Pirates, knights and children’s book characters will all come to life at Strawberry Hill House’s Festival of Fun, Fairytales and Fables on June 5.

The annual fun day from 11am to 4.30pm is stuffed with family activities including a pirate treasure hunt, knights jousting, the chance to meet a bird of prey or ride a mythical beast.

Visitors are encourages to dress as their favourite storybook character and will have the chance to make an edible book or a shield, crown or tiara.

London Scottish will bring their Rugby Cage while Twickenham Farmers’ Market will set up some stalls and little ones can hear magical stories in a mystical woodland.

The event is part of Strawberry Hill House’s Summer of Stories and sees the Twickenham attraction team with Richmond Library’s Summer Reading Challenge whereby little ones can sign up at the library and read six books of their choice, collecting stickers and other rewards. This year’s author of choice is Roald Dahl, who would have been 100 this year.

The Summer of Stories includes Saturday drop-in sessions for a variety of craft or garden activities at Strawberry Hill House, including bug hunts, teddy bear picnics and Roald Dahl-themed activities.

Every Wednesday in the school holidays workshops will focus on much-loved children’s books.

Strawberry Hill House’s property operations manager Laura Teale said: “We can’t wait for The Festival of Fun and Summer of Stories!

“Our carefully crafted family programme will spark children’s imaginations, develop and feed their appetite for stories and reading. Our ambition is to see the house and garden filled with families, princes, princesses, pirates and many more famous characters throughout the summer.”

Entry for the Festival of Fun, Fairytales and Fables is free. Go to strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

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