Families get ready to explore outdoors at Coggeshall visitor attraction this May half term.

Family visitors to Markshall Estate will get the chance to become nature explorers as they discover interesting facts about the natural world in the 200-acre Arboretum.

The Nature Explorer Family Trail runs from Saturday 29th May – Sunday 6th June, and for the first time the team have created two specific sets of questions for younger and older aged children.

Once all the quiz questions have been answered children will be rewarded with their very own sunflower planting kit to take home, with green-fingered youngsters encouraged to share their growing progress with the team across Markshall Estate social media channels over the next few weeks.

Families can also let their imaginations run wild in the hands-on play area, The Wild Wood. Made from natural materials sourced directly from the 2,350-acre Estate, The Wild Wood is a space for families of all ages to discover, explore and play in, from building dens with foraged sticks, skipping over pine stepping ‘stones’, and see-sawing on an oak.

The popular Spring Photography Workshop is also back, taking place on Sunday 30th May. These small group sessions, suitable for all abilities and led by professional photographer Bryan Shaw, will guide attendees through the key principles of photography, followed by the chance to put everything into practice out in the Arboretum.

Markshall Estate Executive Director, Kath Cockshaw, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors this May half term. With so much to do here, from exploring a whole world of trees to feeding the fish in our giant lakes, Markshall Estate is the perfect place for families to let off some steam and discover trees and wildlife up close. We’re now open for longer too, six days a week, year-round!”

Later in the year the charity will be celebrating its 50th birthday with a series of special events and programming starting in November.