'50 things to do before you're 11¾' at Stowe

Creating wild art at Stoneywell, Leicestershire

Make a mud pie — Get mucky and make a mud creation

Child on welly walk — Splash through the puddles this winter

child taking a photo — Try creating a photo diary this year

Girl walking through the mud in her wellies — Squelch around and complete '50 things' No. 13, make a mud creation

One girl ages approximately ten looks through a magnifying glass at plants whilst looking for bugs and a younger boy looks into a bug pot at an insect he has caught whilst a mother watches with intrigue — Get up close and personal to some mini-beasts whilst you have a go at '50 things' No. 31, make friends with a bug

A young girl has a wide-eyed expression after eating a sour blackberry. Two younger boys are in the background picking fruit from the bush. — Sweet or sharp? You'll find blackberry bushes at Stowe to have a go at '50 things' No. 21, forage for wild food

A girl carries a pumpkin — Spot some of our autumn bumper crops in the Farmhouse Garden at Stowe

Kite flying in the sky — Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a kite!

Ready for a rip-roaring adventure? Re-wild the children and get outdoors away from the tech and tune into nature. The gardens and park at Stowe provide the ultimate backdrop for igniting imaginations, in a world of lakes, magical woods, ginormous temples and twisted trees. Open daily, 10am-5pm, closing at 4pm in the winter* with free family explorer guides that change seasonally and organised '50 things' activities, we've got a huge array of ideas to get your journey kick-started.

Super spring activities

A view through a semicircle archway in a dark cave like grotto looks onto a winding river with sunlight glistening at Stowe

Swans by the lake and south front of Stowe house, Stowe.

Children climbing a tree in Stowe Landscape Garden Buckinghamshire

The Temple of Concord and Victory in the Grecian Valley at Stowe, Buckinghamshire

Children's comments about an egret written in pen in a lined notebook

No. 29 explore a cave

Come and dare to explore a dark and murky cave which over looks the river Styx in the Elysian Fields.

No. 44 watch a bird

Have a break and enjoy sitting peacefully in the Lake Pavilions watching the birds soar across the lakes.

No. 1 get to know a tree

Look out for hollowed trees and topsy-turvy twisted trees across the gardens. Feel their rugged bark and guess how old they might be.

No. 28 climb a huge hill

Start your journey from the bottom to the top of the Grecian Valley to conquer the hill and explore the Temple of Concord and Victory. Little ones can try the hill at Ancient Virtue or the Gothic Temple which are just as exciting to investigate.

No. 17 set up a snail race

Find one of the temple floors for a suitable flat surface to set up your race. Use a few tasty leaves to entice your slimy friend towards the finish line.

No. 48 keep a nature diary

Keep a record of your amazing adventures in nature, capturing your memories of the animals and plants you’ve seen.

No. 34 discover wild animal clues

Head out the morning after the rain has fallen and you'll be bound to find yourself on the trail of animal tracks. Look by the soft verges of paths keeping an eye out for otter and rabbit tracks to name a few.

Spring seekers

Seek out nature's gifts as spring blooms back to life with this sensory guide to help you discover which birds to spot, flowers to find and creepy crawlies to uncover from their winter hiding.

Download the guide now

A family walking along the Temple of Concord and Victory in winter.

A year to make memories

Become a member when you visit Stowe and your money will help care for the gardens whilst you get to enjoy a whole year of family fun.

Membership could change your life

Video

Speaking nature's language

We asked kids what they associate with certain nature words. Watch this video to hear their thoughts and see them rediscover the true meanings of these words.

Top secret opportunity

Whilst your family will be able to have a go at many of the '50 things' activities during the day at Stowe, there is one rare event a year, where your children can complete some of the more elusive challenges. Book a mini-staycation with us for Big Camp and you'll help make memories that you can all cherish. Here are some of those extra special opportunities to take part in:

No. 3 camp outdoors
No. 23 get up for the sunrise
No. 27 go stargazing
No. 40 go on a nature walk at night
No. 49 watch the sunset

Alongside guided activities, our nature team will run sessions of adventuring, crafts, bug hunting, and wild fun to have a go at even more of the '50 things' over the event. Keep an eye out here and on our What's on events listing for when our 2020 dates become available.

The parkland - only for all-conquering explorers

There's so much to do in the garden, but did you know there are 1,000 acres of parkland you can conquer on a day out? What's more, it's free entry. Park at the New Inn visitor centre and walk the circular route to get up close and personal with nature. Forage for wild food in the autumn, get to know a tree with our veteran trees (even better if you head down Stowe Avenue in the autumn), play conkers, find funky fungi, find your way with a map, the possibilities are endless!

*Please note the gardens are closed with parkland and New Inn visitor centre open on 24 May 2020. Closed 24 and 25 December.