NATIONAL Trust properties in Hampshire are opening their doors and gates this summer to a host of activities for families, with all sorts of exciting experiences indoors and outdoors.

Children can meet the world’s friendliest tiger at Mottisfont’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition and outdoor trail, or turn detective at Hinton Ampner, with an opportunity to solve the ‘Hound of Hinton’ case.

There are new summer trails and activities at The Vyne in Basingstoke, Uppark near Petersfield and Winchester City Mill too, plus camp building and mud pie-making fun at our New Forest base camp.

All the Trust’s Hampshire sites offer loads of opportunities to tick off more ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenges, from bug hunting to wild art.

In addition, this summer the curtain lifts on a magnificent season of outdoor theatre, set in some of the county’s most beautiful locations.

Most of the shows are suitable for children as well as adults, so there’s plenty of choice, from Shakespeare’s The Tempest at The Vyne to children’s classic Peter Pan at Mottisfont. Plus there’s free summer jazz at Hinton Ampner and Uppark, so bring a picnic and enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars.

A National Trust spokesman said: “Every summer adventure you have with us helps us to care for these beautiful places, for years to come.”

Hampshire highlights:

Mottisfont Abbey (near Romsey)

Judith Kerr: The Tiger Who Came for Tea 50th anniversary exhibition and trail. To September 2, free after property admission

Mottisfont celebrates the 50th anniversary of Judith Kerr’s much-loved children’s classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea, with lots of wonderful illustrations. There’s original artwork from other famous Judith Kerr books too, including the Mog stories. Children can have tea with a big, cuddly tiger in the colourful pop-up kitchen. There’s dressing-up costumes and, outside, a fantastic themed activity trail.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont or call 01794 340757.

Hinton Ampner (Bramdean, near Alresford)

The Hound of Hinton summer trail mystery

To September 2, 10am–4pm, suggested donation £1 per trail.

Famous detective Sherlock Holmes needs help solving his latest case. Tackle word scrambles, puzzles and lots of other fun activities on Hinton’s exciting summer trail, to unlock the mystery of…the Hound of Hinton. This activity is suitable for all the family - smaller children can have fun spotting hidden magnifying glasses, while older children can help solve the clues.

Harry Strutters Jazz Band: Sunday, August 12, noon-3pm on the lawn. Tea rooms open or bring a picnic.

Dr Doolittle: Saturday, August 18, 6pm-8pm in the gardens.

The Hound of the Baskervilles: Saturday, September 1, 7pm-9pm in the gardens.

Call 01962 793515 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner.

Uppark House and Garden (South Harting, near Petersfield)

In Her Shoes summer trail - to September 2, 10am-4pm, suggested donation £1 per trail.

Inspired by the centenary of votes for women, we’re inviting families to walk in the footsteps of intriguing women from Uppark’s past. From exotic foreign travel to butter churning, Uppark’simaginative summer trail takes kids on a journey into all levels of society, whether dairy maids or aristocrats.

The FB Pocket Orchestra, brings hot vintage jazz, blues and ragtime: Sunday, August 19, noon-3pm on the lawn. Tea rooms open or bring a picnic.

Call 01730 825415 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark.

The Vyne (near Basingstoke)

Lost tapestries trail, scavenger hunt and bark rubbing.

Daily activities, 10am–5pm, suggested donation £1 for some activities.

There’s so much to get stuck into at The Vyne this summer. Jigsaw pieces hidden around the grounds will help kids create an oriental tapestry on the Lost Tapestries trail. Find out what falls from trees on the scavenger hunt, or head out into Morgaston Woods on a geocaching treasure hunt. Want to know what tree ‘skin’ looks like? Pick up The Vyne’s bark-rubbing kit to find out.

The Tempest: Saturday, August 11, 7pm-10pm. (Suitable for age 5+).

Call 01256 883858 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne.

Winchester City Mill

Summer duck-themed trail, design-a-duck competition, and Grand Duck Race.

Duck trail runs throughout summer holidays, 11am–4pm, normal admission only. Grand Duck Race August 25, 11am–4pm, free entry.

This summer highlight will see 2,000 bathtub ducks race down the River Itchen which roars beneath the Mill. There’s a summer competition too – simply complete the ‘Design-A-Duck’ sponsorship certificate and submit your design by August 25.

Duck sponsorship from £2 per duck.

Call 01962 870057 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/winchester-city-mill.

Foxbury, New Forest

Wild Play & Forest School sessions

Wild Play sessions, August 2 and August 16, 10.30am-12.30pm. Forest School session, September 6, 10am–noon, for ages nought to five.

The New Forest commons are exciting places for summer adventures. Pick up den building top tips, create mud pies, and tuck into marshmallows around the fire at Foxbury’s Wild Play days. Forest School activity sessions introduce little ones to the natural world around them with gentle activities like wild art and green woodwork, all from the safety of Foxbury’s base camp.

Located at the Half Moon car park, Foxbury Common, New Forest, off Blackhill Road, East Wellow SO51 6AQ.

For more details call 01794 340757 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk.foxbury.