Family-friendly things to do at Compton Castle

Planning your family visit

If you’re visiting Compton Castle for  a family day out, here’s some handy information at a glance to help your plan your visit:

• Compton Castle is open between April and October, Tuesdays-Thursdays and Bank Holiday Mondays
• If coming by car, please note there is a small car park at Castle Barton Tearoom (opposite the castle)
• Free trails available to pick up in visitor reception
• Medieval costumes to try on in the Old Kitchen
• Pop up talks led by volunteers

 

Castle explorer trails 

Uncover years of history around the garden and castle with two self-led spotter trails, perfect for families.

Inside 

Search inside the rooms from the sub-solar to the 500 year old staircase, spot the coat of arms and see if you can draw your own. You can even join a pop-up talk from one of the Volunteers, or have a go at a Tudor children's game, the cup and ball. 

Outside 

Outside, try and find the different defences that were built and wander through old doors and gates on the self-guided trail. Learn about the herbs that grow in the kitchen garden and what they might be used for, and in the summer there are even traditional gardens games such as skittles or quiots in the inner courtyard to play. 

 

Which kind of Tudor are you? 

There's a range of medieval costumes for kids big and small to try on. Walk the halls of the castle in a dress fit for royalty, or imagine you're running the castle in comfortable garbs. Pop into the Old Kitchen to discover what Tudor you would have been.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾' 

We've put together a list of 50 activities for you to enjoy, from building a den to watching the stars glitter in the night sky. You'll be a seasoned adventurer by the time you've managed to try out all 50 activities. And it doesn't end there. You can enjoy doing our '50 things' again and again, in all seasons. Explore the nooks and crannies of Compton Castle and get really close to nature with some of our top '50 things' to do:

• No. 9 Eat a picnic in the wild: The orchard at Compton Castle is a great spot for a picnic. What can you see and hear around you? 

• No. 48 Keep a nature diary: From the towering walls around Compton Castle to the dark corners inside, there's lots of places where you can sport signs of nature. Start a diary and see what you discover.