WE’RE part way through our half term activities and are looking forward to welcoming more families to East Riddlesden Hall this coming weekend.

The gardens are slowly starting to wake up, and the best spot at this time of year is in the Wild Garden. In March, this garden is awash with pale yellows and whites.

Visitors to the garden will see primroses, snowdrops, wood tulips, cowslips, and spring snowflake amongst others.

From mid-March, there’ll be narcissi in their masses and bright yellow dog tooth violets standing proud.

There’s been lots of things keeping little ones busy this week, including using hide and seek skills to find a secret garden.

In this garden children have been testing their balance, getting messy making mud pies and working together to build the best den ever.

Families have also been getting crafty making willow bird feeders and willow nests. These activities will also be available on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

An art exhibition has been on display inside the Airedale Barn. The exhibition is inspired by the history and fragments of objects found during the renovation of a local 17th-century farmhouse.

Our artist in residence, Barbara Greene, has made connections between the objects and lives of people who’ve lived and worked in the Aire Valley over the centuries. Items on display include printed artist books, boxes, screen and laser prints, printed textiles and small sculptures - all inspired by objects found during the renovation.

The exhibition is open every weekend until March 10, 11am-3pm, and is free to visit.

Later in March we’ll be holding two special events in the barn and everyone is welcome to come along and join in with the fun.

On Friday March 15 we’re excited to bring the unique experience of a silent disco to East Riddlesden Hall. Partygoers will have their own set of light-up wireless headphones and a choice of three different music channels to choose from: 80s, 90s and 00s.

Channels can be switched over anytime at the push of a button, and the evening promises to be a night of non-stop party classics. T

he bar will be open selling a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, and bar snacks. Tickets cost £10 per person.

On Friday March 29 the 400-year-old barn will open its doors for a ceilidh. The event will be led by the Great Northern Ceilidh Band - a team of experienced, traditional musicians.

Guests can expect a fun evening of lively, energetic, music guaranteed to have them on the dance-floor.

There’ll be a variety of traditional English, Scottish, Irish and American music, and the bar will be open selling a range of alcoholic and soft drinks.

Tickets cost £15 each and will include a light supper.

Booking is essential for both events, and tickets can be bought either online or by calling 0344 249 1895 or visiting nationaltrust.org.uk/riddlesdenhall.

East Riddlesden Hall’s shop and tea-room is now open every Saturday and Sunday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. General admission prices apply for non-National Trust members.