Family-friendly things to do at Trerice

Visitors sit while children play outside in the garden with Trerice, Cornwall in the background — Enjoying the garden above Trerice, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / John Millar

From enjoying some fresh air and outdoor games around the garden to discovering something new in the house, there are lots of activities for families to create their own adventures at Trerice. Find out what's on offer and all the details you need to plan your visit.

Planning your family visit

Baby-changing and feeding facilities available
Pushchairs and buggies may encounter steps. A step-free map is available on request
Lockers are available for food, drink and large bags while you visit the house
Children should be supervised at all times.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

Halloween fun during October half term

Pass through the witch's lair in reception and have a go at making your own potions in the garden. Listen to spooky stories in the house and try some tasty apples.

A game of Cornish kayles or brass rubbing

On the kayling lawn try your hand at Cornish kayles (a variation of skittles) or play quoits and 'slapcock' (an early variation of badminton) on the parade ground.

Head to the hayloft where you can make a nature-themed brass rubbing, or maybe try one of the Arundell family who lived here many years ago.

Tudor costumes and games in the hayloft

There are lots of different Tudor-inspired costumes in the hayloft that have been handmade by the volunteer costume group. Bring history to life by trying on different outfits; there's something for everyone. There is also a variety of Tudor games to have a go at as well.

Child playing a traditional game of Kayling, a sort of garden skittles, at Trerice, Cornwall. — Child playing a traditional game of Kayling, a sort of garden skittles | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Family-friendly things to see in the house

Shapes in the ceilings

The grand plaster ceiling at Trerice was the inspiration for the knot garden – look up in the Great Chamber and see if you can find the shapes that inspired the garden team.

Mermaids in the bathroom

The wallpaper in the bathroom is designed to look like tiles – see how many mermaids you can find amongst the fish and seahorses.

Cornish kayles

You can play with a replica of these traditional gaming items on the kayling lawn in the garden.

Info sheets for young and older children

Keep an eye out for the ‘Discover’ sheets around the house with information for older children about the building and its history as well as things to spot in each room for younger ones.

Hidden mice

Can you spot the little mice hidden in each room of the house? They are handmade by our volunteer costume group and tend to move around!

A family tries on Tudor-inspired costumes in the Hayloft at Trerice, Cornwall — A family trying on Tudor-inspired costumes at Trerice, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/ John Millar

'50 things to do before you're 11¾' at Trerice

Trerice is a great place to tick off some of your '50 things' activities – you can pick up a guide from the team in reception.

Our top three '50 things' activities to tick off at Trerice are:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: Take a close look at the trees surrounding the garden and near the summerhouse
No. 30 Go on a scavenger hunt: Search around the garden looking for nuts, seeds, pinecones, leaves, and sticks. With your findings see if you can tell a story about your visit to Trerice or maybe you could create some wild art with your collection?
No. 48 Keep a nature diary: As you explore the garden, keep a diary of all the different kinds of things you see, from birds and bugs to flowers, trees and interesting leaves. You don’t even need to write anything - you could take photos of the nature you find instead.

A group stand outside while children play in the garden to the east front of Trerice, Cornwall

Discover more at Trerice

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

Plan your visit

A close up view of the Dutch gables featured on the manor house, Trerice, Cornwall

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Visiting the house at Trerice

Explore inside the house to see decorative plasterwork and collection items including a large table, Cornish paintings and a 300-year-old clock.

Sunny view, framed by leafless trees, of a manor house with lawns and formal flower borders

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Things to see in the garden at Trerice

Explore an Elizabethan-inspired knot garden and an orchard full of Cornish apple varieties. It’s a great place to spot wildlife.

Two visitors sat eating sandwiches outside the cafe at Gibside Tyne & Wear.

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Eating and shopping at Trerice

Find out where to grab some refreshments, and buy gifts and souvenirs during your visit to Trerice.

A man and child explore the ruins of Fountains Abbey. The man is holding the little girl as they look up at the stone walls of the abbey.

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A child explores the outdoors with their family in autumn

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

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.

Visitors walking towards the east front of Trerice, Cornwall.

Cornwall Explorer Pass

Not a member? We’re part of a new money saving Explorer Pass which gives unlimited entry to National Trust places Cotehele, Lanhydrock, Trerice and Trelissick for up to 14 days. The passes are available to buy at our Visitor Welcome Centre, just ask on arrival and we’ll be happy to help you. £30 for an individual, £45 for a one adult family pass and £75 for a two adult family pass. T&Cs apply.