Family days out in London and the South East

A family looking at flowers in October at Morden Hall Park, London. — A family looking at flowers in early autumn at Morden Hall Park, London | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Looking for something to do with the kids? Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in London and the South East and enjoy great days out all year round.

Explore buggy-friendly walking routes, climb into treehouses, and follow imaginative story trails designed to spark young minds. Refuel with delicious children’s menus at our cafés, perfect for keeping energy levels high for a full day of outdoor fun.

When the weather turns, step inside our grand historic houses and uncover the fascinating stories, secrets and treasures of the past—ideal for rainy day activities with kids in the South East.

Plan your summer holiday days out and join us for a packed programme of family-friendly events, seasonal trails and outdoor adventures across the South East.

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire

Unleash your energy on a Pokémon adventure, celebrating the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series. Are you ready for a mega adventure? Until September 6 2026.

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Calling Pokémon fans new and old! Team up to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges. Until September 5 2026.

Adult and child jumping together on a pink background with the words “Unleash your Energy"

Discover trails featuring your favourite storybook characters

Three Cheers for Pooh! Centenary Exhibition and Story Trail at Nymans, Sussex

Extracts from A.A. Milne's much loved Winnie-the-Pooh stories are paired with E.H. Shepard's iconic illustrations in a fun, family friendly story trail in the garden, together with a gallery exhibition that spotlights some of Pooh's best- known adventures. Until 28 June 2026.

Winnie the Pooh illustration by E.H. Shepard.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Join us at Polesden Lacey for one of nature's greatest transformations as you become the world's most famous caterpillar from Eric Carle's best-selling book The Very Hungry Caterpillar™. Until 5 July 2026.

Moomins at Hatchlands Park, Surrey

Explore Hatchlands Park on a magical Moomin-inspired adventure. This family trail winds through the garden, inviting children and grown-ups alike to meet familiar characters from the Moomin stories as they journey through a world inspired by Moominvalley. Until 5 July 2025.

Four cartoon Moomin line drawing characters walking to wards the left of the picture on a yellow and blue background.

'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through this sensory trail as you search for the bear. On Mondays in June (10am-12pm), little ones can make their own bear masks and take part in collaborative crafts that build the story scene by scene. Each week focuses on a different part of the tale, so there’s always something new to discover. Until 5 July 2026.

'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' at The Vyne, Hampshire

Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through this new sensory trail as you search for the bear. Until 28 June 2026.

How to Train Your Dragon: How to be a Pirate trail at Bodiam Castle, Sussex

Set off on a swashbuckling adventure with young Viking Hiccup and his dragon Toothless as they take on the Pirate Training Programme. Grab a treasure map, rally your crew, pick your dragon, and set sail on an action-packed adventure trail bursting with pirate‑themed challenges and mischief. Until 5 September 2026, £3.50 with normal admission.

How to Train Your Dragon: How to be a Pirate trail book cover

Best outdoor sculpture parks and art trails for kids

Art without the “don’t touch” feeling. Wander through open gardens transformed by striking sculpture, where creativity sits naturally in the landscape. Wide lawns and winding paths give children space to run, play and explore at their own pace—turning every visit into an adventure. Along the way, thought‑provoking pieces invite adults to pause, reflect and reconnect with creativity in the fresh air. Be inspired together, with room to move, think and simply enjoy the outdoors.

White Cube at Claydon

Step into a world of bold, surprising art at Claydon House, where striking installations fill grand rooms and hidden gardens. It's a fun, eye-opening adventure for families to explore, discover art. 6 June - 14 September 2026.

Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain by Felicity Aylieff

Wander through towering blue sculptures at Petworth. It's a playful, eye-catching experience that invites families to explore art in a completely different way. 23 May - 27 September 2026.

Two visitors walking past giant blue and white ceramic monoliths from the Expressions in Blue exhibition, in Petworth House's parkland with house in background.

Sculpture in the Garden at Greys Court, Oxfordshire

Explore sculptures throughout the gardens at Greys Court—perfect for a relaxed, creative family stroll with plenty to spot along the way. 13 June - 12 July 2026.

Original Sculpture "Stag" by Darren Greenhow previously exhibited at Greys Court (Oxford Sculptor Group)

Summer of Play

This year, we’re celebrating play in all its forms. Summer of Play is packed with experiences and activities designed to spark imagination and inspire adventure. Whether you’re exploring nature, getting creative with hands-on crafts or stepping into the spotlight for a playful moment of performance, there’s something for every kind of explorer. Discover what's happening near you.

Outdoor theatre and cinema for families this summer in the south east.

Enjoy magical days and evening under open skies with family-friendly outdoor theatre and cinema in the South East. National Trust places offer unforgettable outdoor events for families in beautiful gardens, parklands and historic settings. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and relax in some of the South East's most stunning locations.

Find your local family days out in London and the South East

Hampshire: Treat the whole family to a fun-filled day out at our places in Hampshire. Discover a mansion house surrounded by babbling brooks perfect for playing pooh sticks at Mottisfont, or explore a Tudor house turned family home at The Vyne where your little ones can explore the outdoors in a natural play area created especially for younger children. If you're feeling adventurous, pull on your wellies and head out for a walk on the Hinton Ampner estate.Enjoy a family day out in Hampshire
Kent: Explore a medieval deer park, moated manor house, fairy-tale castle and more on a family day out in Kent. There’s all sorts of fun to be had, from playing in acres of gardens and parkland to spotting fish at Ightham Mote. Children can climb the two-storey treehouse and enjoy the brick built play house at Chartwell, reach new heights on the swings at Emmetts Garden and have fun in the Badger and Pepper play area at Scotney Castle, complete with mud kitchen, play house, toddler swing and a natural drum kit.Plan your visit
Surrey: Discover the best places to visit with your family around Surrey, home to an Edwardian party house, the Surrey Hills and a classic landscape garden. Children can enjoy the adventure playground at Polesden Lacey or the natural play areas at Hatchlands Park this spring.Enjoy a family day out in Surrey
Sussex: Enjoy a family day out this autumn in Sussex. You can stroll along buggy friendly paths at Nymans to discover a Play Glade complete with mud kitchens, games and even a mini stage to let children's imaginations run wild. Wander through the Capability Brown designed landscape at Petworth, or step back to medieval times at Bodiam Castle where families can climb the steep towers, walk across the battlements, find the gun loops and spot 50-year old carp swimming in the castle moat.Plan your visit
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire: Explore a world of lakes, hidden woods, enormous temples and twisted trees as you play and have fun on a family adventure at Stowe. Or head to the wild play trail at Basildon Park where little explorers can get adventurous on the balance beam, jump on the hopscotch and play with the ball run - there’s also plenty of space for some den building too. There's a natural play area at Hughenden and a woodland playground at Waddesdon, as well as plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature on a family walk at Cliveden and Greys Court.Find out more
London: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and make memories to treasure on a family day out to National Trust places in and around London. There’s plenty to do, from a family bike ride and den building at Osterley, to a game of hide and seek at Ham House where over a mile of hornbeam hedge swirls around in an intricate geometric pattern.Plan your family day out in London