Saltram's Maritime Summer of Play

Saltram
Plympton
Plymouth
Devon
PL7 1UH

Tel: 01752333500

Add Saltram's Maritime Summer of Play to your Itinerary

A family of three plays ring toss on grass near a tent with colourful flags; the mother and father kneel while the daughter watches.

Opening Times

Season (18 July 2026 - 6 Sept 2026)

Prices

The event is free. Normal admission applies.

About us

Ahoy shipmates, are you ready for a fun filled summer of play adventure?!

Head to Saltram for a Summer packed with experiences and activities designed to spark imagination and inspire a maritime adventure.

Whether you’re navigating the treacherous seas, creating your very own flag or stepping into the spotlight for a playful moment of performance, there’s something for every kind of explorer.

They’ll be activities going on each day over the summer so keep an eye out for Saltram’s planner to fill your summer with play.

Admission and parking charges apply to the garden for Summer of Play. NT member free. 

Summer activity calendar

Stuck for something to do in the holidays? Pick up our activity calendar from the Welcome Centre to help play your Summer of fun. 

Maritime crafts - Every Monday and Tuesday throughout the holidays - Excluding Monday 31 August 2026.

All hands on deck for a summer full of crafty adventures! Drop anchor into Stable 6 and and make something inspired by the sea. From boats to creatures, theres a new creative voyage awaiting each week. No need to book and no sailors coins needed for these activities. Parking charges apply unless NT member and garden admission applies if you want to enter the Summer of play garden. 

Stiltskin Theatre: Wednesday 29 July, Wednesday 12 August, Wednesday 26 August 2026.

Hoist the sails and join us for a swashbuckling sea adventure with Stiltskin theatres for - 'All at Sea'. Set sail with salty sea dogs Barnabus B and Skipjack T, who will share their stories of fishy adventures with you - the Fishwives of Knorrel Knock, Davey Jones and more.

Showtimes at 11am & 1:30pm, meeting outside the Orangery in the garden. The session will be approximately 45 minutes duration and take a route around the garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Car parking charges. This is a free show, but garden admission prices apply, unless a National Trust member. No booking necessary. 

Family Games-days

On selected Thursdays and Fridays throughout the holidays. For full listing, please see the events page of the website. 

Join us for a fun-filled session of outdoor games and activities for the whole family. Have a go at tennis, enjoy colourful parachute games, and try a variety of exciting challenges.

Drop in, get active, and make some wonderful summer memories!

Pokémon Battles with Dark Star Gaming - Thursday 30 July, Thursday 6 August, Thursday 20 August, Thursday 3 September 2026. 

It's your chance to battle, trade and have fun with Pokémon this Summer.

Join us for exciting Pokemon battle tournaments hosted with Dark Star Gaming. Challenge fellow trainers, and battle for prizes, all in the unique setting of Saltram Orangery. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or battling for fun, or would like to learn to play or trade cards, everyone is welcome.

Battles will be running throughout the day between 11-3 for drop in sessions. Battles might be limited to 20 mins during peak times. Dark Star Gaming are official Pokémon suppliers and will be hosting these battles.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Car parking and garden admission charges apply unless an National Trust member. There are no charges to take part in the battle games.

Wild Wednesdays

Grab a net, discover fascinating pond creatures, and uncover the hidden world beneath the water. A fun, hands-on nature activity for children and their grown-ups.

Join us on selected Wednesdays throughout the Summer and splash into nature.

Booking is essential for these activities. Please click on the 'Check Availability' button to book your place.

Activities cost £2 per child. No booking required for accompanying adults.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Not suitable for under 5's.

Parking and garden admission charges apply, unless an NT member.

Book Wild Wednesdays 

Manga with Mia - Manga art workshops and create your own mini-comic workshop

Saturday 8th August and Sunday 23rd August 2026

Join artist Mia Pranauskas on a manga art journey this Summer.

Manag art workshops - This 1 hour workshop teaches you step by step how to draw and create a character/figure in the popular Japanese Manga style. By the end of the session, you will have your Manga character drawn in black and white, with the freedom to add colour when you get home. No previous drawing experience is required, this workshop is open to both children 8+ and adults. This session is aimed at those who would like to learn Manga art.

Create your own mini-comic - This workshop will focus on creating your own mini-manga comic. By the end of the hour, you will have created a zine-style mini booklet with step-by step guidance. You will then have the freedom to add to your comic or add more colours when you get home.

This workshop is designed for children 8+ and adults. And you do not need to have previous drawing experience. This workshop is catered to artistic abilities of all levels.

Book make your own comic workshop or Book Manga workshop

Naturemake - Thursday 13 August, Thursday 27 August

Join Naturemake this Summer and loose yourself in a world imagination and creativity. All workshops have items which are made from natural and foraged materials, allowing you to create miniature figures, woodland creatures, boats and much more.

Booking is essential for this activity. If space becomes available, Naturemake might be able to take walk-in visitors. Book today to avoid any disappointment.

Workshops suitable for children 4+. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the workshop.

Book Nature Make sessions here

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Map & Directions

Road Directions

3½ miles east of Plymouth city centre. Travelling south (from Exeter): exit from A38 is signed Plymouth City Centre/Plympton/Kingsbridge. At roundabout take third exit for Plympton and follow the brown signs for Saltram. Travelling north (from Liskeard): leave A38 at Plympton exit. From roundabout take first exit to Plympton and follow the brown signs for Saltram. What 3 words for Saltram's entrance: ///steep.runner.boring

Public Transport Directions

Hourly Plymouth City Bus Service from city centre will drop off at the bottom of Cott Hill, from here it is a half an hour walk to the Saltram estate.

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