Spring is in the air at The Workhouse, Southwell, with lots to interest all the family this Easter holiday. From following Mary Mouse’s spring trail to finding out more about conservation work and pest management there is something for everyone to experience at the National Trust property.

During Easter week, from Friday 3 April to Friday 10 April (except Tues) 12noon-4pm, younger visitors can follow Mary Mouse’s spring trail as she tries to find new hiding places from her arch-enemy George the Master’s cat. The trail costs £1.50 and includes a special prize.

‘Pest week’, Wednesday 15 to Sunday 19 April, gives visitors the chance to find out more about conservation activities at The Workhouse through displays of pests, pest damage and treatment. Volunteers will be on hand to give advice and children can have a go at ‘pest pairs’ matching common pests like woodworm, carpet beetle and wood weevil with examples of the damage they cause.

The weekend of Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 12noon-4pm sees the return of the popular Pop-Up Paupers living history event, this time with a focus on the working lives of the paupers who would have entered The Workhouse as they fell upon hard times, and left again when employment opportunities arose. For able-bodied men this was usually agricultural work, while for women, domestic service was the most likely form of employment.

For more information about future events, opening times and prices go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/theworkhouse or call 01636 817260.

Pictured is Maddie Ball trying out The Workhouse spring trail.