HERE's how to keep the kids busy in the garden at East Riddlesden Hall this February half-term.

After a winter of deep cleaning and essential repairs, the dust sheets will be folded away, clocks reset, and the 400 year old doors to East Riddlesden Hall will re-open on February 18.

The new year at East Riddlesden Hall starts with February half-term, and this year there’s a great opportunity for families to join the National Trust team, helping to plant willow shoots.

Families can come and roll up their sleeves and join in at one of the drop in planting sessions which will take place on the lower field on Monday and Tuesday, February 20 and 21 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

Later in the year the planted willow will be weaved to create a tunnel.

Jill Saunders, head gardener at East Riddlesden Hall said: “The new willow tunnel will be a great addition to East Riddlesden Hall; it will provide a perfect leafy den and shady play area for children to enjoy, and make a great place for a family picnic.”

As well as willow planting, there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied around the rest of the house and gardens.

A new property trail will have families searching high and low, finding facts, and discovering new things whilst craft lovers can join in with seasonal arts and crafts in the Discovery Room.

East Riddlesden Hall is a former agricultural estate with layer upon layer of history. The wonderful jigsaw puzzle of a house is brought to life by room guide volunteers, and the intimate, yet magical, gardens explode with colour in every season.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy at East Riddlesden Hall, which is run by the National Trust.

The charity looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 775 miles of coastline, and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

When people visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, their support helps us to look after special places like East Riddlesden Hall for ever, for everyone.

In Yorkshire, our properties also include Beningbrough Hall, where glorious gardens surround a baroque mansion with National Portrait Gallery paintings.

There is Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon, with its Cistercian abbey, elegant Georgian water garden and medieval deer park.

Nostell Priory, near Wakefield, is an 18th-century architectural masterpiece with landscape park and gardens.

Nunnington Hall, near York, is a picturesque Yorkshire manor house with organic garden and exciting exhibitions.

Goddards, in York, the latest Yorkshire property to join the National Trust stable, is an intimate Arts and Crafts style family home with complementary gardens.

Hardcastle Crags, in Hebden Bridge, is a beautiful wooded valley with 19th-century Gibson Mill at its heart.

The National Trust also looks after many acres of publicly-accessible land in the Yorkshire Dales and on the North York Moors.

• East Riddlesden Hall will be open Saturdays to Wednesdays for half-term from February 18 to 26. Normal admission charges will apply. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall or call 01535 607075 for further information. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk for ideas for family days out.