A summer-long programme of free outdoor games and crafts with an American theme is set to bring families to Washington Old Hall throughout the school holidays. From 23 July to 31 August 2026, the National Trust property is hosting its Summer of Play event, running Thursday to Monday between 11:00 and 16:00 each day.
Visitors can try self-led classic lawn games including sack racing and skittles, which the Trust describes as the ancestor of bowling, alongside the American favourite cornhole. Den building is also on offer, while pop-up sessions on selected dates will add nature crafts, mini flag-making where children design a flag for their own imaginary country, and facilitated sports and active games. Admission is free, though normal entry charges to the hall and grounds apply, and no booking is needed. Organisers advise wearing clothes and shoes suited to changeable weather, with the ground possibly muddy after rain.
The programme carries extra significance this year by coinciding with two transatlantic milestones: the 250th anniversary of US Independence and the 20th anniversary of the friendship agreement between Sunderland and Washington DC. The hall’s deep American links stem from its history as the medieval home of George Washington’s direct ancestors, a connection that has long shaped events at the site. Since before the National Trust took ownership in 1957, annual Fourth of July celebrations have been held in the gardens, and an exchange programme with teenagers from Washington DC began in 2006 following the formal friendship pact.
Those ties make the Summer of Play a natural extension of the property’s heritage, blending the relaxed feel of a Tyne and Wear summer with a nod to its international story. Families can drop in on any operating day without pre-booking, making it a flexible option during the long break from school.
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