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National Trust Working Holidays 2010

 5th January, 2010

Get fit, have fun and help protect the nation’s heritage on a National Trust working holiday

The National Trust has launched it's 2010 working holidays where you can help to protect some of the country’s finest coastline, countryside, historic houses and gardens.

From weekend short breaks to two-week long holidays, and prices starting at just £50. The 2010 programme of holidays has plenty to tempt all age groups, from caring for wildlife in Somerset to welcoming visitors at Lindisfarne Castle, and from dry stone walling in Cumbria to hedge-laying in Cornwall.

Other fantastic holidays include making Christmas decorations for Killerton House in Devon, setting up for horse driving trials at Erddig in Wales, harvesting vegetables and bottling fruits at Attingham Park in Shropshire and running a stall at a West Exmoor fête.

Here is a taste of what’s new in 2010:

*Help with the running of Living History Events and Spring Food Fairs on the romantic Godolphin estate in Cornwall.

*Look after the historic knot garden at the medieval manor of Norbury in Derbyshire and help to clear the woodland walks and formal grounds.

*Construct and repair the network of pathways around the beautiful Bideford Bay in Devon.

*Clear the old Victorian carriageways in the plantation woods, or learn the secrets of lime-mortar stone walling, at Tyntesfield in Somerset.

*Fix the fells in Cumbria and learn traditional skills for restoring some of the area’s most popular footpaths.

*Spruce up the village of Cwmdu in Wales by creating a seating area for the village inn and lime washing the walls of the chapel hall.

*Join the gardeners in the stunning formal gardens of Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland as they restore beds and borders and clear the lake.

*Help to run a week of activities for children and their parents, from den-building to treasure hunts, at Gibside in Northumberland.

*Assist with the creation of butterfly glades and open spaces for wildflowers at Holywell Camel on the North Cornish coast.

This year sees the continuation of special interest themed holidays focusing on seasonal food and photography, there is the return of the ever-popular ‘Active’ holidays, with activities such as surfing, sailing and mountain biking, plus a choice of holidays for the whole family.

People from all walks of life have enjoyed working holidays, many make lasting friendships or have met their future partners, and some have been inspired to change careers as a result.

For more information on Working Holidays, call their booking office on 0844 800 3099 or log on to their website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteering