Rocket Licensing has revealed a new Horrible Histories experiential partnership with the UK’s National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity.
West London’s Osterley Park and House – a popular National Trust-owned family venue and Georgian estate – is putting on Horrible Histories-inspired activities for families in an event that will continue for just over six months.
Based on the bestselling book Gorgeous Georgians by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown, the Gorgeous Georgians interactive family-friendly trail starts at half term on 17 February 2025 and continues until 31 August around Osterley’s house, garden and parkland, giving fans the opportunity to uncover the quirks and scandals of Georgian history while exploring a real Georgian manor house.
The trail is specially designed to entertain children of all ages with a combination of games, activities and historical information, including 10 interactive stations where visitors can find out more about child rat catchers and chimney sweeps, pirates and highwaymen, not to mention some of the lesser-known facts about the era’s foul foods and sometimes startling toileting habits.
Visitors will also be able to purchase Horrible Histories merchandise in the shop throughout the event.
The Osterley Park trail extends the success of the Horrible Histories brand in the family activity area. Popular offerings include a Roman-themed family trail at The British Museum, a Horrible Histories Maze at Warwick Castle, Horrible Histories Pirates at The National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool and Horrible Histories escape rooms in Liverpool and Coventry.
In addition, the Horrible Science spin-off has also inspired two trails in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in the heart of Sussex.
“We’re thrilled to see Terry and Martin’s world’s bestselling children’s history-book series bring its unique take on some of the Gorgeous Georgian era’s most fascinating and foul events on a real Georgian estate,” commented Elizabeth Scoggins, non-fiction, brands and licensing publisher at Scholastic UK. “Young and old will love the activities, the stories and, of course, the venue. Our thanks to the National Trust and, of course, to the many Gorgeous Georgians this interactive family-friendly trail celebrates.”
Melissa Satterly, brand manager at Rocket Licensing, continued: “A wonderful building steeped in history with massive family appeal is the perfect venue for a family event that delves into the highs and lows of a truly fascinating era. Horrible Histories and Osterley Park and House are a perfect match for an engaging experiential activation for families.”
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