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Family-friendly things to do at Wimpole

Visitors in the garden at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Visitors in the garden at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire | © James Dobson

Wimpole Estate is full of adventures waiting to happen. Whether your children are fascinated by impressive architecture, want to get up close to animals on a working farm or just need to let off steam in the great outdoors, families can have a lot of fun together, whatever the weather.

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Wimpole:

  • Baby-changing facilities are available at the visitor centre, the hall, the Old Rectory restaurant, the stables and Home Farm
  • Scooters, bikes and ball games are welcome in the parkland, but not beyond the entrance to the garden
  • The path from the car park to the stables, garden and Home Farm is accessible for pushchairs
  • Children’s lunchboxes are available in the Old Rectory restaurant
  • The new farm playground is open same time as Home Farm

Family friendly events

Harv'Fest 2025

Weekends in September
Join us on the last three weekends in September for a series of talks, tours, music and demonstrations across Wimpole Estate.Each weekend head to a different part of the estate to celebrate the produce cultivated at Wimpole. Learn about the many different varieties of Apples in our orchard or meet our farm team and hear about the rare breeds at Home Farm. With Shire Horse demonstrations, fruit and veg stalls, and a community scarecrow display, Harv’Fest is the place to be this autumn.

Heaps of fun

Halloween in the House

1 October - 2 November

Enter Wimpole Hall if you dare this Halloween! Stand beneath the spider stairwell, draped with cobwebs and clinging creatures, look on at the frightful feast laid out in the dining room, and follow the woodcutter trail along the Long Gallery this spooky season. Those brave enough to venture into the basement will find flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Face your fears
 

Big Tree Climbing

Selected dates throughout the year

Using ropes and harnesses, ascend into the canopy of one of Wimpole's largest trees, and enjoy an exhilarating adventure at new heights. During your climb, you will learn how to safely reach the top of giant trees and take in the views of the parkland. You can hang out in the canopy or venture further out onto the branches if you're feeling brave, before returning safely to the ground.

Get climbing

A child plants a seed at Little Acorns pre-school group at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
A child plants a seed at Little Acorns pre-school group at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire | © Elliot Neale

Little Acorns pre-school group

Little Acorns at the farm café

16 September - 2 December (Tuesdays in term time only)

Wimpole's popular pre-school group for 2-5 year olds is back for a second term. Come and get creative with craft activities, painting, messy play and learn a little bit about the animals on Home Farm. Run by Wimpole staff and volunteers it will include stories, songs and activities to develop those all important social, communication and fine motor skills.  Sessions will run in the Farm Cafe on Tuesdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm and are free but must be booked in advance as spaces are limited. Usual admission to Wimpole Estate applies (National Trust members free.) Treats and refreshments available from Farm café and hot drinks are 25p off if you bring a re-useable cup! 

Younger siblings are welcome but activities may not be suitable and children must be supervised at all times.  

Save my spot

Little Acorns in the gardens

11, 18 & 25 September 2025

Come and explore the wonders of nature in the gardens as Wimpole's popular pre-school group heads into the great outdoors. Join us for a fun-filled morning of digging, planting, and crafting activities, and learn about the various plants and wildlife in the beautiful walled garden. The event will be run by a team of experienced Wimpole staff and volunteers, and will include exciting stories, catchy songs, and outdoor adventures for all ages! Younger siblings are welcome but activities may not be suitable and children must be supervised at all times.

These sessions are very popular, if you are unable to attend a session please notify us so we can release your ticket.

Save my spot

Little Acorns in the House

Visit Wimpole this Winter for Little Acorns in the House, a pre-school group for 2-5 year olds. Come and join in with music and singing in the beautiful setting of the House.

Little acorns in the house will return later in the year, dates to be announced.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden and estate

Visit our farm playground

A space for our younger visitors to explore and play in an new, safe and stimulating way, all nestled within the picturesque surroundings of the estate’s Home Farm. Designed and crafted with an emphasis on fun and sustainability, the new play area features large climbing frames, an adventure trail, and accessible swings made of natural materials, surrounded by hardwood chip safety surfacing.  

The new equipment compliments the existing small farm play items with plenty of picnic benches for supervising family and friends to relax and enjoy hot and cold drinks, light lunches and snacks from the nearby Farm Cafe.  

Explore the Estate

With acres of parkland and miles of paths to explore, families can easily while away a  day at Wimpole. Wander the garden paths and discover the explorer path, navigating a winding route through the pleasure ground. The walled garden, with its high brick walls and gates has a secret garden feel that children will love to explore or peek into the glasshouse to see what’s growing.  In the summer, you'll be able to play garden games such as croquet and giant jenga on the lawns. 
 
Set on top of a hill in the 300 acres of ancient parkland is the gothic folly, a ruined tower straight out of a fairy story. Cross the Chinese bridge and climb to the top of the hill to enjoy the views over the roof of the hall below. Wander around the lake and see if you can spot the resident swans and ducks gliding around. 

Home Farm 

Home Farm is one of the UK’s largest rare breed centres and a working farm with horses, sheep, pigs, goats and more. Meet the gentle giants, the shire horses, in their stable block or spot piglets in the piggery. The cheeky Bagot goats can be found in their paddock, and you’ll always find donkeys and rabbits in the farmyard.  
 
Follow the new Home Farm trail and learn about the animals we care for and the day-to-day goings on at the farm. Explore the farm buildings and collect the eight special brass rubbings at each station. 

We also offer some immersive Shire horse experiences on selected dates, such as carriage rides around the estate and experience days.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lots of '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities to tick off during your visit. Here are a few recommendations:

  • No. 1 Get to know a tree: The parkland at Wimpole is home to many fascinating trees – big, small, old and new. Some trees have spaces big enough to get inside while others can be climbed. Many have vibrant summer flowers or colourful leaves to catch. Get to know a tree and see what creatures they’re home to

  • No. 6 Go welly wandering: A spot of rain doesn’t need to dampen your spirits! Pull on some wellies and explore the adventure woodland, pleasure gardens and parkland. See if you can find the secret laurel tunnel or upside down trees in the Victorian stumpery

  • No. 11 Explore on wheels: Get on your bikes and head out into the wider estate as a family on our new multi-use trail. Our new, circular 5.5 mile route is off-road, safe and provides children with the opportunity to grow their confidence on wheels and get outdoors

  • No. 28 Climb a huge hill: Cambridgeshire may not be famous for its hilly landscapes but the path up to the ruined folly is steep enough for little legs, and the views from the top are definitely worth the effort.

The south front of Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire with sheep in the foreground

Discover more at Wimpole Estate

Find out when Wimpole Estate is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Explore Wimpole Home Farm 

Built in 1794, Home Farm is the only in-hand farm of its kind in the National Trust. Unique to Wimpole Estate, it is a model for sustainable farming practices. A must see on your next visit, it is home to many rare-breed animals and the species of flora and fauna that make the estate an agricultural champion.  

Suffolk Punch horse, Joan grazing in a field at Wimpole Estate's Home Farm, Cambridgeshire

Eating at Wimpole Estate 

Stop for a bite to eat at one of the cafés or in the Old Rectory Restaurant at Wimpole.

A couple enjoys tea in on the lawns outside the Old Rectory at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

Visiting Wimpole Garden 

Discover Wimpole’s gardens and visit the Parterre, walk through the Pleasure Grounds meandering your way to the Walled Garden, with herbaceous borders and fruit trees.

Apples in the orchard at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

Visiting Wimpole Hall 

Step inside Wimpole Hall and discover how previous owners made their mark on this complex house.

The entrance hall at Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire with mosaic encaustic floor tiles from Maw and Co

Explore the parkland at Wimpole 

Explore the acres of parkland at Wimpole, abundant with wildlife, flora and fauna; stroll across the open space, or head across the Chinese bridge to visit the Gothic folly.

Sheep grazing in parkland with the Gothic Folly in the background at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire.

Family-friendly places to visit 

Looking for a family day out that'll keep everyone entertained? Find things to do with the kids at the places we care for near you.

Visitors exploring the garden at Wentworth Castle, South Yorkshire

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ 

Plan fresh-air activities, discover facts about nature and wildlife or learn a new skill with our suggestions for ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.

A boy playing in a tree at Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire

Family-friendly places in Cambridgeshire 

With gardens, countryside and historic buildings across Cambridgeshire, discover a selection of places to enjoy a great family day out, rain or shine.

A family explores the pleasure grounds at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire