Wrexham National Trust events for the school holidays

From craft activities and natural play areas to fun family trails and winter wildlife spotting, there are a whole host of adventures to be had.

See how many things you can tick off your winter spotter sheet at Bodnant Garden, gather your courage and venture down into the two-level dungeons at Chirk Castle, run wild in the natural play areas at Erddig and Penrhyn Castle, or join in the scavenger hunt at Plas Newydd.

For more information, or to plan your visit, head to: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/family-friendly

• Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham

Visitors inside the Tower at Chirk Castle, Wrexham. Photo: National Trust Images-Annapurna Mellor

Grab a free bug spotting sheet from the ticket office and embrace the world of creepy crawlies at Chirk Castle this February half term. From bugs with wings, spots, and long antennas, how many will you spot hidden around the garden and estate? Will you be able to hop high like a grasshopper or fly like a ladybird too?

Afterwards, head to the medieval Adam Tower, where signs of the castle's historic past can be still seen. Have fun dressing up in armour, go on the hunt for medieval murderholes or garderobes (or toilets), and venture down into the two-level dungeons... if you're brave enough!

Children running past snowdrops at Chirk Castle, Wrexham. Photo: National Trust Images-Paul Harris

Don't miss the chance to run wild in the outdoor play area at Home Farm too. Conveniently located next to the kiosk which serves hot and cold drinks and snacks and has ample outdoor seating, it's a great place to stop to run off some energy or rest before continuing your winter wander.

From February 1: garden, Adam Tower, shop and café open daily 10am-4pm. Kiosk times vary - please check on arrival. The castle is open daily from March 4, noon-4pm. Normal admission prices apply.

Find out more: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/chirk-castle

• Erddig, Wrexham

Staff and visitors toasting marshmallows on the fire at Erddig, Wrexham. Photo: National Trust Images-Paul Harris

Food cooked over an open fire always seems to taste better, especially when it's a marshmallow, so head to Erddig's Timber Yard to warm your hands and enjoy this delicious pick-me-up on February 16 and 23, from 11am-2pm.

On February 14 and 21, drop into the Education Room and craft your very own garden creature to take home. Using natural materials, what will you make? A frog, a bird, a snail, or something else?

Exploring the Wolf's Den natural play area at Erddig, Wrexham. Photo: National Trust Images-Trevor Ray Hart

Don't forget to visit Wolf's Den, the natural playground, which will be reopening just in time for half term. Here, you'll let off plenty of steam as you fly on the rope swing, climb over obstacles, balance across beams, and enjoy hours of family fun.

Open daily: house 11.30am-3pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing) and garden, Hayloft Restaurant and shop 10am-4pm. Wolf's Den open daily from February 10, 10am-4pm. Normal admission prices apply, plus £2 per marshmallow kit.

Find out more: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig

• Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor

Penrhyn Castle. Photo: National Trust Images-Paul Harris

Set high on the hill with views out to Eryri (Snowdonia), the estate surrounding Penrhyn Castle is the perfect place to let loose this February half term.

Pull on your wellies or walking boots and set off on an adventure as you follow the Woodland Trail and discover more about the myths and legends surrounding Welsh trees. With the snowdrops appearing left right and centre, there's no better time to slow down and immerse yourself in nature.

As you explore, be sure to seek out the two different play areas. The first, a natural woodland play area complete with balance beams can be found through a secret archway in the car park by the Cwt Ogwen bird hide, while the Adventure Playground with climbing ropes can be found nestled in Rook Wood near the Walled Garden.

Visitors exploring the Bog Garden from the thatched hut at Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Gwynedd. Photo: National Trust Images-Paul Harris

Open daily from February 10: garden, shop and Victorian Kitchens 10am-4pm, café 10.30am-3.30pm. Normal admission prices apply.

Find out more: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/penrhyn-castle-and-garden

• Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

A family on the Easter trail at Plas Newydd, Anglesey. Photo: National Trust Images-Annapurna Mellor

The Grade I listed landscape at Plas Newydd is made up of 40 acres of garden and 129 acres of woodland and parkland, and with amazing views across the Menai Strait and onto the peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) it's the ideal place to spot some winter wildlife this February half term.

Wrap up warm, gather your family and friends, and pick up a scavenger hunt sheet from Visitor Reception. It'll take you on an adventure around the parkland and as you watch birds preparing their nests for spring you'll gather some inspiration for building your own.

As you explore see if you can catch sight of a red squirrel in Church Bank Wood or visit one of the two hides along the paths by the Menai Strait, where you can watch the huge variety of birdlife both in the woodland behind and along the shoreline.

From February 10: house open at weekends 11am-3pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing), garden and shop open daily 10.30am-5pm and Old Dairy Café open daily 10am-4.30pm. From the February 26 onwards house is open daily, 11am-3.30pm. Normal admission prices apply.

Find out more: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden

• Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Visitors exploring Bodnant Garden. Photo: National Trust Images-Paul Harris

With more than eight miles of paths to discover, there are acres of space to explore at the world-renowned Bodnant Garden, so wrap up warm and burn off some excess energy as you set off on a family winter adventure. Remember to pick up a Winter Spotter Sheet from Visitor Reception when you arrive - from bright red dogwoods to robins and woolly hats, see how many things you can tick off as you go.

Visitors in the Winter Garden at Bodnant Garden. Photo: National Trust Images-Paul Harris

Don't miss the beautiful displays of snowdrops, or 'Lili Wen Fach' in Welsh, as you explore. They're a real seasonal highlight and can be found in dramatic swathes of white spilling from the Old Park Meadow and through the Yew Dell, right down to the Far End and the Willow Worm maze and picnic area.

Garden and café open daily 10am-4pm. Last entry to the garden 3.30pm. Normal admission prices apply.

Find out more: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/bodnant-garden