A NEW woodland play area and two family trails have opened at Kingston Lacy.

The woodland play area has been designed to encourage children to connect with nature through natural play, and includes stepping logs, a rope walk and monkey bars.

There is also a special area for toddlers, with a slide and ladder to boost their confidence.

It is the first of two new play areas with a second currently being installed in the Kitchen Garden. Inspired by the location, this will provide thatched platforms, a ‘glasshouse’ with wooden vegetables to ‘plant’ and wooden cows to climb. It will be sited next to new seating by the café trailer and is due to open in a few weeks' time.

Bournemouth Echo: New Woodland Play Area at Kingston Lacy near Wimborne. Picture: National Trust/Clare GascoigneNew Woodland Play Area at Kingston Lacy near Wimborne. Picture: National Trust/Clare Gascoigne

There are also two free family trails running throughout the summer: Discover Egypt and Discover Nature. Discover Egypt helps children aged 7-12 become archaeologists for the day and explore the wealth of Egyptian objects at Kingston Lacy – which holds the UK’s largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts.

The second trail, aimed at younger children, focuses on how nature comes to life at Kingston Lacy, exploring the wildlife in meadows, woodland and garden. Twice a week (Wed and Sat, 11am-2pm) volunteers will be on hand to help children catch and learn about insects.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy for more information.