassador Frances Quinn, winner of The Great British Bake off. The
National Trust properties in York are the perfect places to treat yourself to a
proper cream tea this summer, but first, ahead of the occasion, I’m going to
share some scone-related facts…
Generally, a cream
tea is eaten between 4pm and 6pm, and is a combination of scones, clotted
cream, and jam, served with a pot of tea. Traditionally associated with Devon
and Cornwall, the idea of the cream tea quickly spread across the whole of
Britain and the Commonwealth in the mid-19th century, and is still
available today in tea rooms across the country. There is also an ongoing
debate in cream tea etiquette that asks whether you should spread the jam on
the scone first or the cream.
Here are some ideas
of how to celebrate with a cream tea at Treasurer’s House, Goddards and Beningbrough Hall.
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| (C) National Trust Images / Chris Lacey |
The catering team
at Goddards have put on a full spread especially for this celebration. ‘Mrs
Terry’s Treats’ comes complete with two finger sandwiches, a scone, jam, cream
and a pot of tea for one. Like Treasurer’s, Goddards also
has seasonal scones on selected days, which have included a chocolate orange scone,
celebrating the chocolate-making Terry family. (Think Terry’s Chocolate Orange.)
You can sit in the dining room or the drawing room, and feel at home in his
house, or make the most of the summer sun and eat on the lavender terrace. If you take afternoon tea in the drawing room between 2 and 3pm as part of your visit to the house, it will be prepared as you explore and you'll be called when it’s ready - with the sound of a gong!
For a traditional
cream tea (or for gluten free)
Beningbrough Hall’s
simple yet timeless cream tea consists of two homemade scones, strawberry or
raspberry jam, some clotted cream and a pot of Yorkshire tea for one. People following a gluten-free diet do not
have to miss out on National Cream Tea Day here - Beningbrough also offers a gluten-free
scone.
For a different cream tea
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| (C) National Trust Images / Arnhel de Serra |
In the Below the Stairs Café at Treasurer’s House, the flavour of the scones changes depending on what’s in season. Some of the variations so far have been: cheddar, ginger and honey, cherry and vanilla, and even lavender. So, Treasurers is the place to go if you want to be surprised, and try a cream tea with a difference. (Please note that these scones are only sold separately- a full cream tea with a plain scone is also available). Treasurer's House is closed on Friday 26 but open Saturday - Thursday.
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| (C) National Trust Images / Chris Lacey |
We’d love to hear about your cream tea experiences at Treasurer’s, Goddards or Beningbrough, so tweet any feedback or pictures to us using #bestcreamtea, and the Cream Tea Society might put us on their ‘must visit’ list!
Visit the website to find out more information about cream teas on offer round Yorkshire with the National Trust.
All that remains is to decide - jam or cream first?
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