Family fun at Greenway

Family walking through woodland, National Trust — Explore the woodland garden this autumn at Greenway with the family trail

As the seasons change, it's the perfect time to explore the garden at Greenway. From woodland paths full of adventure, to spotting winter wildlife on the river.

Family-friendly checklist

If you're planning a family day out, here's some handy info to help…

Free entry for under 5s and free entry for National Trust members#
If coming by car, please book your parking in advance
Free garden trails available to pick up in Visitor Reception
Baby-changing facilities in access-friendly toilets.
Buggy friendly routes around the garden.
Hip-carrying infant seats available for loan in the house.
Children’s menu available from the Barn Café.
Picnics are very welcome
Pocket money gifts and children's books available in the shop. There are children's books in our second-hand bookshop, too.

Please note that our opening times change in November. Click here to plan ahead.

Outdoor adventures

It's a new chapter in the garden at Greenway, with the trees changing colour and the days getting colder. Busy hands are preparing the allotment for next year, and garden residents are stocking up for the winter.

Discover the Enchanted Woodland at Greenway

Travelling trees

From towering giants to spiky branches, the trees at Greenway have a story or two to tell. Discover more on our Travelling Trees trail around the garden.

Autumn explorers

Bright bursts of colour, crunchy leaves and wild art - there's tons of adventures to be had in nature this season. From October discover what the garden holds, and use your imagination to create your own story.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

We've put together a list of 50 activities for you to enjoy, from building a den to watching the stars glitter in the night sky. You'll be a seasoned adventurer by the time you've managed to try out all 50 activities. And it doesn't end there. You can enjoy doing our '50 things' again and again, in all seasons.

At Greenway, here are some of our favourites '50 things' activities to do at this time of year:

1. Get to know a tree
These friendly giants have stood the test of time, and seen lots of events unfold. Get up close and feel the bark, or see what animals might have made their home there.

18. Create some wild art
You're sure to find a stick or two if you take a walk through the woodland garden. How creative can you be? From wands to crowns, to arrows - the list is endless.

To find out more of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities you can do, check out this handy list here.

A pom pom Christmas Pudding wreath hanging on the kitchen door at Greenway, Devon

Christmas at Greenway

There's holiday cheer all around at Greenway this season. Head outdoors for a winter wander with Percy The Park Keeper on the garden trail, warm up with tasty treats from the cafe and fill your heart with that festive feeling as the house is transformed for a Christie family Christmas.

Adventures at the Boathouse and Battery

From the Boathouse quay you could count the boats on the river, which is always bustling with activity; trawlers, river cruises, a paddle steamer and kayakers can regularly be seen. At the Battery the cannon always captures little-one's imaginations - can you're kids defend Greenway from attack by river pirates?

Wildlife spotting

Down by the river

The Boathouse and Battery is Greenway's number one spot for wildlife watching. The River Dart is home to and visited by lots of birds; buzzards, cormorants, egrets, and guillemots are often seen. Herons nest on the edge of Greenway garden in spring, and in June you may see the young leaving the nest. Two creatures which always create the most excitement when spotted from the Boathouse are seals and kingfishers.

The Bird Pond

The Bird Pond is a great spot for wildlife watching. It's named after the Bridget McCrum statue of a bird which presides over the pond, rather than the birds which visit it. In spring/early summer, damselflies start to emerge; why not take a seat on the bench by the pond to watch them? Earlier in the year common toads laid their spawn here so by June the toadlets will be getting ready to leave the pond.

Autumn activities for families

There's shed loads of fun to be had with our Family Hub. From exploring things to do, games to play and recipes to bake. There's lots to do outdoors and indoors, come rain or shine, so why not take a look for fun ideas this season and be inspired?