Family-friendly things to do at Lanhydrock

The opening screen of the Stranger Folk app on a phone in a visitor's hand — The opening screen of the Stranger Folk app as it appears on a phone | © National Trust Images/Steve Sayers

Find out about the different things you can do with your family at Lanhydrock, from visiting the refurbished Victorian nursery to exploring the estate by bicycle.

Planning your family visit to Lanhydrock

Free entry for under 5s
Baby changing facilities available
Buggy-friendly route around the garden
Play area at the Hub (next to Park Cafe)
Children's options available at the Park Cafe and Stables tea-room
Pocket money gifts and children's books available in the shop and Plant Centre
Hands-on activities and play along the Family route

Family-friendly events

Go on a quest with the Stranger Folk app this Halloween

Download our new Stranger Folk app and begin an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore. The interactive game features goblins and other creatures who lurk at Lanhydrock.

The app is designed for children aged 7-12 and can be downloaded for free from Apple and Google app stores. We'd encourage you to download the app ahead of your visit, although it can also be downloaded on arrival at the participating house (depending on the Wi-Fi signal).

Families only need one mobile phone to play the game and can work together to heal a rift between the human and spirit worlds. Volume 1, ‘Crone Calling’, starts with a message from a mysterious Old Crone. As the story develops, you can meet sneaky goblins and cunning boggarts, while learning of strange goings-on.

The game can be played at a fast pace for around 20 minutes or you can take the whole day to complete the adventure, pausing for lunch then picking up where you left off.

The Cockleshell Dress

Discover the story behind one of Lanhydrock’s most distinctive costumes. For a limited time, the recently conserved Cockleshell Dress, worn by Mary Vere Agar-Robartes to a New Year’s Eve fancy-dress party in 1899, is on display in the Bay Bedroom. Featured in the National Trust publication 100 Things to Wear.

Plan your visit

A view across parkland to the stone house and church at Lanhydrock, surrounded by autumnal trees — An autumn view of the house and church at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Things for families to do inside the house

Play in the nursery

Lanhydrock’s newly refurbished Victorian nursery invites visitors to interact with a range of items and learn stories about the Agar-Robartes children. From board games and a theatre with props, to Punch the rocking horse, there's lots to get involved with.

Explore the kitchen

How many days did it take a Victorian bread oven to heat up? And how did they keep their clotted cream cold? Find out all about working in a high-tech, 19th-century country house kitchen.

Family and volunteer room guide in the Victorian kitchen at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Things for families to do on the estate

With the Lanhydrock estate covering 900 acres, there are plenty of adventures to be had. Explore the parkland, ancient woodland and riverside walks at your leisure.

Go for a bike ride

Enjoy one of the exciting cycle trails, which are designed for a range of abilities, or burn off some steam around the parkland.

Find out more about cycling at Lanhydrock

Let off some steam in the play area

Next to The Park café, you'll find the children's play area, which is equipped with everything needed to keep kids enthralled.

Play a ball game

If you want to play games then make your way further onto the parkland, where there's plenty of open space to throw a ball, make goal posts with jumpers, or simply spread out your picnic rug.