Fun for families at Stowe

A group of children playing in the woodland — Enjoy our special places this half-term

Children with umbrellas — Don't let the rain put you off visiting

den building killerton clump children outdoors family visit exeter devon — Look out for den building areas when you visit

Children on the Winter Wonders trail at Claremont

Get the kids outdoors with acres of space to play and stretch their legs. Adventures await your family with so much to discover whatever their age: from the temples, lakes, wildlife and fun activities. We want you to play and have fun – leave your worries at the garden gate, forget you’re a grown up and join your children in a dream world of monumentally sized gardens and we guarantee a fun day out and a good night of sleep.

Family explorers

Every season and available daily, there’s a different theme for your family to enjoy whilst having a go at some of the '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'. Borrow a free family explorer guide when you arrive or download it here to print and bring with you.

Wild Wednesdays

Get the kids closer to nature with activities varying for each of the school holidays. Join the nature team for outdoors exploration, crafts and to conquer some of the '50 things' activities. Sessions run Wednesdays 10.30m-2pm and cost £2 per child with normal admission applying. Booking online is essential for half-term holidays as spaces are limited and popular. Check the What's on listings soon for all of the 2020 dates.

What's on at Stowe

Step into a world of adventure trails and outdoors fun throughout the school holidays and weekends.

Make a date for the diary

A blue and grey guide with cartoon owl, snowflakes surrounds text giving ideas of activities for families to do when visiting Stowe in the winter

Your icy quest awaits

Explore winter with your senses, get close to a tree, play name that temple and follow hidden tracks as you find some of our top '50 things'. Take a peek or print it to bring along with you when you visit.

Download the guide now

Your children are nature's future

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

Creating wild art at Stoneywell, Leicestershire

Stowe Buckinghamshire

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

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.

Press the boost button and leap outdoors

Toddler Tuesdays

On the first Tuesday of the month, drop by the cafe for toddler fun with activities. Every month there's a new theme based on the seasons to keep your little ones entertained. Find out what themes are coming up soon by clicking the What's on link above.

Bikes

We'd love for you to cycle to Stowe, please lock bikes up in the spaces provided in the car park. You need to be on foot patrol in the gardens so you don't miss anything. Small scooters and balance bikes can be taken into the gardens. We kindly ask that bikes with pedals don't go in the gardens.

Hungry tummies

Our café, with indoor and outdoor seating, is the perfect pit stop for hungry families. Enjoy healthy, fresh meals, child’s portions, pick and mix children’s lunch boxes and tasty treats. Or picnic in the gardens or temples - just pick a spot. Find out more about the café.

Happy families

Relaxed environment
Bottle-warming facilities
Baby-changing facilities
Breast-feeding welcome
High chairs
Events throughout the year

Weather experts

Here are our top tips for embracing the outdoors whatever the weather at Stowe.

When the sun is shining, you'll find the wooded areas and temples a good place to rest and find some shade
The gardens are large. For fun days out with smiling kids at the end, bring sunhats, sun cream and bottles of water to stay hydrated. Plan a route to decide how far you'll go and choose rest stops along the way
Fill up water bottles for free from the cafe. You'll find the watre tap on the servery area alongside utensils, saving you from joining any queue
To dodge rain showers, use the temples as shelters
Temples with shelter, some benches or to use for picnic spots are: The Lake Pavilions, Concord and Victory, Ancient Virtue, The Grotto, The Cascade (there are small nooks to sit in), Queens Temple, The Fane of Pastoral Poetry
You'll find seasonal items for sale in our shop if you've left something behind at home
Ice creams are on sale in the shop as well as the cafe, if you need a quick family 'pick me up'

Thank you

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

Play in the Labyrinth - available spring-summer

Take the kids to a shaded spot in the garden and discover a new play area to explore. Head to the very top of the Labyrinth, then turn to the right. You'll find a giant skittle alley with wooden abacus to keep score for a fun game of outdoors bowling. Walk further down the path to reveal the giant garden swing, perfect for family fun.