Family-friendly things to do at Polesden Lacey

Planning your family visit

• Baby change facilities are available in the main toilet block, opposite the coffee shop.
• Accessible, buggy friendly pathways (you can find a map here), unfortunately buggies are not allowed in the house but hip carriers are available.
• Spend hours in Kestrel Corner Natural play area.
• Children under-five's scooters and bikes can be used in the pleasure grounds – just be careful on the sloped pathways and on busier days.
• Polesden Lacey has a cafe and coffee shop both with indoor and outdoor seating areas. During busier times we open an additional outlet serving snacks and drinks. There are also plenty of picnic benches around the grounds to sit down and enjoy your own picnics.

The Last Tree and The Art of Nature in collaboration with Luke Adam Hawker

Starting Saturday 27 April 2024 10am – 4pm

Join us for a special collaboration with best-selling author and renowned artist Luke Adam Hawker. Discover the beauty of nature through art as you view some of the most loved original illustrations and pages from his book ‘The Last Tree’. Inside the house, Hawker’s artwork will be exhibited alongside Mrs Greville’s Fabergé and art collection. Continue outside to find a new way to connect with nature as you observe and draw the trees at Polesden Lacey. Take the time to be curious, listen to the rustling leaves and feel in the moment with your surroundings.

This event is free but normal admission fees still apply, no need to book before arrival. Click here to find out more.

Family-friendly things to do in the gardens

The gardens are filled with perfect picnic locations, ball games are allowed in the pleasure grounds, so are the perfect spot for the whole family. Picnic benches are available in Crab Apple Orchard.

Small bikes and scooters are allowed in the pleasure grounds, as well as ball games and kite flying. Make sure you're mindful of other visitors whilst playing games.

Head over to Kestrel Corner play area, built using wood from the Polesden Lacey estate. Enjoy the swings, tunnels and giant nests as you embrace your inner animal and get closer to nature. Find out more here.

Visiting the house with Children

At the moment the house (ground floor only) is only open at the weekends, 11am - 3pm until 1 March 2024 (excluding February half-term, 19 - 23 February 2024). The house team are busy deep cleaning the house, why not pop in at the weekends to see some great conservation in action.

Unfortunately buggies are not allowed in the house, please park them outside while you visit. Hip carriers are available to borrow, if you ask a member of staff at the house doors they will be happy to help.

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ activities

No. 4 Build a den

There are lots of perfect den building spots to be discovered at Polesnden. What will your den be? A meeting place for spies, a fairy castle or perhaps a bear’s den?

No. 34 Discover wild animal clues

With badgers, squirrels, rabbits and more, there are lots of different things that you can search for when you're on the trail of an animal at Polesden. Look out for footprints, fur and poo, and you might find something sooner than you think.

No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure

Double your fun by sharing your next nature adventure with a friend. Explore your secret wildlife hideouts together and make the great outdoors your new playground.

No 33: Go cloud watching

Head to the sloping South Lawn, lie back and watch the clouds go by. With a little imagination you can create whole worlds and the tall tales that might take place there, from the shapes you see in the clouds.

Download all 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ here.