Discover more at Saltram
Find out when Saltram is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Family-friendly things to do at Saltram
Discover all the things to do with the family on a day out at Saltram. Explore the garden, house or head out on a family adventure around the estate. Find out what events are coming up that have children in mind.
Saltrams Maritime Summer of Play
Ahoy shipmates, are you ready for a fun filled summer of play adventure?!
Saturday 18th July - Sunday 6th September 2026
Head to Saltram for a Summer packed with experiences and activities designed to spark imagination and inspire a maritime adventure.
Whether you’re navigating the treacherous seas, creating your very own flag or stepping into the spotlight for a playful moment of performance, there’s something for every kind of explorer.
They’ll be activities going on each day over the summer so keep an eye out for Saltram’s planner to fill your summer with play.
Admission and parking charges apply to the garden for Summer of Play. NT member free.
Summer activity calendar
Stuck for something to do in the holidays? Pick up our activity calendar from the Welcome Centre to help play your Summer of fun.
Maritime crafts:
Every Monday and Tuesday throughout the holidays - Excluding Monday 31st August 2026.
All hands on deck for a summer full of crafty adventures! Drop anchor into Stable 6 and and make something inspired by the sea. From boats to creatures, theres a new creative voyage awaiting each week. No need to book and no sailors coins needed for these activities. Parking charges apply unless NT member and garden admission applies if you want to enter the Summer of play garden.
Stiltskin Theatre:
Wednesday 29th July, Wednesday 12th August, Wednesday 26th August 2026.
Hoist the sails and join us for a swashbuckling sea adventure with Stiltskin theatres for - 'All at Sea'. Set sail with salty sea dogs Barnabus B and Skipjack T, who will share their stories of fishy adventures with you - the Fishwives of Knorrel Knock, Davey Jones and more.
Showtimes at 11am & 1:30pm, meeting outside the Orangery in the garden. The session will be approximately 45 minutes duration and take a route around the garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Car parking charges. This is a free show, but garden admission prices apply, unless a National Trust member. No booking necessary.
Family Games-days
On selected Thursdays and Fridays throughout the holidays. For full listing, please see the events page of the website.
Join us for a fun-filled session of outdoor games and activities for the whole family. Have a go at tennis, enjoy colourful parachute games, and try a variety of exciting challenges.
Drop in, get active, and make some wonderful summer memories!
Pokémon Battles with Dark Star Gaming
Thursday 3-0th July, Thursday 6th August, Thursday 20th August, Thursday 3rd September 2026.
It's your chance to battle, trade and have fun with Pokémon this Summer.
Join us for exciting Pokemon battle tournaments hosted with Dark Star Gaming. Challenge fellow trainers, and battle for prizes, all in the unique setting of Saltram Orangery. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or battling for fun, or would like to learn to play or trade cards, everyone is welcome.
Battles will be running throughout the day between 11-3 for drop in sessions. Battles might be limited to 20 mins during peak times. Dark Star Gaming are official Pokémon suppliers and will be hosting these battles.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Car parking and garden admission charges apply unless an National Trust member. There are no charges to take part in the battle games.
Wild Wednesdays:
Grab a net, discover fascinating pond creatures, and uncover the hidden world beneath the water. A fun, hands-on nature activity for children and their grown-ups.
Join us on selected Wednesdays throughout the Summer and splash into nature.
Booking is essential for these activities. Please click on the 'Check Availability' button to book your place.
Activities cost £2 per child. No booking required for accompanying adults.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Not suitable for under 5's.
Parking and garden admission charges apply, unless an NT member.
Book Wild Wednesdays here
Manga with Mia - Manga art workshops and create your own mini-comic workshop
Saturday 8th August and Sunday 23rd August 2026
Join artist Mia Pranauskas on a manga art journey this Summer.
Manag art workshops - This 1 hour workshop teaches you step by step how to draw and create a character/figure in the popular Japanese Manga style. By the end of the session, you will have your Manga character drawn in black and white, with the freedom to add colour when you get home. No previous drawing experience is required, this workshop is open to both children 8+ and adults. This session is aimed at those who would like to learn Manga art.
Create your own mini-comic - This workshop will focus on creating your own mini-manga comic. By the end of the hour, you will have created a zine-style mini booklet with step-by step guidance. You will then have the freedom to add to your comic or add more colours when you get home.
This workshop is designed for children 8+ and adults. And you do not need to have previous drawing experience. This workshop is catered to artistic abilities of all levels.
Book make your own comic workshop
Book Manga workshop here
Naturemake
Thursday 13th August, Thursday 27th August
Join Naturemake this Summer and loose yourself in a world imagination and creativity. All workshops have items which are made from natural and foraged materials, allowing you to create miniature figures, woodland creatures, boats and much more.
Booking is essential for this activity. If space becomes available, Naturemake might be able to take walk-in visitors. Book today to avoid any disappointment.
Workshops suitable for children 4+. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the workshop.
Car park and garden admission charges apply unless an NT member.
Book Nature Make sessions here
Sensory backpacks at Saltram
Did you know you can now borrow a sensory backpack from Saltram’s Welcome Centre? Our sensory backpacks are specially designed for children with SEND needs, and they're available at no extra cost for families. Inside, you'll find noise-cancelling headphones, cuddly toys, a torch, and even mini canvases for children to 'paint' as they explore Saltram. We want to make every visit to Saltram more inclusive, engaging and fun. These backpacks hopefully help to create a more interactive and sensory-friendly experience, making every visit more enjoyable, inclusive, and educational.
Planning your family visit to Saltram
- Free entry for under 5s
- Baby-changing facilities in most toilets
- Buggy-friendly routes and paths around the garden and estate walks.
- Play area next to the car park and cafe
- Children’s menu available at the cafe
- Pocket money gifts and children’s books available in the shop
Top things to do in the house
What can we see?
Discover the history of the Parker family and the amazing collection of items and paintings adorning Saltram's show rooms.
Can buggies go into the house?
You can measure the width of your buggy at the Welcome Centre to see if you can bring your buggy into the ground floor of the house. There are some steps leading out through the kitchen, so the volunteers will direct you back along the route to the front door.
Alternatively, you can leave your buggy at the front of the house undercover.
Things to do in the garden and estate
Family friendly estate walks and cycling
Saltram's estate boundary walk is a great way to stretch your legs and walk along our buggy friendly paths towards the woods with views of the estuary.
Why not explore the quieter 'Dell walk' if you would like to venture into the estate a bit further on your adventures.
It's also a great place to bring the bikes and explore! The paths are generally level with some hilly areas for those up for a challenge. There are also dedicated cycle paths and a pump track dedicated to those littler bikers.
A garden for all seasons
The garden is a great place for the family to create lasting memories. Free seasonal garden trails throughout the year get children to connect with nature and the history of Saltram.
The paths are buggy and wheelchair friendly and the borders are bursting with interest and colour all year round.
The garden is the best place to have a picnic and the lawns make a great snack spot but also the perfect place to fly a kite, play and let off some steam.
Eating and drinking at Saltram
The Stables cafe is the perfect place to sit and have some lunch as a family. There is indoor and outdoor seating available, as well as lots of highchairs to use and a baby change within the cafe. The Stables is a perfect family friendly place to visit.
For those who want to continue to explore, there is the option of take away drinks from the trailer cafe in the car park.
In the Spring and Summer, Saltram is perfect for family picnics to. Our favourite spots around the garden include the serpentine lawn or castle folly area.