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Family-friendly things to do at Knightshayes

Family of four walking on a grass footpath at Knightshayes
Family in formal gardens at Knightshayes | © National Trust/Chris Lacey

Adventures for all ages can be found at Knightshayes. Explore the woods, tick off some of your '50 things before you're 11 3/4' or pick up one of our seasonal trails. What will your adventure be?

Planning your family visit

  • Baby-changing facilities availble at the stables and house forecourt toilets
  • Children's lunch boxes and highchairs available in the cafe
  • Children's play area in Douglas fir walk
  • Ball games welcome in the parkland away from buildings
  • Small children's balance bikes are welcome but unfortunately scooters and pedal bikes are not permitted in the gardens

Family-friendly events

Autumn Spotter Trail

11 September - 5 November

Pick up an Autumn Spotter Trail and go on an adventure around the gardens and parkland. See if you can find all of the colours on our Autumn colour wheel, and match the leaves you find to your handy Autumn leaves guide.

Two children carry pumpkins through a walled garden, next to flowerbeds with autumn colour
Autumn in the walled garden at Knightshayes, Devon | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Family-friendly things to do in the house

There is lots to inspire the imagination inside the house, from tortouise shell cats to colourful ceilings.

Discover more with a safari trail round the house. Ask at the entrance to the house for your copy.

Useful things to know when visiting the house

  • Due to limited space and the delicate nature of the collection, pushchairs will need to be left outside and large rucksacks or bags will need to be left at the entrance.
  • The nearest toilets are across the house forecourt

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

Pick up your seasonal trail from visitor reception and explore the gardens and parkland. Bringing a picnic? Holly's lawn or the South Garden are great places to spread out.

Useful things to know when visiting the gardens

  • We have a large number of delicate plants and trees in the garden. Please, no climbing.
  • Ball games, bicycles and scooters are welcome in the Parkland only.

father and son playing chess in the Cedar house at Knightshayes
Family playing chess at Knightshayes | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Family-friendly things to do out in the parkland

From woodland walking to insect hunting and ticking of some of the '50 things to do before 113/4', the parkland is the place to be. There are over 200 acres to explore, with some of the best views in Mid-Devon.

Useful things to know when visiting the parkland

  • Paths are uneven and there are a number of steep places.
  • Make sure you have sturdy footwear or wellies with you, as the park can be muddy all year
  • Stables toilets are locked at 4:50pm.
  • The fields at Knightshayes are home to exmoor sheep

50 things before you're 113/4

Get outdoors and closer to nature with the '50 things before you're 113/4'. Below are just a few of the '50 things' you can do at Knightshayes.

No.1 Get to Know a tree
The parkland is a great place to explore different trees. Pick up your copy of our veteran and champion tree walk from visitor reception and compare the trees you see.Discover trees
No.28 Climb a huge
There are plenty of hills across Knightshayes to explore. Bring your wellies as it is often muddy.Discover more
No.33 Go cloud watching
Is it ship, is it a whale? What shapes can you see? Head to Holly's lawn in the woodland garden or the Ha Ha lawn in front of the house for the best places to spot cloudsGo Cloud watching
No.44 Watch a bird
Winter and early spring are the best time to see birds, before the trees have their leaves. We have plenty of your favourite garden birds at Knightshayes, and if you're lucky you may even spot a Treecreeper or Goldcrest.Watch a bird