Children’s Theatre & Magical Kingdom Easter Trail

Newby Hall near Ripon reopened for the new season on Saturday 29 March and April sees the return of live theatre performances for children, as well as the opening of Newby’s Easter attraction for children – the Magical Kingdom trail.On Saturday 12 and again on Sunday 27 April, the Story Craft Theatre company will guide children through a host of favourite fairytales, meeting some familiar faces along the way from Little Red Riding Hood and the Gingerbread Man to some very hungry Bears.Aimed at 2-8 year olds, the performances run throughout the day from 12 noon until 3pm on Newby’s restaurant lawn.Newby’s new Easter attraction the Magical Kingdom trail opens over Easter weekend from 18 April to 21 April from 11.30am, with last entry at 2.30pm.The Magical Kingdom is an exciting woodland journey into the world of the King and Queen of the Fairies. Guided by the Rusticus players, children will meet the Rusticus Trees and embark on a quest to help the King and Queen to care for the natural world.Entry to both events is included in a gardens admission ticket or with a season ticket.One of Britain’s finest Adam Houses, Newby Hall was built in the 1690s by Sir Christopher Wren and later enlarged and adapted by John Carr and subsequently Robert Adam. It is internationally celebrated as one of the largest and most complete surviving Chippendale interiors. Visitors to the gardens can enjoy its magnificent double herbaceous borders and the National Collection of Cornus,A packed programme of events this season ranges from historic and sports car shows, outdoor theatre and fireworks and apple day championship, to the Aldborough and Boroughbridge Show in July and Newby’s biggest event, Tractor Fest in June.Other attractions include a children’s adventure playground, miniature railway rides and the Brandreth Bears and Our Dollshouses collections.