Skip to content

Family-friendly things to do at Lanhydrock

Family enjoying an autumn walk across the countryside with trees in the distance at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Take a walk around the Lanhydrock estate and see what you can spot | © National Trust Images/John Millar

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.

Winter closing at Lanhydrock

Please note that the house and gardens at Lanhydrock are currently closed for winter conservation work and will re-open on 1 March.

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

A family playing in the autumn leaves in the woodland at Castle Ward, County Down 1282485
Family fun at Lanhydrock | © 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.

Don’t have a bike? No problem – you can hire one from our cycle hire team. You’ll find them at the Hub.

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.

Take a stroll

Wander the parkland via one of the many suggested walking routes – ask one of the team for a leaflet.

Can you find the old Victorian swimming pool that was used by the Agar-Robartes children? It's a great place to spot wildlife. 

Cows picnic too

Be aware that cattle and sheep graze in the parkland at various times throughout the year.

Child on the cycle trail at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Lanhydrock's cycle trails cater to a range of abilities | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

  • No. 18 Create some wild art: Forage in the woods for some quirky craft materials. What will you create?
  • No. 31 Make friends with a bug: The garden is the perfect habitat for all kinds of creepy crawlies – come and explore under rocks and in trees. There are plenty of butterflies, caterpillars, beetles and spiders for you to spot all over the estate
  • No. 44 Watch a bird: The estate is alive with birds all year round
Family and volunteer room guide in the Victorian kitchen at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Family and volunteer room guide in the Victorian kitchen at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

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.

Meet the Victorian staff

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the open season come and meet the Victorian staff including the butler, housemaids, gardeners and Mrs Candy the cook, all brought to life by Lanhydrock's team of Experience Makers.

Family visitors walking in the garden at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Discover more at Lanhydrock

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

You might also be interested in

A family walking their dogs in the park at Erddig, Wrexham, Wales
Article
Article

Visiting the estate at Lanhydrock 

There are lots of things to look out for while exploring the outdoors, from a wide variety of wildlife species to the hidden history of the Lanhydrock estate. Here, we round up some of the things you can expect to see.

Child on the cycle trail at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Activity
Activity

Outdoor activities at Lanhydrock 

Find out how to take part in outdoor activities across the Lanhydrock estate, from cycling and running to horse riding and fishing.

Two children sitting on a sofa eating shortbread biscuits in the café at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Lanhydrock 

Find out where to stop for food and drink on the Lanhydrock estate, along with the best places to shop for souvenirs and gifts.

Dog walkers at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Article
Article

Visiting Lanhydrock with your dog 

Find out where you can take your dogs at Lanhydrock. Lanhydrock is a three pawprint rated place.

Children playing in the woodlands at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ 

Fancy running free in the fresh air, learning new skills and trying new things? Grab your gear and start your adventure.

Family playing with autumn leaves in the garden at Osterley Park, London, with the house in the background

Family-friendly places to visit 

Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer at the places in our care.

A child explores the outdoors with their family in autumn

Family-friendly places around Cornwall 

With long stretching beaches, exotic gardens and historic houses in Cornwall, there are lots of places to explore and visit for family fun.