Family fun at Kingston Lacy

summer fun at Kingston Lacy

There is always lots going on at Kingston Lacy to help you spend time together as a family. Take your bike for a spin along the Woodland Trail, let imaginations run wild in our woodland play area and have a go at some '50 things' challenges in the garden and parkland.

Autumn activities

Welcome to a wild autumn at Kingston Lacy!

There's a seasonal activity booklet (£1) to pick up from Visitor Reception, filled with fun challenges for you and your children to enjoy. Autumn is such an inspirational season, and these activities are sure to fire your imagination and creativity. 

Visit us in half-term week (23-31 October) and try out one of our craft packs (£1), with instructions and materials to make your own beeswax candles. Maybe it will be a special present, or maybe you can save it to light on Christmas Eve?

Throughout September and October, the Shepherd’s Hut will be open daily for
families to collect ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ leaflets and wallcharts.

Head back to the Laundry to find out more about how the Outdoor team spend autumn, and how our activities from beekeeping to seed collecting help keep Kingston Lacy so special.

Family-friendly checklist 

  • Free entry for under 5s.
  • Baby-changing facilities in access-friendly toilets.
  • Buggy-friendly route around the Woodland Trail.
  • Play area on the Woodland Trail
  • Children’s menu available from the Stables Café.
  • Pocket money gifts and children's books available in the shop. 

 

Children cycling through woodland
Cycling

Woodland Trail 

Venture off the beaten track on the 3 mile Woodland Trail at Kingston Lacy. You can walk the route or take your bike for a spin. The trail is dog friendly (on a short lead) and suitable for buggies and adapted wheelchairs so the whole family can join in. For little legs there is a shorter route of 1.5 miles (30mins – 1 hour). Why not stop at the Woodland Play Area for a picnic and see how much wildlife you can spot along the way?

Download the route

'50 Things' at Kingston Lacy

From wild art to cloud watching there are heaps of activities on the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' list to keep you busy at Kingston Lacy all year round. Visit the Shepherd's Hut at the start of the Woodland Walk to pick up your ‘50 things’ booklet. The challenges listed below are some of our favourites – why not have a go when you next visit?

Two young boys looking up, stood inside a tree

No. 1 Get to know a tree

The acres of wooded parkland at Kingston Lacy make it perfect for getting to know more about trees. Explore trees throughout the seasons, from buds on branches to falling leaves in autumn. Some trees have hollows so big that you can climb inside, others have smaller holes that are just as good for exploring. Touch the bark, look up through the branches and listen to the wind rustling the leaves.

Boy flying a kite at Sheffield Park East Sussex

No. 7 Fly a kite

When there's a bit of a breeze in the air it's the perfect time to feel the force of the wind as you send a kite high into the sky. Borrow a kite from the Shepherd's Hut at the start of the Woodland Trail or bring along your own kite to fly.

Bug hunting

No 31. Make friends with a bug

Ladybirds, spiders, butterflies, woodlice - there are all kinds of creepy crawlies hiding in the woods and parkland at Kingston Lacy. See what bugs you can find on your adventure?

Cloud watching at Kingston Lacy in Dorset

No. 33 Go cloud watching

With imagination you can create whole worlds from the shapes you see in the sky. You can do this anywhere at Kingston Lacy but top spots include the South Lawn and the specially designed leaning posts along the Woodland Walk.

50 things to do before youre 11 3/4

New to 50 Things? 

If you're new to the 50 things challenge or want to find some inspiration for more places to visit, take a look at the full list and open the door to a world of family fun.