Two children running across lawn in front of brick and timber house — Children playing in garden in spring at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

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.

Discover natural landscapes, historic houses, play areas and outdoor adventures with all the family.

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Speke Hall

There's always adventure to be had at Speke Hall, whenever you visit. Have you ever played vegetable musical instruments? Solved a mind-boggling hedge maze? Zoomed along a zip wire? Made your own woodland den? Discover the fun activities your family can enjoy here.

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Rufford Old Hall

There’s so much for families to do – you can borrow a balance bike, explore the surrounding gardens and woodland, discover the dedicated area for nature play and set your imagination free inside the house.

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Gawthorpe Hall

From discovering the majestic woods where children can enjoy the natural play area and views across Pendle Hill, to exploring inside the Hall’s stunning historic rooms that show what life was like in the Victorian period for the Kay-Shuttleworth family who once resided there.

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Heysham Coast

Explore this hidden gem on the Lancashire coast, with magnificent cliff-top views and plenty of room for little legs to run free.

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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Speke Hall

Do you know the local legend of the Giant Childe of Hale, who was supposedly over nine foot tall? During May half term you can follow a woodland adventure where you can spot giant buttons, optical illusions and maybe even two large feet coming out of a bedroom window!

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Rufford Old Hall

Create beautiful pieces of artwork with the ‘Drawn on the Lawn’ drawing experience at Rufford. Pick up your free art pack on arrival and learn to draw as a family.

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Gawthorpe Hall

Skip along woodland paths or play hide ‘n’ seek in the natural play area at Gawthorpe Hall this half term. Or little explorers can head further into the woodland to see what different types of birds and mini-beasts they can find.

Family playing in the woodland area near the lake at Lyme Park, Cheshire

May half term in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

Find May half term activities a little further afield at Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank, Lyme and more.

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 Liverpool and Lancashire.

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Speke Hall

There are two play areas at Speke Hall. Let older kids run wild, take on exciting challenges or zoom down a zip line in the woodland play area. The gated play area, with wheelchair-accessible equipment, is safe place for little legs to explore while you enjoy a coffee on the nearby picnic benches.

A child in shorts jumping off a wooden structure onto a wooden stepping stone inside a woodland.

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Gawthorpe Hall

Kids can skip along woodland paths, play hide 'n' seek and get closer to the natural landscape at Gawthorpe Hall's woodland play area. With stepping stones and walls to climb on, they're sure to be tired out in no time!

When it rains 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…

A woman and child looking wondrously inside a room at Speke Hall

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Explore the house at Speke Hall

Step inside the Tudor house to see if you can find the portrait of local legend, the Child of Hale who was said to have been over 9 feet tall! Make sure to bring your waterproofs and explore the fun Giant Child of Hale play trail in the woods if the weather clears up.

Visitors at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

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Play pretend at Rufford Old Hall

The house at Rufford is filled with fascinating treasures and stories. Imaginations will run free when little ones spot the suits of armour in the Great Hall – and they can escape even further into their own story by dressing up like a Tudor lady or gentleman!

Children's feet in wellington boots jumping in puddles at Sheffield Park, East Sussex

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Embrace the rain at Gawthorpe Hall

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 Gawthorpe Hall. 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.

Looking from the limestone outcrop across Morecombe Bay at Heysham Coast, Lancashire

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See crashing waves at the Heysham Coast

Grab your waterproofs and enjoy a seaside stroll at the Heysham Coast. It has a history of saints, shipwrecks and graves, all against the backdrop of Morecambe Bay. Watch the tides changing and the stormy weather bringing in crashing waves.

Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.

A child with curly blonde hair wearing green sunglasses lying on a picnic blanket.

Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

Plan your a family day out in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. We've got play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains.

A family standing on the lakeshore at Aira Green in Ullswater

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.

Visitors outside the front of East Riddlesden Hall in Yorkshire

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.

A family walking through woodland at Cragside surrounded by lush greenery with trees and purple flowering bushes in the background

Family-friendly places in the North East

Make new family memories in the North East this spring. From weekend and school holiday adventures, nature- inspired walks, house to explore and play areas to let off steam, there's something for everyone come rain or shine at the places we care for.