AS many of East Hampshire’s schoolchildren break up for half-term, which runs from February 13-21, the National Trust is opening its gates to offer a host of activities designed to get children outdoors and having fun.

If you’ve been stuck indoors this winter, then February half-term is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to enjoy some time together exploring some of the Trust’s most beautiful landscapes as they gradually reveal signs of spring colour and wildlife after the colder winter months.

Take a walk on the wild side, enjoy fun craft sessions, or try exciting challenges and quiz-packed trails indoors and out. Along the way you’ll be able to tick off a few of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenges, from mud pie-making and kite flying to den-building and tree climbing.

What’s on:

Hinton Ampner, Bramdean, near Alresford

Spring is in the air at Hinton Ampner this half term, and with it comes an opportunity to try some new free trails. Follow the trail around the garden and solve the clues.

For more details on opening times, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner or call 01962 771305.

Mottisfont Abbey, near Romsey

Mottisfont takes on a real Thelwellian feel this half term with a colourful exhibition of hilarious Norman Thelwell illustrations in the gallery, together with a Giddy Gallops indoor activity trail, featuring, among others, the be-jodhpured Penelope and her mischievous, rotund pony Kipper, who mowed a path of destruction through pony club shows and country fairs.

For more details on opening times, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont or call 01794 340757.

The Vyne at Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke

Half-term offers spring-themed trails to follow, crafts to get stuck into, and loads of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to tick off in a great outdoor adventure.

To celebrate the return of The Vyne’s famous Tudor stained-glass chapel windows, younger visitors can seek out the dragons, winged goats and other mythical animals that appear in the glass, on an I-spy spotter trail.

For more details on opening times, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/vyne or call 01256 883858.

Winchester City Mill

The mill is well known for its fun baking demonstration days, and in February National Trust baking volunteers are hosting special themed events for both Valentine’s Day and February half-term.

These are great opportunities to find out how to make a variety of seasonal sweet and savoury treats. Take home recipe cards (small donation) and try some baking at home, using the mill’s very own flour from the shop.

Winchester City Mill is a rare example of a working water mill and one of the most visited mills in Britain. At weekends you can watch the millers grind corn into wholemeal flour and view the fast-flowing River Itchen as it roars beneath the mill, powering the huge water wheel – an experience known as ‘the thrill of the mill’.

There are all sorts of hands-on activities for younger visitors, including audio-visual displays and a chance to watch the latest CCTV footage of the mill’s resident otters.

For more details on opening times, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/winchester-city-mill or call 01962 870057.