HUNDREDS of years ago East Riddlesden Hall was a family home.

This hidden gem was saved from demolition in 1934 by the Brigg brothers of Keighley. It now offers a friendly Yorkshire welcome to all who pass through its 400-year-old doors.

Whether you want to take a relaxing stroll through the gardens or discover new stories in the house, we can help you get the most out of your visit.

East Riddlesden Hall was once an agricultural estate, and this summer we’re celebrating its farming history by bringing to life some of the activities that would have been done by the workers here.

Have you ever churned butter by hand, made your own tasty bread dough or had a go at making traditional gingerbread?

Every Monday and Thursday at 11.30am and 2pm you can experience tastes and smells of the past at the gingerbread making sessions. Discover how 17th century gingerbread compares to today’s gingerbread. This hands-on activity costs £1 per person plus admission.

On Tuesdays August 13 and 27 at 1.30pm we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and following a traditional recipe to make tasty bread dough for you to take home and bake. You’ll also hear about the history of bread in these 60-minute sessions. Tickets cost £2 per person plus admission.

Would you like to try making butter the traditional way? On Sundays August 18 and September 1 at 2pm you can join the dairymaid in the Great Barn to learn more about butter making.

Hear about how butter was traditionally made by hand, and find out how difficult making and keeping butter before the days of electricity and gadgets really was.

After the activity, you’ll have a small jar of butter to take home with you to enjoy on hot toast. This hands-on activity can be enjoyed by the whole family and costs £2 per person plus admission.

This summer you can also enjoy the great British tradition of outdoor theatre at its very best. Join us on August 21 for an evening performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Performed by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the UK’s most popular outdoor touring Shakespeare company; this is a show is guaranteed to fill the air with magic, romance and laughter.

Picnics welcome from 6pm, show starts at 7pm. Tickets for this enchanting masterpiece are £16 for adults, £8 for under 18s and are available to book by calling 0344 249 1895 or by visiting nationaltrust.org.uk/riddlesdenhall/whats-on.

As well as these fun activities, East Riddlesden Hall is a great place for making your own family fun. You can cook up a treat in the mud pie kitchen, build a den, play traditional games on the lawn, follow a bee trail, and join in with our big bee count.

East Riddlesden Hall is open Saturdays to Thursdays, 10.30am-4.30pm, and admission is free for National Trust members and under-fives.

For up to date information about what’s on, please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/EastRiddlesdenHall or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall