Family-friendly things to do at Coleton Fishacre

Boy amongst giant bamboo in the garden at Coleton Fishacre, Devon — Enjoy family days out at Coleton Fishacre | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Have a family adventure at Coleton Fishacre whatever the season. Discover a host of family-friendly activities to take part in, from outdoor challenges to garden trails and more.

Planning your family visit

Here is the information you need at a glance to help plan your next day out to Coleton Fishacre:

Free garden trails available to pick up in visitor reception
Baby-changing facilities are available in access-friendly toilets
Buggy friendly routes are available around the garden
Hip-carrying infant seats available for loan in the house
Children’s menu available from Café Coleton
Pocket money gifts and children’s books available in the shop.

Coming up

Autumn adverntures will soon be here and there's tons of fun to be had at Coleton Fishacre. Whether it's exploring the garden and spotting signs of the changing season to discovering how the team looks after the house or finding a new bedtime read in the second-hand bookshop, there's fun rain or shine.

A parent and two young children play with sticks and autumn leaves. — Autumn exploring in the garden | © National Trust Images/Alana Wright

Barn owl talk

Weds 30 October, 11am-1pm

Join the Barn Owl Trust to learn about their habitats, what they eat and how to do an owl pellet analysis. Discover how the Barn Owl Trust care for local owls and find out some fascinating facts on these nocturnal mammals.

Christmas at Coleton Fishacre

Weekends from 23 November - 15 December and daily from 18 - 31 December (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

Gather loved ones for a festive day out as the house is trimmed for a traditional Christmas and join in the fun on a magical outdoor trail.

Two adults and a child walking down a stairwell with wooden banisters and red carpet at Coleton Fishacre. — Visitors on the stairwell at Coleton Fishacre | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

The garden has lots of paths and hills to explore. Can you follow the winding path up to the summerhouse? Try to count the steps as you go and see if you're right when you reach the top.

Get closer to nature

From designing your own natural colour palette or spotting the signs of nature in the garden, the outdoor trails are free and a great way to keep minds occupied while exploring the garden. You can pick these up and a pencil from visitor reception on arrival.

Family friendly things to do in the house

Inside the house, pick up a free trail and notice elements on nature in the art deco interior. Look for floral shapes and patterns in the collection, or spot colours and materials in the furniture. Clipboards and pencils are available with the trail at the house entrance. Don’t forget, you can claim a sticker at visitor reception for completing any of the trails.

Looking for a quiet spot?

If you need to take five somewhere a little quieter, there's plenty of spots dotted around the garden. Wander along the path to the left of the house for the wildflower meadow, across the Rill Garden to the slopes opposite the house or down through the garden to the glades.

Afternoons are normally less busy than mornings, so if you prefer fewer people around, try and visit after 2pm.