When it comes to garden parties, the Edwardians certainly knew how to put on a good show – which is precisely what will be happening at Dunham Massey this weekend.

Sarah Talbot, Dunham’s visitor experience manager, has been busy making last minute preparations..

“Our Edwardian garden party is one of the main events in Dunham’s calendar’ says Sarah. ‘It’s extremely popular, with all the entertainment in keeping with what you would have found at a garden party a century ago.

"We’ve got Punch & Judy of course, a brass band, circus workshops where you can learn juggling, plate spinning, stilt walking or ‘Diabalo’, and croquet in the garden. All our tours inside the house over the weekend will have an Edwardian theme – and as picnicking was very popular with our Edwardian ancestors, why not bring yours along and enjoy it in the garden”.

As summer is well and truly here, look out for lots of other fantastic summer events at Dunham.

Meet Mrs Collins, Dunham’s formidable Edwardian housekeeper, who’ll put you through your paces as an Edwardian servant (9 Aug); have a poke about in our Bugs and Beasties’ hunts (2, 3 and 10 August), when you can find out what lurks beneath the dead wood in Dunham’s parkland; get close up to Archaeology (8, 30 Aug) and take a look under the microscope at the finds made from Dunham’s 2010 archaeology dig; or get crafty with ‘Art in the Park’ week (15 – 19 Aug) when you can make a pendant from fallen wood in the park, and try your hand at stencilling.

For details of all events at Dunham Massey this summer go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events Dunham Massey House is open Sat – Weds, 11am – 5pm (access 11am – 12 noon by guided tour only). The garden and park, restaurant and shop are open daily. Go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/placestovisit or call 0161 941 1025 for information.