Family visits to Rainham Hall this Summer

Summer activities in Rainham Hall & Community Gardens

Events as part of Essex Book Festival for Families on Sat 22 and Sun 23 June, various times

Lots of events for families, some require booking, some are free and drop in. See Upcoming Events to book.

Day of Discovery as part of the Festival of Archeology on Sat 27 July 11-4pm, free, just drop in, no need to book

Have a go at making your own clay pot, see our old objects, dig for fossils or see if you can release our ice age animals who have been frozen in time.

At 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.45pm we welcome a posse of Palaeolithic cavemen who cause mischief with their pet Woolly Wonder.

Summer Games as part of Summer of Play during the school holidays, free, just drop in, no need to book.

Loads of games to try scattered around the community gardens. Why not bring a picnic or pop into the cafe for some snacks, drinks or ice creams whilst you are here.

Summer Family Visits to Rainham Hall
Families can also visit the Hall (on Thurs- Sat) with our interactive displays in the exhibitions, the Rainham Tag Trail Challenge and secrets of the Hall to hear about (ticketed).

Nature and Heritage Explorers, free, just drop in

Plenty bug hotels for nature detectives to explore and free Rainham Hall Nature Exploer kits or Hritage Explorer Quiz to try out.

The Stables Cafe will be open 11-4pm

50 things to do before you're 11¾, free just drop in

From Wednesdays - Sundays 11-4.30 pm you can roam around the gardens discovering nature or just having a run round on the lawns. In the garden you can discover nature by checking out the bees in Honey Bee Hall, trying out '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities at the Mud Kitchen or creating Wild Art in the outdoor classroom. Try making a home for wildlife, rolling down the big hill, or create and wear a wild crown.

Planning your family visit

There is no parking on site at Rainham Hall but transport links are very close by, see visiting for details or links or nearby parking options.

Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times when visiting Rainham Hall or participating in our activities.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

Be with the bees

Honey Bee Hall is buzzing with bee pals in their with brand-new hives. Find out all about a day in the life of a hive in the new display and explore a demonstration hive then go and spot bees or listen to them at Honey Bee Hall.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

If you're into discovering nature then '50 things to do before you're 11¾' is for you.

At Rainham you can tick off:

• No. 1 Get to know a tree
• No. 2 Roll down a really big hill
• No.12 Have fun with sticks
• No. 13 Make a mud creation in our mud kitchen
• No. 16 Wear a wild crown
• No. 18 Create some wild art
• No.30 Make friends with a bug
• No. 36 Make a home for wildlife
• No. 41 Find animal clues
• No.50 Take a friend on a nature adventure

You can also try out our Minibeast Hunts with a trail to follow and spot as many garden beasties as you can.

Family-friendly things to do in the hall

Families can also visit the exhibitions in the Hall to try out the Rainham Tag Trail Challenge. With lots of interactive displays including a wind up record player to try, 1950's toys to play with, grind your own coffee, meet the blue felt cat, try out a tricorn hat, a telescope or compass. On the top floor try on an old fashioned nappy and get your adult to try one too then have a lie down on our tiny day beds!

Hall entry prices for adults and children apply if visiting the exhibition and Hall.