Family-friendly things to do at Melford Hall

Children in the garden and bags containing picnic blankets available for visitors to borrow at Melford Hall, Suffolk — Children in the garden at Melford Hall | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Melford Hall is full of adventures waiting to happen. Whether you're ticking off '50 things' activities in the garden, spotting the cows and sheep on the Park walk or going in search of Beatrix Potter stories in the house, there's so much to discover.

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Melford Hall:

Baby-changing facilities are available in the house
The hall is not accessible to pushchairs, but carriers are welcome
Space to play on the lawns surrounding the hall
We often have a seasonal trails or events planned you can find details of those here

Family friendly events

Archery & Axe Throwing

6 - 7 July

Discover the thrill of archery and axe throwing amidst the picturesque backdrop of Melford Hall's historic parkland. Interact with knowledgeable experts, dressed in authentic medieval attire, as they unveil the fascinating history behind these ancient practices. Delve into the past with the display of arrows spanning the ages, then take aim and try your hand at these time-honored skills yourself, for an unforgettable experience steeped in tradition and heritage.

Find out more

Family friendly things to do in the garden

Explore the garden

The garden at Melford Hall is compact, safe, and perfect for little explorers. Lord Somerset’s Residence is a shady woodland corner, perfect for bug hunting and tree spotting, and you can often see newts in the mirror pond. When you're finished, make sure to head to our tea-room for a well deserved treat.

Park walk

If you’re looking to explore further, why not try the Park walk? At one mile long it’s perfect for little legs. Spot the sheep and cows that call Melford Hall home along the way and look out for the gnarled, ancient trees that surround the path.

Two children sit on a red sofa in a wood-panelled room, filling out an activity trail — Following an activity trail in Melford's Great Hall | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Family-friendly things to do in the house

A visit to Melford Hall offers the chance to uncover the inspiration behind some of the Beatrix Potter stories. The West Bedroom was used by Beatrix Potter on her many visits to stay with her cousin, often bringing a menagerie of small animals which she kept in the turret room.

Here you can see the original Jemima Puddle-duck, which she used to illustrate The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck, before giving it to the Hyde Parker children. Many of her drawings were inspired by Melford Hall and can be found throughout the house.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lots of '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities to tick off during your visit. Here are a few recommendations:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: The gardens and Park walk at Melford are home to many fascinating trees – big, small, old and new. Can you identify the tree? Depending on the time of year, look at the blossom, leaves, or "fruit". In winter, the bark is a good guide. Look out for holes where mini beasts can be found.
No. 33 Go cloud watching: Roll out a rug on the lawn and lie back to watch the clouds. Can you make a story from the cloud shapes?
No. 35 Discover what’s in a pond: Spot newts, water boatmen and other pond creatures in the mirror pond.