Family days out in the South West

Family with dog on lead walking along the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon — A family walking along the River Lyd at Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust/Dianne Giles

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

Plan your next family adventure and discover special places across the South West, from enchanting castles to a Bear’s Hut and an island filled with wildlife. Let off steam in the thousands of acres of woodland and parkland, before finding the perfect picnic spot for a well-earned rest. With buggy friendly routes, children’s menus and nature-inspired trails, there’s lots to keep the family entertained. On rainy days, or on the days when you're craving some shade, you can retreat inside the magnificent houses and explore the histories of the families that once lived there.

Play on repeat this summer. Take part in a race or game of tennis, follow a nature trail, get stuck into arts and crafts workshops, or dress up to perform for your friends and family. Why not enjoy an ice cream from one of our cafes, or relax at a shady picnic spot a garden. Put your sun hat on and come and make the most of being outdoors this summer.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Family Exploring the Garden at Snowshill

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Summer at Snowshill Manor

Explore the theatrical world of Charles Wade through his costume collection, dress up in 18th-century costume and take a photo, and enjoy vintage lawn games

Children playing with garden games at Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire.

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Summer at Chedworth Roman Villa

Play like a Roman as you challenge your family to board games, get creative replicating ancient mosaic making techniques, and test your strength with games that kept the Romans strong

Family-friendly adventures in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Gardens, family trails and winding walks await in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Plan your day out for a memorable visit that the whole family will enjoy.

Two adults and a child walk down a path towards the house at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire

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Summer at Dyrham Park

Get crafty in art sessions, perform with puppets and props on the mini stage, and join the nature explorer trails

Visitors walking in the garden in August at Tyntesfield, Somerset

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Summer at Tyntesfield

Pack your imaginary suitcase and get ready to travel to globe, Around the World in 80 Plays. Each fortnight brings a new region to explore

Visitors walking on the main drive at Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire

Family-friendly adventures in Bath and Bristol

Discover the best places to explore as a family in Bath and Bristol this season. Plan your days out for a memorable visit that the whole family will enjoy.

Family exploring the garden at Stourhead, Wiltshire

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Summer at Stourhead

Scramble up the mighty straw castle, aim for gold at the archery range, and race through the meadow maze to find the hidden camp

Two adults and two children make their way through the gate at Avebury, Wiltshire

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Summer at Avebury

Create a story in the puppet theatre, let your imagination run wild in the craft area, and relax with a picnic in the Church Garden

A family looking out over the lake with the Pantheon in the distance at Stourhead, Wiltshire

Family-friendly adventures in Wiltshire

Ancient landscapes, world-famous gardens and outdoor adventures await in Wiltshire.

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Summer at Corfe Castle

Explore the play zones as you get your legs and mind racing. Hit the bullseye in the archery zone, test our balance in the obstacle zone, and get your thinking caps on for the garden games

Children creeping through a forest of bamboo

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Summer at Kingston Lacy

Bounce on a strawberry and balance on a slack line, play giant vegetable guess-who, put on a puppet performance. No two weeks are the same, so there's plenty for everyone to try

Two children play with toy swords in front of Corfe Castle in Dorset

Family-friendly adventures in Dorset

There's all sorts to do in Dorset with the family, including discovering places to explore in gardens, parks, the countryside and on the beach.

A family group playing giant snakes and ladders on the Green Court in front of Dunster Castle

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Summer at Dunster Castle

Each week brings a new way to play - challenge friends and family to lawn games, shine like a star as you perform on the stage, and soak up the magic of the enchanted River Garden

A parent and three children lean over a stone balustrade, pointing at fish in a pond in the formal garden, with Montacute House behind them

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Summer at Montacute House

Test your skills with the activities and games around the garden, join a drop-in wood crafting session, and refuel in one of the picnic spots around the garden

Three children run across the grass at Tyntesfield, Somerset, with the house in the background

Family-friendly adventures in Somerset

There's all sorts for families to do around Somerset, from visiting a natural pier to running across the grass. Start planning your day out for the family to enjoy.

Mother and Son enjoying the garden at Knightshayes

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Summer at Knightshayes

Follow the fairies around the garden to see what they've been up to, completing activities along the way

Two little twin in floral dresses hold a flower in the spring sunshine at Saltram

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Summer at Saltram

Enjoy a blockbuster day out. The garden will be transformed into a playful celebration of all things performance, imagination, and adventure

A little wizard runs amongst the festival flags at the Summer of Play, Killerton, Devon

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Summer at Killerton

Burn off steam with frisbee golf and swingball, perform in the mini theatre, identify bugs and get messy in the mud kitchen in the nature zone, of relax with giant beanbags in the quiet zone

A family walk up a path between flowerbeds in the garden in August at Killerton, Devon.

Family-friendly adventures in Devon

From rock pooling on beautiful beaches to exploring historic houses, there are plenty of places to enjoy a great family day out. .

Girl playing tennis at Fell Foot Park, Cumbria

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Summer at Trelissick

Clown around and hone your circus skills, take part in Fancy Dress Fridays as you listen to local musicians, and try your hand at archery in the Walled Garden

A girl playing on the rocking horse in the Nursery at Lanhydrock

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Summer at Lanhydrock

Grab a map and have a go at activities and challenges as you play your way around the garden

A family playing in the garden at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Family-friendly adventures in Cornwall

With long stretching beaches, exotic gardens and historic houses in Cornwall, there are lots of places to explore and visit for family fun.

Find out our top dog-friendly places to visit and our Pooch Passport

A couple walking their dog in the grounds of Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire

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Pooch Passports

The Pooch Passports scheme has now ended – thank you to everyone who has visited one of the places in our care with your dog. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.