Families visiting Speke Hall this summer will be able to take part in a new Pokémon-themed adventure as the National Trust’s popular Summer of Play programme returns.

The annual event will run at 142 National Trust locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, encouraging children and families to enjoy outdoor activities, explore nature and spend time playing together.

This year’s programme is being supported by Pokémon, with Speke Hall among 15 National Trust properties hosting a Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail.

The trail will feature activities and challenges inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon, giving visitors the chance to explore the historic Liverpool attraction while completing tasks along the way.

Families visiting Summer of Play locations will also be able to pick up a special Pokémon and National Trust sticker book, collecting new stickers during multiple visits throughout the summer.

Other activities taking place across National Trust sites include bug hunting, den building, imaginative woodland play, team games, races and football challenges.

Pokémon GO players will also be able to discover new PokéStops and Gyms at selected National Trust locations, alongside official routes and themed in-game events.

A number of sites across the country will feature dedicated Pokémon play zones, while special Pikachu appearances will also be available to book at four locations.

The National Trust said Summer of Play is designed to help families connect with nature and the outdoors through shared experiences in some of its most inspiring locations.

Here’s how Pokémon will be supporting Summer of Play this year:

·          27 National Trust places, including Dunham Massey, in Altrincham, and Lyme, in Stockport, with dedicated Pokémon play zones, where families can tackle challenges inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon from the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) [1]. 

1.       15 National Trust places, including Quarry Bank, in Wilmslow, Speke Hall, in Liverpool, and Sizergh, near the Lake District, with Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails with activities inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon [2].

2.       At all 142 Summer of Play locations families can pick up a Pokémon x National Trust sticker book, collecting stickers across multiple visits.

3.       At selected locations, families will also be able to book special Pikachu appearances at four locations[3].

4.       Pokémon GO fans can enjoy even more with new National Trust Pokéstops and Gyms, Official Routes and themed in-game events.

To find your nearest Summer of Play experience, visit the website.  

What’s on for families across Cheshire, Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire

In Greater Manchester at Dunham Massey, this grand Georgian estate and deer park has supersized play with giant deckchairs and tiny tipis, alongside traditional lawn games, circus skills and dance workshops. Here, the Pokémon play zone takes its cue from Mega Evolution Pokémon, including encouraging children to strike their best Pokémon pose and twists on family favourites like ‘the floor is lava’ and hide and seek. 

You’ll find a full day out at Lyme on the edge of the Peak District. On top of an already jam-packed Summer of Play with three play hubs across the gardens, you can discover an all-new Pokémon zone. There will also be a special opportunity to meet Pikachu in August (more information will be available soon at nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme).

At Quarry Bank, in Wilmslow, Speke Hall, in Liverpool and Sizergh, near Kendal, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail invites families to build confidence outdoors, enjoy fresh air and create shared family memories while searching for ten Mega Evolution Pokémon across ten trail points. Each trail point features a simple physical or creative challenge inspired by different Mega Evolution Pokémon. 

There will also be Summer of Play activities taking place at other National Trust places in Cheshire and Lancashire, including Tudor games at Little Moreton Hall, near Congleton, the Water Wonders self-led trail at Hare Hill, near Macclesfield and sports activities and garden games at Rufford Old Hall, near Ormskirk.

Most offers begin on Saturday 18 July and will run throughout the summer holidays. Normal admission charges apply, and free entry to National Trust members.

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