MAKE THE most of the last week of the Easter holiday and come along for an Anglo-Saxon experience this weekend at East Riddlesden Hall.

On Sunday, April 8 we’ll be joined by the English Companions between 11am and 4.30pm, and when you join us for this special event you can step back in time to the fifth century to learn what life was like for the Anglo-Saxons who once walked the grounds here.

This family-friendly day will include a shield wall demonstration, costumes to try on, shields and bracelet making, writing runes, story-telling and lots more.

There’ll be artifacts on display as well as the chance to ask questions and learn about how the Anglo-Saxons have influenced our lives today.

During the week we’ll be continuing with Easter family-fun and getting closer to nature in the Wild Play Garden. You can balance on a fallen tree, create mud pies and hunt for bugs.

As well as enjoying the great outdoors, we’ll be making nature crowns and decorating the apple trees with messages of luck to encourage a good harvest. There’ll be nature-inspired arts and crafts too.

Inside the house we’ll experience smells and tastes of the past when we make gingerbread the traditional way every Tuesday at 11.30am.

If you’re thinking of adding splashes of colour to your garden then there’s a wide selection of outdoor plants to choose from in the shop, including a new range from The Hairy Pot Plant Company. These come with biodegradable pots made from the fibres of coconut husk, a by-product of the large Sri Lankan coconut industry.

As a conservation charity we’re keen to do as much as possible to help reduce waste. These pots will biodegrade naturally in the soil or on the compost heap and all plants are grown in environmentally friendly, peat-free compost.

The tea-room is launching a new weekly Knit and Knatter group this April, and from April 18 will be opening its doors every Wednesday morning at the earlier time of 9.30am to welcome anyone with an interest in knitting or crocheting.

This year we’ve introduced a new junior membership to inspire the next generation of nature and heritage lovers. Under-18s are now able to explore unforgettable places and get closer to wildlife, history and culture for just £10 a year.

This flexible membership is ideal if you’re a grandparent or relative who regularly assists with childcare and the junior membership provides the opportunity for endless adventures. Please speak to a member of the shop team or see online for more information.

East Riddlesden Hall is now open six days a week from Saturday to Thursday, 10.30am to 4.30pm. General admission prices apply, entry is free for National Trust members and under 5s.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall or call 01535 607075 for further information.