Family days out in the South West

Visitors in the Library at Montacute House, Somerset — Family exploring the Library at Montacute House, Somerset | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

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.

Stranger Folk digital adventure

A crack has formed between our world and the spirit world, and all sorts of old folklore creatures have escaped. Gather your team and download the free Stranger Folk app, available on the App Store and Google Play Store, to communicate with the Old Crone who will lead you on your journey. Head to visitor reception as you arrive, and start your spooky adventure filled with sneaky goblins, cunning boggarts and more. You'll only need one mobile phone to follow the folklore-inspired game and work together to immerse yourselves in a rich story of physical play and strange goings-on, set against the backdrop of some of the places we care for.

The game can be played at a fast-pace for around 20 minutes or make it a day-long adventure, pausing for scones then picking up where you left off.

Join the fun at:

On a black background, strange creatures in blue and white are 'dancing' — Stranger Folk are coming to Knightshayes and Kingston Lacy this autumn | © National Trust

Find your autumnal family days out in the South West

Cornwall: Treat the whole family to a fun-filled day out at the places we care for in Cornwall. Explore exotic gardens, historic houses, and long stretches of beaches. At Lanhydrock, play in the newly refurbished Victorian nursery and learn stories of the Agar-Robartes children, from board games and a theatre with props, to the rocking horse - there's lots to get involved with. Explore the garden and orchards at Cotehele and head out on an adventure around the estate with buggy-friendly routes around the garden, quay, and towards Cotehele Mill. Little ones can burn off steam in the play areas by the Cherry Orchard and at Cotehele Quay. Follow buggy-friendly routes around the garden, orchard and countryside as you embark on an adventure at Trelissick. Children's lunchboxes are available from the cafe, and sensory bags are on hand for use during your visit. At Trelissick, soak in the spectacular maritime views in the garden andPlan your family adventures in Cornwall
Devon: Enjoy a family day out this autumn in Devon. Run wild at Knightshayes - with over 200 acres to explore, let off steam in the woodland play area, and wander the buggy-friendly paths in the Formal & Woodland garden. At Killerton, discover the Lady Cott (Bear's Hut) in the garden, little ones can enjoy the playground area, try your hand at orienteering, pick up the Volcano Explorer Challenge, and explore the garden, woods, and parkland. Saltram has a garden for all seasons, with free sensory trails throughout the year to get children connecting with nature, with buggy and wheelchair friendly routes, and cycling routes that venture further into the estate.Explore Devon as a family this autumn
Somerset: At Dunster Castle pick up a free family Castle Explorer trail sheet and enjoy the castle from a new perspective, with fun activities along the way, settle down on the comfy sofas and play some games in the Morning Room, try on costumes and discover different times periods through history in the Hat Room. Play your way in the different play areas at Tyntesfield for smaller and bigger children, clamber on the big tractor, make your way down the slides, and build a den. Inside the house, see what treasures you can spot as you explore.Plan your family day out in Somerset
Bath and Bristol: Play your way in the different play areas at Tyntesfield for smaller and bigger children, clamber on the big tractor, make your way down the slides, and build a den. Inside the house, see what treasures you can spot as you explore. Enjoy the Old Lodge play area at Dyrham Park where youngsters can play on climbing equipment, balance beams, a log tunnel, and play kitchens. Inside the house there are interactive ways to explore, from 17th-century hats and wigs to try on to replica object to feel.Family days out in Bath and Bristol
Dorset: Explore the ruins at Corfe Castle and take part in the Secrets of the Shadows family quest, can you help the resident ghost detective - Godwin the Jackdaw - with his investigation? Little ones can run free in the play areas at Kingston Lacy, 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. 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.Family adventures in Dorset
Wiltshire: Let off steam at Stourhead as little ones explore the play area and enjoy a swing, clamber on the climbing ropes. Inside the house, pick up a children's spotter trail - using the clues, can you spot all the special items around the house? Head to the garden at Avebury Manor to take part in a nature spotting trail, ten painted birds have been hidden around the 'rooms' of the garden and there is a small prize on offer to anyone who can find them all. Little explorers can borrow an 'explorer backpack' from the garden gate, it has everything needed to inspect the nature around the garden (included binoculars or magnifying glasses, spotter sheets and bug bingo cards to help identify the insects, animals, butterflies and plants)Family fun in Wiltshire
Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds: Enjoy the Old Lodge play area at Dyrham Park where youngsters can play on climbing equipment, balance beams, a log tunnel, and play kitchens. Inside the house there are interactive ways to explore, from 17th-century hats and wigs to try on to replica object to feel. Nature explorers can discover wild animal carvings in the woodland play area at Newark Park, with animal carvings that were designed specially for Newark and feature a number of wild animals to spot including an owl, mice and deer. At Woodchester Park, follow the wooden rounds along the grassy paths and take time in nature. See what plants, birds and animals you can spot, take some time cloud gazing and have fun exploring.Family adventures in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Christmas in the South West

Enjoy festive days out in the South West this Christmas, and discover houses dressed to impress, winter illuminations after dark, and plenty of family fun.