Family-friendly things to do at Arlington Court

A family walk along a path, shaded by trees at Arlington Court — Springtime family adventures at Arlington Court | © Chris Lacey

A day spent at Arlington is a day full of family fun; there's always something to keep your little ones occupied. It doesn't have to be school holidays to come and have fun at Arlington.

What's on this Winter at Arlington Court?

Get out and about this winter at Arlington Court. From Christmas tree trails to scrumptious tea-room treats, there is something for everyone. For full details of what’s on please visit our events page here.

Some of our top things to see and do this festive season include:

200 Christmas trees family trail, Nov 18 – 17 Dec, Sat - Mon 10am - 4pm, 18th Dec - 31st Dec daily 10am - 3pm:
Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception to discover our favourite trees from our ‘200 trees for 200 years project’. Normal addmission applies.

A Victorian Christmas evening, 7th and 14th of December (2pm – 7pm): Come and explore Arlington House during our Christmas open evenings. Decorated in all the splendour of a Victorian Christmas, step back in time while exploring the luxurious rooms after dark. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £4 for children, free entry to National Trust members. Booking not required.

Christmas Carol Walk, 18 Nov - 31 Dec: Wrap up warm and journey around the lake walk on the wider estate to find the giant ’12 days of Christmas’ baubles. This free trail is the perfect Christmas adventure.

Please note: The wider estate is always free to explore. Park in the main carpark and head down the road to the Heron Gate entrance (large white gates with herons on top). From here you can follow the 1.5-mile circular path around the lake walk.

Out and about at Arlington Court

With over 20 miles of walkways, bridleways and cycle routes through woodlands, along streams and across farmland to explore, there's plenty of family fun to be had outdoors. Look carefully and you might even spot a deer.

This Autumn we recommend following one of our walks which provides the perfect opportuntiy for taking in the changing colours.

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

Family walking on the estate at Arlington Court, Devon. — Family walking on the estate at Arlington Court, | © National Trust Images/John Millar

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lot of '50 things' activities you can do with the family this spring. 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?

Check out some of our top 50 things to do this this spring.

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