Family-friendly things to do at Arlington Court

A family walking in woodland at Arlington Court, Devon | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

A day out at Arlington Court is packed with family adventures. From giant games and woodland walks to creative workshops, theatre shows and wildlife discoveries, there's something happening all summer long.

Summer of Play

Big adventures in the Field of Play

Our Summer of Play is back with more activities than ever before! Climb, build, balance and explore with activities including:

Archery
Giant slingshots
Den building
Climbing wall
Lawn games
Water play
Sand pit and giant building blocks
Bikes, trikes and mini tractors
Tennis on the lawn
And a Hobby horse showjumping course at the Carriage Museum

There are plenty of shady picnic spots and seating, refreshments are available from the nearby café, and lots of space to let imaginations run wild.

Normal admission applies. Free for National Trust members.

Summer holiday events

There's something different happening almost every week during the school holidays.

Nature Journalling with Katherine O'Shea
Fri 24 Jul & 14 Aug, 11am–3.30pm
Create your own beautiful nature journal using leaves, collage, drawing, writing and even Katherine's vintage typewriter. Drop in throughout the day and make something completely unique.

Drop in • All ages • Included with admission

Storytelling on the Lawn
29 Jul, 12 & 26 Aug, 11am–3pm
Grab a cushion and settle down for magical nature stories with Neil. Perfect for children aged 2–10, with sessions running throughout the day.

Drop in • Included with admission

Forest School with Ranger Maia
Thurs 30 Jul, Wed 19 & Thurs 20 Aug, 11am, 1pm & 2pm
Join Ranger Maia for forest school adventures including bug hunting, crafts, fire lighting and marshmallow toasting. Activities vary depending on the weather and the group.

£2 per child, pre-booking essential: Booking here
Three sessions daily (11am, 1pm & 2pm).

Minibeast BioBlitz
Mon 17 Aug, 10.30 am–3.30pm

Become a wildlife explorer for the day. Help our rangers search for butterflies, bumblebees and riverflies through:

Pond dipping
Riverfly surveys (10.30am – 12.30pm)
Bumblebee walk (1pm, meeting by the pond)
Butterfly identification walk (2pm, meeting by the pont)
Nature crafts

No experience needed - just sharp eyes and lots of curiosity.

Drop in • Included with admission

Family Butterfly Walk
Mon 24 Aug, 1pm
Join Ranger Ellie for a family-friendly butterfly spotting walk and discover how to identify the colourful species living around Arlington.

Drop in • Included with admission

Family Cyanotype Workshop
Fri 21 Aug, 10am–3pm
Discover the fascinating early photography process used by Arlington's last resident, Rosalie Chichester. Using sunshine to create beautiful blue prints, local artist Stephen Raff will help you create your own unique artwork to take home.

Drop in • Included with admission

Have a Go Archery
Sat 22, Sun 23 & Tues 25 Aug, 11am–3pm
Join the Exmoor Archers and discover your inner Robin Hood. Learn how to hold, aim and shoot a beginner recurve bow under expert guidance. Suitable for everyone aged 6+.

Drop in • Included with admission

Theatre at Arlington Court

Join us on the lawn in front of the house for these family friendly theatre performances.

The Pirates of Penzance by Illyria - 21 July
Find out more and book here

Treasure Island by Quantum Theatre Presents - 12 August
Find out more and book here

The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny by Quantum Theatre - 19 August
Find out more and book here

A girl play on balance posts and a father and son playing on a toy digger — Children enjoying the play areas at Arlington Court | © Ellie McCarthy

Out and about at Arlington Court

When you've finished playing, there's still plenty to discover.

Explore more than 20 miles of walking, cycling and bridleway routes through ancient woodland, alongside streams and across rolling parkland. Keep your eyes peeled - you might even spot one of Arlington's resident deer.

Outdoor play

Little adventurers can enjoy our year-round natural play areas featuring:

Mud kitchen
Sit-on diggers
Balance beams
Log stack climber
Willow domes
Climbing bars
Plenty of places to build, balance and imagine

Discover Arlingtons walks here: Walking at Arlington Court | Devon | National Trust

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lot of '50 things' activities you can do with the family at this time of year. How about a wintery adventure full of fun and discovery? Or maybe you could get to know a tree, appreciate the shape of their branches and the caverns that animals can hide in?

There are many more '50 things to do before you're 11¾', you can find the full list here: 50 things to do before you're 11¾ | Visit | National Trust Although many of them can be completed in the countryside, there are also lots of things to do at the coast, perhaps Woolacombe or Croyde or maybe even Heddons Mouth. Why not make a nature diary and write about or draw all the things you see and do over the winter, another '50 things' activity.

Help us care for nature at Arlington Court

Please respect our trees, wildlife and other visitors to the site. The woods are full of special trees and wildlife. Protect them by only playing with items from the ground; if it’s still attached to the tree, it still needs it!

The fresh air at Arlington encourages the growth of many rare lichens on our trees. To help them grow and to create homes for bugs we leave fallen logs across the estate. Take care not to disturb these too much when hunting for creepy crawlies.

The boring bit for adults

Children must be supervised at all times.
The lake is full of mud which acts like quicksand, please keep children and dogs away.
Cattle may be grazing in the parkland, please keep dogs on a lead and pick up after them - dog bins are found just outside the carriage museum and behind the visitor reception building, next to the building compound.
There are two small ponds in the formal gardens and a larger pond in the pleasure grounds.
If you need any help during or planning your visit, the property team can be reached on 01271 851101 or 01271 851116 between 10am and 4pm.

Family walking in the grounds of Arlington Court with two dogs — Exploring the grounds at Arlington Court, Devon | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Dogs at Arlington

The Chichesters, who owned Arlington Court for 11 generations, were a family of dog lovers, proven by a memorial at the back of the house. Today dogs on leads are still welcome in the grounds, formal gardens and carriage museum when open.

Find your favourite walk: Walking at Arlington Court | Devon | National Trust