Skip to content

Places for kids to dress up

Children dressing up in period costume at Sutton House, London
Children dressing up in period costume at Sutton House | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

Enjoy a family day out and step into the shoes (and clothes) of an Anglo-Saxon warrior, the lady of the manor or a Victorian scullery maid, with our pick of the top places for dressing up.

Castle Ward, County Down
At Castle Ward, children have a choice of costumes. Will they become a Victorian boy or girl and play games from that time? Or will they transform into farm animals in the barn?Be a Victorian for a day
Killerton, Devon
Visit Killerton and you’ll walk through a secret wardrobe into a world of costumes. Don't forget to finish it off with a hat or stylish scarf. Which era will you choose?See the secret wardrobe
Visitors dressing up in period costume at Lyme Park, House and Garden, Cheshire
Visitors dressing up in period costume at Lyme Park, House and Garden | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Take the kids back to Edwardian times at Lyme Park, where they can dress up in brilliant costumes, and play with toys in the Edwardian nursery.Get into costume
Petworth House, Sussex
Our first mission for children entering Petworth House is to find the wardrobe that says ‘Open me’. Inside you'll find costumes linked to paintings in the house.Find a costume in a painting
Snowshill Manor, Gloucestershire
At Snowshill Manor, you can choose from a variety of handmade costumes to dress up in. Charles Wade, who was an avid collector, started a costume collection at Snowshill at the age of 14. Try on costumes in the new Turquoise Cellar dressing room, which has a long mirror and photo frames to help capture the moment.Dress up at Snowshill
Getting into character at Tyntesfield, Somerset
Children getting into character at Tyntesfield, Somerset | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Children can transform themselves into Anglo-Saxons for the day at Sutton Hoo, complete with helmets and swords. They can also try their hand at archaeology and build their very own Anglo-Saxon house or den.Become an Anglo-Saxon
Tredegar House, Newport
The dressing up box at Tredegar House holds a great range of Restoration, Victorian, 1920s and 1930s costumes. Which era will your youngsters choose?Reinvent yourself at Tredegar
A family with two young children walk up a grassy slope covered with daffodils in the garden at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Enjoy some family fun

Looking for places the whole family will enjoy? Discover family-friendly cycling trails, places to get closer to nature and historic buildings where you can learn about the past.

You might also be interested in

A view of the Rotunda with newly restored roof, Ickworth, Suffolk
Article
Article

Top 10 unique houses 

Learn about some of the most unusual houses we look after and find out what makes them so special, from a tiny woodland cottage to a romantic country retreat.

A child in a red coat, with their back to the camera, throws a sponge at their dad and sibling who are sat with their feet in medieval-style stocks at Chirk Castle.
Article
Article

Family-friendly castles to visit 

Looking for enchanting family days out? Look no further than these fairy-tale castles, perfect for days out with little knights and dragon-slayers.

A family walking in the gardens in spring at Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Article
Article

Family-friendly gardens 

Planning a day out that the whole family will enjoy? Let imaginations run free as you explore the gardens and parks in our care. Get closer to nature with buggy-friendly paths and find natural play areas near you.

A family with two young children walk up a grassy slope covered with daffodils in the garden at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Family-friendly places to visit 

There are lots of things to do when you visit one of our family-friendly places. Find inspiration for days out and discover a range of activities for everyone.

Two girls exploring the woodland trails at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ 

Fancy running free in the fresh air, learning new skills and trying new things? Grab your gear and start your adventure.