FAMILIES can try their hand at 3D printing, yoga and animated films.

The activities are among a dozen on offer at the National Trust’s Rodbourne HQ for a special arts and sciences day next month.

The charity is one of hundreds of organisations taking part in Fun Palaces, a nationwide scheme aimed at getting people trying something new. It is the first time the project has come to Swindon.

Staff at the National Trust have brought together 14 individuals and groups for the day, including the Women’s Institute, Swindon Makerspace and yoga teachers.

Mark Crosby, head of participation at the National Trust, said that the emphasis of the free event was on getting people to try new things – like stop animation or designing a henna tattoo.

“Fun Palaces is about connecting people with arts and science in a way that’s really relevant to local communities,” he said. “This is not a fete.”

He said he was looking forward to “seeing people being enthused by stuff and saying, ‘that’s been done by someone like me’”.

The event is one of two in Swindon that are taking place as part of the Fun Palaces scheme.

Town centre oasis Queen’s Park will host an apple day on Saturday, October 7. Volunteers will be on hand to press apples and pears into juice that visitors can taste there and then.

The Swindon Fun Palace will be at the National Trust’s Heelis office, near the Retail Outlet Village, on Saturday, October 7, 10.30am – 4.30pm.