Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh

A family walks through a garden of ferns towards the camera in autumn clothes — Visitors explore the rock garden at Sizergh, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/John Millar

There's plenty for families to do at Sizergh. Let little legs run wild and play on an outdoor trail, take a buggy-friendly stroll through a peaceful garden, or discover a house filled with treasures. Find out what's on and plan your visit.

Planning your family visit

We want everyone to feel informed and at ease once they arrive here, so we have a set of videos to help you orientate yourself before you get here. The access page has more detailed information about accessibility, and is also home to virtual arrival tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled videos about this.

To learn what to expect when you visit the garden, watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled versions.

If you're planning to take a walk on the estate, you can watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled versions.

For the house, watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled and audio described versions.
The café is open every day, offering a range of tasty kids’ lunchboxes containing sandwiches, fruit, a treat and juice or water. Hot lunches are also available and tray bakes, cakes and scones are baked fresh each day. Lunch is served until 2:30pm, with cakes, drinks and ice cream served until close. Prices can be found in the table below.

The Kiosk on the veranda serves drinks, light bites and ice cream.

There is space on the grass outside the Visitor Centre, with benches, if you'd like to bring your own lunch or a picnic. There's a bench halfway round the wooded knoll and on the grass as you leave the knoll.

Tea From £2.80

Coffee
From £3.45
Cold drinks From £2.10
Cakes and bakes From £2.60
Sandwiches From £6.75
Hot food From £9.95
Hot snacks From £2.65

Autumn 2026 Highlights

The gardens are peppered with bright oranges and reds in the autumn. Step over huge stones in the Rock Garden and try to spot Charlie the cat in the kitchen garden. Follow a family trail around the house or head out on a flat, circular walk across the wider estate. There’s loads to do with the kids at Sizergh this season and over October half term. 

'Wonder World: Earth' Children’s Trail

Delve down into the muddy earth and you'll find a whole world bursting with life. This interactive family trail takes you along the flat, 1.2-mile circular Holeslack Trail that’s full of the sights and sounds of autumn. Learn all about the magical, marvellous world of soil along your way.

Brought to you by kind permission of the kids book publisher, Nosy Crow. The trail is free, but admission applies.

Scallop Trail in the House

Step inside the house and see if you can spot all of the hidden scallops on the children’s scallop trail.

The house is full of thousands of quirky items and stories to discover. If you’re really observant you might also notice scallop shells hidden everywhere you look – in paintings, carved in wood, and in stained glass.

These shells are symbolic of the Catholic faith which has played an integral part in the Strickland family’s lives across the centuries. Pick up a trail sheet with your little ones when you enter the house and see how many you can all find.

Wild Play Trail 

Test your balance and bravery as you head into the woodland to follow the wild play trail, where hours of family fun are waiting. Follow the trail to reach the end, trying the climbing wall, balance beams, rope swing and stepping-stones along the way. 

This natural play area was made by our talented ranger team and is most suitable for ages 3 and up (although smaller children will need a helping hand from a grown up).

Adults and children walking along a tree‑lined path at Sizergh estate. — Family exploring the SOIL Wonder Earth trail at Sizergh, Cumbria | © Stuart Walker

Family activities at Sizergh

There's loads of fun to be had even if the weather is bad - try our favourite things to do when it's rainy at Sizergh.

Pull on your waterproofs and explore the wetland - take refuge in the bird hide and see what you can spot in the wetland

Put your hood up and take a stroll through ancient woodland on the Holeslack trail, spotting weird and wonderful fungi

Shelter in the cafe and enjoy cake and a cup of tea, and then have a browse in the shop

Discover the scallop trail in the house, and trace 800 years of family history
Enjoy the great outdoors whilst getting closer to nature with our ‘50 things’ list of self-led activities for young adventurers. There’s something to see and do at Sizergh all year round, but here are a few top suggestions to get you started.

No. 1 get to know a tree on the Holeslack access trail

No. 9 eat a picnic in the wild - there are benches on the grass outside the Visitor Centre, or on the Knoll

No. 44 Watch a bird from the bird hide at Park End Moss

No. 33 Go cloud watching from the lawn by the Mirror Lake
There are plenty of shady spots for a family picnic at Sizergh. Pack sandwiches, snacks and a flask of tea and spread out your blanket on the grass. Or find plenty of benches outside the Visitor Centre. Treat yourslef to an ice cream from the nearby kiosk. There's also picnic benches in the orchard, a bench halfway round the wooded knoll and on the grass as you leave the knoll, plus on the Holeslack access trail to pause and have a bite to eat as you wander.

Family of four walking down the steps at the front of Sizergh Castle into the garden. The trees and leaves are red and orange. — Family exploring the gardens at Sizergh. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Family-friendly things to do on the estate

Test your balance and bravery as you head into the woodland to follow the trail, where hours of family fun are waiting. Follow the clues to reach the end, trying the climbing wall, balance beams, rope swing and stepping-stones along the way.

This natural play area was made by our talented ranger team and is most suitable for ages three and up (although smaller children will need a helping hand from a grown up).