Discover more in Cheshire and Greater Manchester
Great houses and glorious gardens, moorland landscapes and medieval deer parks around Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester
Plan your a family day out in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. We've got play areas, wildlife to spot, plenty of things to do when it rains and loads of activities for kids (and the young at heart).
Places to visit with the family in Cheshire and Manchester
Get close to nature, step into the past or run tired legs out in a play area – there's something for the whole family to enjoy whatever the season.
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Quarry Bank
Plan your family day out to Quarry Bank and discover all the family-friendly things to do no matter the weather. From exploring the mill, to enjoying one of our seasonal trails around the property.
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Dunham Massey
From roaming fallow deer to bug-rich gardens and the heritage and history in the Georgian House and 400-year-old mill, there's something for all the family at Dunham Massey.
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Lyme
From running, skipping and jumping around Crow Wood play area and dressing up in period costume inside the house, to spotting red deer in the park, there’s something for everyone at Lyme.
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Hare Hill
Discover the secret gardens at Hare Hill, where little legs can roam safely; the perfect spot for a family day out.
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Little Moreton Hall
Whether you’re enjoying one of our self-led trails or the wibbly-wobbly floors, there's plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained at Little Moreton Hall.
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Tatton Park
Tatton Park is a great option for a family adventure this spring. The gardens, farm, mansion and parkland are jam-packed with things to do for the whole family whenever you visit.
May half term
May half term is nearly here, and with day trips on the cards for many of us, here are some of the best things you can with the kids at National Trust places near you.
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Quarry Bank
Oh no! The apprentices have hung their washing out to dry at Quarry Bank, but the wind has whisked it all away. Explore the gardens to track down the giant missing pieces of clothing, or head inside the mill to get hands on with clothe making process.
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Dunham Massey
Summer of Play is heading to Dunham Massey in time for May half term. The Play Hub will be brimming with colour, activities, games and challenges for little ones. Join craft and storytelling events, or bring a picnic to enjoy in the shade.
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Lyme
1,400 acres of rugged moors, ancient woodland and formal garden make Lyme a great place to have a go at lots of different ’50 things before you’re 11¾’ activities. Roll down a really big hill, fly a kite and find your way with a map.
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Hare Hill
The walled garden at Hare Hill is the perfect place to let little legs run free. Borrow a free nature pack and use the binoculars and spotter cards to see what wildlife you can find.
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Little Moreton Hall
Step back in time at this wonky Tudor house near Congleton. Speak to costumed interpreters to find out what life was like here in the past, walk up spiral staircases and find a new adventure with a pre-loved children’s book.
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Tatton Park
Spring into baa-rilliant adventures with Shaun the Sheep on a colourful family arts trail in blooming gardens. The supersized Shaun sculptures have been designed and painted by local and regional artists, some inspired by the flora and fauna you'll find in Tatton’s gardens from around the world.
May half term in Liverpool and Lancashire
Find May half term activities a little further afield at Speke Hall, Rufford Old Hall and Gawthorpe Hall.
Play areas in Cheshire and Greater Manchester
There’s nothing quite like playing outdoors. Swooshing down slides, clambering over logs and letting your imagination run wild. It’s no wonder that play areas are an essential part of many family days out. Here are some top places to play in Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
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The log pile at Dunham Massey
Is it a ship? Is it a castle? Will you get eaten by sharks if you fall off a beam? The log pile in the north park is a play area at one with nature. Perfect for little ones with active imaginations, these carefully placed logs and branches create a casual play environment for children (and adults) of all ages.
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Crow Wood playscape at Lyme
Let off some steam and have fun with your family in the Crow Wood play area. It’s the perfect place to run, skip and slide. Get closer to nature on a walk through Crow Wood and see what winter wildlife you can spot in the mill pond.
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Playground at Quarry Bank
You can find the playground just beyond the Mill Yard. It's small but perfectly formed, giving little ones the chance to jump, balance and climb obstacles. And with picnic benches are close by, it's perfect for parents to take a break with a warm coffee.
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Woodland play at Alderley Edge
Test your balance on giant logs and pretend the mud is water or strike your best tree pose on a tree stump in the natural play area at Alderley Edge. Look around to see birds flit from branch to branch amongst ancient trees and the woodland floor.
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Natural play area at Hare Hill
In spring, summer and autumn little ones can escape to the hidden natural play area at Hare Hill and discover the magic amongst the nature that lives there. Make a secret den and create some look out points to spot wildlife. Cook up a storm in the mini-mud kitchen – you’ll find all the ingredients you need on the woodland floor beneath.
Things to do when it rains
When it’s raining (and we get a lot of that in the north west) you have two options: find somewhere indoors to explore or grab your waterproofs and get stuck in! Luckily we have loads of suggestions for both…
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Embrace the rain at Dunham Massey
Don’t let the rain keep you at home – there’s plenty of activities that you can get up to no matter the weather at Dunham Massey. Put on your wellies and splash in muddy puddles, or create a modern art masterpiece from squishy mud – you can find inspiration with ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities.
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Explore inside the mill at Quarry Bank
Shelter from the rain inside the mill and feel the floors shake beneath your feet as the historic machinery whirrs and clatters into action. See one of the most powerful water wheels in the country spinning as the river flows beneath it.
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Step back in time at Lyme
Sometimes even the best laid plans can be ruined by a sudden downpour. Never fear, from dressing up in recency dress to playing billiards, there’s plenty of indoor activities for you to try inside the house at Lyme.
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Enter the unique house at Little Moreton Hall
Step inside the topsy-turvy house to wander over wibbly-wobbly floors, up spiral staircases – and you’ll even find a Tudor toilet! No wet weather visit is complete without treating yourself to a delicious snack in the tea room.
Family adventures further afield
Discover more family days out in the North of England and Wales with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.
Family-friendly places in Liverpool and Lancashire
Plan your family day out in Liverpool and Lancashire. From the beauty of the great outdoors and amazing histories to play areas, balance bikes and even a maze, there's something for the whole family to enjoy rain or shine.
Family-friendly places in the Lake District
Plan your next family day out in the Lake District – seek out natural play areas, scramble over rocks and spot wildlife on your way. As the days lengthen and the weather gets warmer, spring provides a great opportunity to make the most of your membership, explore the new season and visit somewhere new.
Family-friendly places in Yorkshire
Plan an adventure in Yorkshire this spring, with play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains. Bring the whole family to make memories during your time together.
Family days out in Wales
With fun-filled activities and exciting events, there are plenty of great family days out to be had in Wales. Explore vast Welsh castles, tick off some ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities, or let off steam in natural play areas.