With spring flowers in full bloom, warmer weather on the way, Bank Holiday weekends and half-term school holidays to look forward to, May is the ideal time to explore the outdoors and try new things.

This May there is a raft of activities for all the family with the National Trust. Join a peasant’s revolt at Bodiam Castle, or make a kite at Smallhythe Place. Angelina Ballerina and her cousin Henry invite you to join their trail at Ightham Mote, and there’s den building at Scotney Castle.

credit: National Trust/John Millar

Spend the long Bank Holiday weekends and half-term with us exploring some unforgettable places. What’s more, every single visit helps the National Trust to look after special places for ever, for everyone.

Some of our favourite May activities in Kent and East Sussex are:

Early May Bank Holiday weekend

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex – Bringing in the May

Sat 29 April to Mon 1 May 2017, 11am to 4pm

Join us as we celebrate the land that sustains us and the return of spring. Explore our medieval herb beds to learn how useful plants were in medieval times and still are today. To ward off evil spirits you can make a smudge stick. We’ll also have our medieval costumes out to try on and act out the part of May King or Queen.

Free event, normal admission charges apply

Ightham Mote, Kent – spring activity pack

Daily from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May, 10am to 4pm

Explore the wider Ightham Mote estate and complete some of your 50 things challenges as you go. Pick up an activity pack from visitor reception and run off steam in the natural play area

Normal admission charges apply, 50p per spring activity pack

credit: National Trust/Megan Taylor

May Half term and second Bank Holiday weekend

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex – rebels training camp

Daily Tuesday 30 May to Friday 2 June, 11am, 12am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm

Calling all young rebels! Six hundred years after the peasants revolted on 30 May 1381, it’s time to rise up in your very own peasant’s revolt of the twenty-first century. Learn how to live outside the harsh medieval justice system and rely on the land for survival, from tracking wild animals to exploring inside a tree.

Price £6.50 per child, pre-booking required

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex – Sir Edward’s fair

Monday 29 May, 11am to 4pm

Come along to our annual fair in Sir Edward’s honour, with more stalls and games to enjoy. New this year, medieval minstrels Portcullis will provide a backdrop of musical merriment.

Free event, normal admission charges apply

Smallhythe Place, Kent – half-term crafts

Daily from Saturday 27 May to Sunday 4 June (except Tuesday), 11am to 1pm

Sit out in the garden and join in arts and crafts. Decorate a special memory with a handmade photo frame or fashion a kite to have fun with in the spring breeze.

Price £2 per child, normal admission charges apply

credit: National Trust/Paul Harris

Knole, Kent – Tudor costume demonstrations

Throughout the day on Monday 29 May

Join us in Stone Court to see how a Tudor lady dressed in many layers of costume for a visit to court, including replica handling items used by wealthy people in the sixteenth century.

Free event, donations welcome

Chartwell, Kent – May half-term family trail

Saturday 27 May to Sunday 4 June, 10am to 4pm

Explore the garden and woodland to find out how the Churchill children played outdoors. A chance to start ticking off some of your 50 things activities.

£1 per trail, normal admission charges apply

Ightham Mote, Kent – half-term family fun

Daily from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May, 10am to 4pm

Follow marvellous mice cousins Angelina and Henry on their camping trip in our garden trail. Join the children’s literature favourite and tick off #45 of your 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4 with the chance to use a compass. What adventures will they get up to?

Normal admission charges apply, 50p per trail

credit: National Trust/Oskar Proctor

Emmetts Garden, Kent – 50 things family trail

Saturday 27 May to Sunday 4 June, 10am to 4pm

Explore the garden and find the best spots to tick off some of the 50 things activities.

£1 per trail, normal admission charges apply