Summer Family Activities at Gibside

A family in the sunshine at Gibside — Enjoy family time this summer at Gibside

Summer holidays call for action-packed family adventures. Here at Gibside we’ve got 600 acres of woodlands, fields and gardens to explore, and free games and inspiring activities to get you closer to nature.

From 23 July, summer 2022

During the 6 week summer break, they'll be free activities every day. Each week will be themed, 'Rest & Relaxation', 'Faster, Further, Longer' or 'Gibside Classics', with games like Tumbling Tower, quiots, orienteering, Flying Disc Golf and hobby horse racing to try. In July, pick up an activity planner at Visitor Reception to pin to your fridge and be inspired.

Toddler and grandparents playing Tumbling Tower in the garden — Play Tumbling Tower with the whole family

Come out and play

It's the perfect time of year for outdoor play and thanks to support from Sport England, we have lots of sports or you to get active as a family. Whether grandma wants to hit the target with a foam javelin or the toddlers want to grab a sensory feel tub, whether the teens try sitting volleyball or mum and dad are trying blindfolded football with jingle bands, each activity is designed for everyone to have fun and get active this summer.

Child kicking a football high in the sky — Play sports and get active at Gibside this summer

Discover nature

With miles of walks and woodland trails, there’s no excuse not to stretch your legs on an adventure. If it's nature you’re keen to spot, stand very still - you may see Roe deer skip by, Leafcutting bees buzzing hard at work or even Great Crested newts in the Octogan pond. Stop off at the bird hide hidden within the woodlands. Who knows what you'll see up close? Perhaps woodpeckers or even the resident Red Kites.

Play for the day

Extend your stay and play for the day! No visit to Gibside is complete without a trip to the Strawberry Castle play area. This wooden fortress is fit for any King or Queen ready to take on the world! If you're a dare devil, zoom along the zip wire, pump the Archimedes screw and fly high on the basket swings.

A girl cartwheels at Gibside — Play out this summer

Playing at Gibside

Not only is there Strawberry Castle Play Area to play at! Now with a sand and water area, plus, new swings. You can also head to the low ropes course or maybe the nature playscape?

Give little feet a rest, after a long day of exploring

After a full day of getting ‘happy-tired’ playing, head to Strawberry Castle kiosk for some delicious Northern Bloc ice cream or Market Place café for child’s lunch box. To end the day, find our second-hand bookshop and rest under a tree whilst your imagination takes a fictional journey.

Staying at home? Try some of our ideas to stay active outdoors.

A gardener weeding in summer at Eyam Hall and Craft Centre, Derbyshire

Summer gardening tips

Would you like to get more out of your summer blooms? Get some answers from our gardening experts on how to garden during the warmest season.

Children investigating a bug with a microscope

'50 things' activities to do in your back garden

Even bold adventurers don't need to go too far from home to tick off challenges from the '50 things' activity list. Here are our top ideas for activities that you can do in your own back garden or outdoor green space

Learn new skills with our how to guides

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own bird feeder? We've got plenty of how to guides for you to discover, from how to make your own compost, to how to green clean your home.

Discover new places to enjoy Summer

Visitors playing table tennis at Osterley Park and House, London

Summer family activities for every adventurer

There's lots of summer family activities at places near you. We've got nature trails to keep the kids entertained and sporty challenges to get your heart racing, peaceful gardens to discover and outdoor games for fun afternoons. Pick up a 'Come out and play' activity card when you visit and see what adventure you'll be having this summer.

Find a summer activity