Family-friendly things to do at Cotehele

Child in the garden at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire in autumn — Child playing in autumn leaves | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Discover all the things to do on a family day out to Cotehele. Explore the garden and orchards and head out on an adventure around the estate. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and how best to plan your day out at Cotehele with children in mind.

Planning your family visit to Cotehele

Free entry for under 5s
Baby-changing facilities in most toilets
Buggy-friendly route around the garden, quay and towards Cotehele Mill
Play area by the Cherry Orchard and at Cotehele Quay
Children’s menu available within the Barn Restaurant
Pocket money gifts and children’s books available in the shop
Please take extra care around Cotehele Quay, the pond dipping area at the quay and the ponds within the Upper Garden and Valley Garden.

Spooky Scarecrows at Cotehele

Saturday 21 October - Sunday 5 November

This October half-term, head to Cotehele to see how many spooky scarecrows you can find hiding in the garden. Spot the scarecrows made by local schools and community groups and read their stories from local folklore to solve the mystery.

Harvest at Cotehele Mill

Saturday 21 October - Sunday 29 October

Soak in the delights of autumn and celebrate the harvest with crafts activities and local craft makers, autumnal decorations and a harvest celebration table at Cotehele Mill.

Family apple picking in the orchard at Cotehele — Family apple picking in the Mother orchard | © National Trust Images / James Beck

Nature Detectives Trail at Cotehele Mill

Available daily until 29 October

Can you be a nature detective? Head to Cotehele Mill and don your detective hat whilst you look for animal clues and wild wonders. Free trail, normal admission charges apply.

Hidden creatures within the house at Cotehele

Available daily until 29 October

Explore the house and see if you can discover the animals hiding amongst the tapestries, wood carvings and windows. Pick up your trail sheet from the Hall within the house.

Family canoe trips with Canoe Tamar at Cotehele Quay

Booking essential, various dates between April-September

Join the crew from Canoe Tamar for a guided family canoe trip along the River Tamar starting at Cotehele Quay. Visit their website for timetables and booking information. Minimum age is 3 years old.

Family visitors walking in woodland — Family playing in the garden | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Cotehele is the perfect place for ticking off some of your ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾.’ There are plenty of things to try at Cotehele, whatever the weather. Here are just a few:

No. 4 Build a den

Gather large sticks and create a secret hideaway. Our favourite spot for building dens is by the Cherry Orchard play area.

No. 33 Go cloud watching

With imagination you can create whole worlds from the shapes you see in the sky. Any spot at Cotehele is great for doing this, we like lying on the grass slopes by the bowling green.

No. 48 Keep a nature diary

Bring along some scrap paper and colouring pencils and keep a diary of the things you have discovered. What did you touch? What can you hear? Draw the wildlife you spotted on your adventures around Cotehele.