A family-friendly day out at Lyme

Family playing in the woodland area near the lake at Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Looking for things to do with the kids? Whether you're looking for rainy day indoor activities or an adventure outdoors, there’s something to occupy all ages here at Lyme. A short drive from Manchester and on the edge Stockport, Lyme is a full day out for families living in or visiting the North West and the Peak District.

Planning your family visit

If you're planning a day out with the family, at Lyme here is some useful information

Getting around Lyme:

It's a long walk across Lyme, so check if the free shuttle bus is running to drive you between the admissions hut, house and main car park area.

The garden is a dog and pram friendly walk, with step free access from the North Front of the house. The Timber Yard, Crow Wood Play Area, and Mill Pond are a popular area for families.

Walk past the house, along East Drive to see views of The Cage and go deer spotting as you pass the deer sanctuary.

Buggy-storage:

Buggy parking and free lockers to store heavy or bulky items can be found at the house. Storing prams are a £1 refundable deposit.

Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats are also available to borrow from the Ticket Office at the house.
Pick n mix children's lunch

There’s a 'pick and mix' style picnic box available for children in each cafe. Choose a sandwich, drink and a selection of three snacks for £5.25. There are highchairs available to use indoors – ask a member of staff to bring one to your table.

High chairs

High chairs are available to borrow at each of the cafés - please ask a member of staff to bring one to your table.

A young girl in a crown and fairy wings are chasing their family at Lyme, Cheshire — Join us for a World of Whimsy between 24 July and 6 August | © National Trust Images/Sophie Bolesworth

Summer holiday activities at Lyme

Play your way, every day from 24 July - 3 September and with 1400 acres to explore there's plenty of space to do it in. Visit Lyme for a Summer of Play, with six weeks chock-full of games and activities. Each fortnight will be celebrating different ways to play with brand new activities and experiences.

Weeks 1 and 2 - Make believe (24 July – 6 August)

Welcome to a World of Whimsy at Lyme. Run through the ribbons, dress up and make magical memories.

Weeks 3 and 4 - Adventure (7 August – 20 August)

Children can test their skills while exploring Lyme's huge estate. Head to the garden and Crow Wood play area to see what adventure you will have...

Weeks 5 and 6 - Traditional games (21 August – 3 September)

Perfect for all the family, enjoy recreations of traditional games that have been played at Lyme over the decades – you
might find a new favourite!

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Indoor adventures at Lyme this Summer

Even the best laid plans can be ruined by a sudden downpour. Never fear, we’ve got plenty of fun things to do inside with top indoor adventures for rainy days at Lyme. From dressing up at little Leghs to playing billards in the Long Gallery, there's plenty of interactive fun indoors. Here's some ideas for your visit:

Visitors dressing up in period dress at Lyme, Cheshire | © Jan-Christof Telford

Dress up

Visit the Dressing Room between 11am and 2pm to step into the shoes, bonnets and top hats of Regency England and what life was like for the people that lived at Lyme. Suitable for the whole family with children's sizes, men's sizes from XS to XXL and from women's size 6 to size 24.

The Billiard's Room at Lanhydrock, with a billiard's table in the foreground and a fireplace in the background. — Play billiards in the Long Gallery at Lyme | © National Trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel

Play billiards in the Long Gallery

Looking for a fun and relaxing activity for the whole family? Why not try your hand at billiards in the Long Gallery at Lyme? Billiards is a classic game of skill and strategy that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities. (As long as you can see over the table!)

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Popular family walks

Ditch the technology, breathe in the fresh air and get closer to nature on a walk. Here are some favourite walks chosen by families which are pram friendly and suitable for the whole family - including dogs on short lead. Looking for longer or more challenging walks? Look at our top trails or just pick up a map and lose yourself in the estate.

Child enjoying the Crow Wood play area at Lyme Park, Cheshire — Visitors at Crow Wood play area, Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Discover Crow Wood Play Area

Let off some steam and unleash your wild ones in recently refurbished Crow Wood play area. The perfect place for younger adventurers to run, skip and slide. Get closer to nature on a walk through Crow Wood and see what you can spot on a buggy friendly walk around the mill pond. With toilets and a café close by, you're only a hop skip and a jump from all you the facilities you need.

50 Things to do before you're 11¾

Want your kids to run free in the fresh air and trying exciting new things? What better way to spend your day than trying new family-friendly activities from the list of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'?

Here's just a few ideas to get you started:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: With so many to choose from, which will you get up close and personal to? Look out for leaf shapes, textures on the bark and tiny creatures that might live on the tree.
No. 12 Have fun with sticks: Let your imagination run wild. Build a den, make a trail or create your own game...they make perfect wands.
No. 44 Watch a bird: To be a successful bird watcher, you'll need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. What will you spot?

Explore all 50