Family-friendly things to do at Tatton Park

A girl and a member of staff with a chick — See the chicks at the Farm at Tatton Park | © Tatton Park

Join us for We're Going on a Bear Hunt this summer...Visit the Tatton Park Farm and see the chicks in the hatchery. Grab a summer scavenger hunt, or follow a fun and educational nature trail all about Billie the Beetle and her forest friends through Dairy Wood Way while looking out for some awesome summer wildlife.

Planning your family visit

Toilet facilities and baby changing you’ll find in the Stableyard (please note there are no toilets in the gardens).
There are garden mobility scooters available to hire from the garden entrance on the day of your visit (not available to pre-book and for use in the gardens only).
The adventure play area is located a short walk from the main car park, where there are some picnic benches. There is also a woodland adventure area at the Farm.
The Stables Restaurant is baby friendly, with highchairs and children’s lunchboxes on offer.
Please note that Tatton Park is a National Trust estate, managed and financed by Cheshire East Council. Parkland charges apply for everyone, including National Trust members. More details at tattonpark.org.uk.

Find even more family events on the button below.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Saturday 19 July - Sunday 7 September 2025

This summer, we’re partnering with Wild in Art and Walker Books to bring you a colourful trail of brilliant bears! Inspired by Michael Rosen's classic children's story, each bear sculpture tells it’s own story, beautifully painted and unique and hiding throughout the Gardens and Farm. Can you find them all?

Follow the trails of 10 bright and colourful bears through the gardens and farm. Swish through the long grass, venture through the pinetum forest and picnic beneath the trees!

Billie the Beetle Trail

Join Billie the Beetle and friends on a fun and educational nature trail through Dairy Wood Way. Little explorers will love this peaceful guided walk through the woodland, learning about the habitats and important wildlife that live there in the trees and leaf litter. This trail follows a gentle, circular route, taking approximately 20 minutes to complete.

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Summer activities for the whole family

There’s plenty of ways to spend time together with the family at Tatton Park.

Allen Birdhide

Enjoy a spot of birdwatching on Melchett Mere, a haven for wildlife. Cuckoos have been heard at Tatton this year, most notably one at the southern end of Tatton Mere near to the reedbed. Reed warblers are a favoured choice of host species to lay the egg into as the cuckoo famously lays its eggs in other bird’s nests. The Hide is situated on the edge of Melchett Mere alongside Knutsford Drive, immediately after the turning to the Old Hall. The Hide can accommodate 10 people and can be used during park opening times (closed 30 minutes before the park closes.) Please note, binoculars are not provided.

Family exploring the spring Gardens, Tatton Park, Cheshire — Enjoy a walk in nature | © With passion and purpose

Summer is the perfect time for a trail walk

The thinning and coppicing work undertaken in Tatton’s woodlands has enabled wildflowers to flourish by decreasing the canopy cover and opening glades. As the volume and variety of flowers grows, so too does the pollinator population that feeds on them. Families will enjoy visiting the Beech Avenue Conservation Trail – a 2 kilometre long trail which takes approximately ¾ hour to fully appreciate. The avenue was originally planted in 1739 and many of the trees have now reached the ancient phase of their lives, the most valuable for wildlife. The holes, decay, fissures, and dead wood host numerous invertebrates (including nationally scarce species) and provide legally protected roosting and nesting sites for birds and bats. Along the way walkers will be able to learn about the history, wildlife and landscape features of the avenue and its immediate surroundings. 

More info on eating and shopping at Tatton Park

Visitors in the woodland play area at the Farm, Tatton Park, Cheshire — Woodland Play Area at the Farm | © Tatton Park

Summer of Adventure at the Farm

Between Tuesday 22 July - Friday 22 August 2025, (closed Mondays) get up close and personal with all your farmyard favourites, enjoy delicious cookery demonstrations, and get hands on with science and sustainability, watch the kids climb and play in the woodland play area. Make a date for the Summer Country Fayre at the Farm this August Bank Holiday weekend for a fantastic time filled with traditional fayre and exciting activities! There's something for the whole family to enjoy.

This summer, head down to the farm for a fun-filled day out!

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Family time together

There’s plenty of ways to spend time together with the family. Here’s some activities to enjoy with your little explorers:

Play in nature

If you're a wildlife lover – why not pack your binoculars and head to the Allen Bird Hide to see what wildlife you can spot across Tatton’s Mere? Perfect for little ones, take a short, circular woodland walk in Dairy Wood Way or head to the Adventure Play area – right next to the car park.

Visit the farm

Say hello to your favourite farmyard friends and look out for piglets and new arrivals! Children will love exploring the outdoor play area. Little ones can head indoors to the play barn for a mini tractor ride and meet Aunty Mary and the Miller who have tales to tell (weekends only).

A garden for all seasons

There’s 50 acres of gardens for little ones to burn off some energy. The Japanese Garden looks stunning in every season and from the Italian Garden you can take in the vistas over the parkland with the Peak District in the distance. Warm up in the Fernery and Conservatory and admire our indoor tropical fernery – it’s inviting space all year round. And if the sun is shining, there’s plenty of garden spots to enjoy a picnic with a spectacular view or head to the many picnic benches in the Stableyard and Play area.

Treat yourself

Browse in the pre-loved bookshop, full of great reads for all ages, before heading to the Stables for a full works hot chocolate. The Housekeeper’s Store is stocked full of local and artisan food, with a selection of delicious sweet treats. The Gift Shop and Garden Shop offer a choice of souvenirs of your visit to take home with you.