Outdoor Adventures at Sutton House & Breaker's Yard

A stone head and a weeping woman. Ghostly hounds and a paw print in brick. A schoolgirl’s gloves worn more than 100 years ago…What could it all mean?

Whatever their age and whatever the weather, they’ll discover intriguing tales and colourful characters in the heart of Hackney.

The hunt is on

Grab a treasure list and hunt high and low for some of Sutton House’s most precious objects. As you make your way along the treasure path, you’ll find out what life was like in Hackney hundreds of years ago.

Discover what Victorians used to keep warm at night and see how music was made and played in days gone by. Spot hidden patterns and track down the dogs that once roamed the yard.

You might even stumble across a ghost story or two! What better way to enjoy some hidden heritage than on a treasure hunt?

Card games have been enjoyed by children for centuries, but our ancestors won’t have played Sutton House Shuffle.

This new game has been created for younger visitors and was inspired by a playing card that was found under the floorboards. At nearly 400 years old, the card is one of our oldest artefacts.

The rules of Shuffle are simple: search for the unique set of playing cards hidden in boxes around the house.

Each card shows the face of somebody connected to Sutton House. Search for Ralph Sadleir who built the house in 1535 and lift the lid on the tragic story of Frances Cotton who is said to haunt her bedroom.

Then fast forward to the 20th century and find Flowers in the Dustbin – a punk rock band who squatted in the house in the 1980s and helped preserve many important objects.

Once you’ve found each card, place it back in the box with the special stamp, ready for the next player. Stamp all 12 cards on the sheet to collect the full deck.

Explore the Breaker’s Yard garden

Take a break outside in the reclaimed Breaker’s Yard garden and ‘ride back in time’ in our 1970s caravan. It’s been kitted out as a historic stately home which will distort your senses, just like Alice in Wonderland.

Smell the plants growing in our edible garden, run your fingers through sand and jump through tyres.

There’s lots of fun for families at Sutton House. Come and play!

Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 12-5pm, until 23 September (members go free, entrance fee applies for non members. Free family activity packs are available from reception on entry).

We have a café selling light snacks and refreshments and a gift shop, both are open to the public and as part of a house and garden visit.

Baby-changing facilities are available in the disabled toilet. Wheelchair access to the building is for the ground floor only.