Family-friendly things to do at Kingston Lacy

What's coming up in April and May?

Kingston Lacy's rare breed Portland sheep will be lambing soon, and the delightful russet-brown lambs jumping for joy in the parkland surrounding the house. Drop in on 18 and 19 April at 11am to meet one of our farmers, discover the part played by sheep in our conservation work and meet one of the lambs.

Who doesn't love a tractor-trailer ride? Not just for children! Take a ride out across the parkland to meet the beautiful Red Devon cows and find out why we think of them as part of the collection. The one-hour rides are at midday and 2pm on 30 May, 1 and 29 August; booking's essential, with tickets from £5, so click the Events link below to find out more. 

May half term

Get the family out on the trail with one of our nature walks (and so much more). Our experts will help all ages discover the natural world around them, with different walks tailored for children from aged 2 to 12. There's no booking needed, just pick up your ticket at reception on the day. Tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis and cost £3 per child. Normal admission applies. 

Is it summer yet?

It will be soon! We're planning already, and will be turning the Kitchen Garden into a giant play park. There'll be games, activities, adventures and plenty of ways to keep your little ones busy from mid July right through till September. There's no charge (normal admission applies) and no time limit, so you can stay and play all day long.

With the permanent play area and a kiosk selling hot and cold drinks and light refreshments, as well as plenty of space to bring your own picnic, you'll find everything you need for a summer jam-packed with fun.

Illyria presents: Pinocchio

The ever-popular Illyria returns to Kingston Lacy on on 7 August, with an outdoor musical performance of Pinocchio. This timeless family classic is the story of a wooden puppet that runs away, hoping to find fun and adventure, but instead finds demanding bosses, con-artists and peer-pressure. Bombarded by money, games and other attention-grabbing attractions, how can Pinocchio ever become a real boy when even lies told to cover up awkward truths are as plain as the nose on his face?

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket, and come along to a magical evening of entertainment. Booking essential, tickets from £12. 

Planning your family-friendly visit to Kingston Lacy 

• Free entry for under 5s.
• Baby-changing facilities in access-friendly toilets.
• Quiet room for those looking for a moment of calm
• Play areas on the Woodland Trail and in the Kitchen Garden.
• Children’s menu available from the Stables Café.
• Pocket money gifts and children's books available in the shop.
• Buggy-friendly route around the Woodland Trail.
• Buggy store near the second-hand bookshop (buggies are not allowed in the house).

Play areas at Kingston Lacy

Set your little explorers free at our two play areas. Scramble, clamber and slide in the Woodland Trail play area, where the equipment might be a castle, a ship or a fort – let your imagination decide! You can build your own den or trace the finger maze or stroke the wooden animals; the equipment encourages children to connect with nature. Then hop over to the Kitchen Garden, where the play area takes inspiration from its surroundings for younger children; you can take a ride on a wooden cow, plant wooden veg in the mini greenhouse and relax on the buddy swing, suitable for even the smallest babies.

Looking for quiet spaces?

If you and your little ones need a moment of calm, there are lots of corners at Kingston Lacy to chill out. In Laundry Courtyard there is a quiet room in the family-friendly toilets, with comfortable seating and some sensory toys.

The Fernery is usually a good bet for a quiet space outdoors, and there are benches where you can sit and listen to the sound of the fountain. Every Wednesday during the warmer months (usually April till the end of October), the Acer Glade is a dedicated Silent Space from 2pm, where both adults and children have the chance to stop and connect with the nature around them.

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

Coming with a buggy?

Most of Kingston Lacy's paths are easily navigated with a buggy, even the trail that runs right round the parkland. Many of the paths are wide enough for you and a friend as well.

There are family-friendly toilets in Laundry Courtyard, large enough to take a buggy, with baby-changing facilities.  

If you'd prefer to leave your buggy while you visit, there is a buggy store near the second-hand bookshop in Laundry Courtyard. There are free lockers there as well, if you want to leave a picnic or anything else bulky while you explore. Ask at reception when you arrive and our staff will direct you to the right place; it's also shown on the Welcome leaflet, which you can pick up at reception. 

We're sorry, but buggies are not allowed in the house. The buggy store is close to the entrance so there's not far for little legs to travel.

Food and drink

You'll find lots of options for children at the Stables cafe, where there's a special children's lunch box, as well as other treats. Highchairs are available, which you can usually find in a corner of the cafe but please ask our staff if you don't see one. 

You can also find a drinks and snacks trailer in the Kitchen Garden; we sometimes have to close this due to staffing pressures, so check at reception whether it is open on the day you visit.

Breastfeeding?

We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Kingston Lacy, including the Stables cafe. Please ask if you would like hot water to make up a bottle. You can also visit the quiet room in Laundry Courtyard, which has comfortable seating for those that would prefer some privacy. 

Things to do in the garden

Kingston Lacy's South Lawn is the perfect place to spread out a rug in the summer. Bring a picnic or pick up your favourite treats from the Stables cafe. Don't forget the frisbee or tennis ball – but take care, there could be other people snoozing in the deck chairs! We're sorry, but dogs are not allowed on South Lawn. 

See if you can find the owls in the Fernery, the sundial on the path to Lime Avenue and the obelisk hidden in Blind Walk.

If you've brought your four-legged friend, head out on the Woodland Walk or into the parkland instead. There are picnic benches available at the play area in the Woodland Walk.

The woods are filled with wild flowers and birds, so you can check off a few of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' (see below if you need some more inspiration). Head to the Kitchen Garden to find a bird-feeder station, where there's a bench for you to sit quietly and watch blue tits, finches and robins.

Don't forget to go exploring on the Woodland trail round the parkland – it's perfect for a cycle ride as well as a longer walk.

Things to do in the house

Kingston Lacy is a very special family home, full of extraordinary stories and amazing things. Ask for the children's trail booklet at the entrance hall, which will help you spot some of the most interesting objects. How many different animals and birds will you be able to see in all the paintings? 

What if it's raining?

There's still plenty to do at Kingston Lacy, even in the rain. If you're short of ideas, check out our list of '50 Things to do before you're 11¾' – lots of them are just as good if the weather's not what you planned. 

Paths throughout the garden and parkland are hard surfaces so you'll still be able to run and cycle (but look out for a puddle to jump in if you're wearing wellies).

Inside the house

There's so much for children to see, from a footstool shaped like a tortoise to a bed decorated with bats. The room guides have lots of stories to share, from Brave Dame Mary's spirited defence of Corfe Castle to Henrietta Bankes' parties for royalty. Ask in the hall for a booklet that will help you spot some of the fascinating objects and stories in this family home. 

Out in the garden

The Fernery and the Woodland provide some shelter from the rain in summer, when the trees are in leaf. Find a seat and listen to the rain pattering through the leaves; if you sit quietly you may or see hear birds – they often sing in the rain. 

There are two shelters in the Japanese Garden that will give you some cover and enough space to eat your picnic, or if you're in the Kitchen Garden head for the bothies, where you can discover what it was like to be a Victorian gardener at Kingston Lacy. 

Don't forget the cafe, shop and bookshop

The Stables cafe has lots of indoor seating, as well as plenty of yummy food and drink for adults and children alike; it's a great place to dry out.

You can while away a brief shower in the shop or second-hand bookshop, both found in Laundry Courtyard. The bookshop also sells jigsaws, if the weather looks like it's set in and you'll need something to entertain you once you get home.