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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Family-friendly gardens
Find natural play areas, go exploring on buggy-friendly paths and spot wildlife along the way. Here’s our pick of the gardens in our care that the whole family can enjoy.
- Blickling Estate, Norfolk
- Blickling’s gardens are a natural playground, with 55 acres of hide-and-seek spots and places to play chase. Follow the winding paths and see if you can find the two secret tunnels.Explore the garden at Blickling
- Chirk Castle, Wrexham
- There's a colourful garden to explore at Chirk Castle, with wildlife to look out for. Count how many different types of birds you see, hunt for insects or fungi, or let off some steam in the natural play area.Explore the garden at Chirk Castle
- Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
- Head to the Storybook Play Den for a game of make-believe, or find your way to the centre of Cliveden's Giant Maze. Take the steps down to the River Thames, where you can go on a boat trip.Explore the garden at Cliveden
- Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
- Children can discover nature through natural play at Colby Woodland Garden. Explore the sky gazing glade or build a den under the trees; jump on the giant stepping stones, or find wildlife around the stream.Explore the garden at Colby Woodland Garden
- Cotehele, Cornwall
- Take the buggy-friendly route that leads around the garden, quay and down to the mill to see what Cotehele has to offer. Burn off energy in the natural play area, enjoy apples from the orchard, or set each other a den-building challenge.Explore the garden at Cotehele
- Cragside, Northumberland
- Follow the maze of paths that links the shrubs in Cragside's Rock Garden and stroll under the enormous trees in the Pinetum. Look out for wildlife, including red squirrels, along the way. Explore the labyrinth and search for the wizard and storyteller's chair.Explore the garden at Cragside
- Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
- Escape the city with a relaxing wander through Dyffryn's many outdoor spaces. Look out for secret garden rooms, burn off some energy on the Great Lawn and let your imagination run wild in the Log Stack play areas.Explore the garden at Dyffryn
- Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
- Spot the resident hens and see which seasonal fruits and vegetables are growing in the Walled Garden at Felbrigg. There are lots of buggy-friendly paths in the garden and places to play hide-and-seek.Explore the garden at Felbrigg Hall
- Florence Court, County Fermanagh
- Look out for red squirrels foraging in Florence Court's garden, or head to the play area for a go on its rope swings and slides. Borrow a balance bike for free from the visitor centre for some fun on two wheels.Explore the garden at Florence Court
- Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, North Yorkshire
- Children can explore acres of space and let their imaginations run riot at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal. Investigate the water garden, climb up to the Banqueting House lawn and hunt for the three follies.Explore the garden at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
- Gibside, Tyne & Wear
- Investigate the explorer trail in the gardens at Gibside, or enjoy some make-believe at the Strawberry Castle play area. Try out the nature playscape, low ropes course and den-building area, and see what wildlife you can spot from the bird hide.Explore the garden at Gibside
- Glendurgan, Cornwall
- If you're feeling adventurous, why not take on Glendurgan's maze? Take a turn on the Giant's Stride rope swing or explore the Apple Shed, where you can try on bee-keeping outfits and design a bug hotel.Explore the garden at Glendurgan
- Killerton, Devon
- Killerton's gardens have wide-open spaces and winding paths through shady woodlands for children to roam. Follow the buggy-friendly path around the garden or climb up to the top of the Clump and test your den-building skills.Explore the garden at Killerton
- Kingston Lacy, Dorset
- With its acres of colourful gardens and parkland to explore, Kingston Lacy is an appealing spot for a family day out. An adventure awaits you whatever your age – or the time of year.Explore the garden at Kingston Lacy
- Montacute House, Somerset
- The gardens at Montacute House offer families a mix of history and play. The 'wibbly wobbly' yew hedges add a whimsical touch, while children can play chase in the Garden Orchard.Explore the garden at Montacute House
- Mottisfont, Hampshire
- With its chalk stream and bridges, Mottisfont has everything you need to play Pooh sticks. Follow the river walk or head to the paddock area, where there are benches and space for games of tag. You can also test your limits in the Wild Play area.Explore the garden at Mottisfont
- Mount Stewart, County Down
- Voted one of the world's top 10 gardens, there are lots of different areas of Mount Stewart to discover with your family. Don't miss the mythical animals on the Dodo Terrace – see if you can count them all.Explore the garden at Mount Stewart
- Nymans, West Sussex
- Stop by Nymans' Play Glade for fun and games. Build a den, do some acting on the mini stage or explore the nearby bamboo jungle. Then, head out into the woodland and see how many sculptures you can spot.Explore the garden at Nymans
- Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Gwynedd
- Penrhyn Castle has two playgrounds to enjoy – Rook Wood and Cwt Ogwen – and lots of trails to explore. The spacious castle grounds give families with lots of energy room to run around.Explore the garden at Penrhyn Castle
- Polesden Lacey, Surrey
- Embrace your inner animal in the natural play area at Polesden Lacey. Hop on the swings and race through the rabbit tunnel. Or climb the giant bird's nest, the bottom level of which is wheelchair accessible and a hub for sensory play.Explore the garden at Polesden Lacey
- Rowallane Garden, County Down
- Look up in the trees and under rocks to find some wildlife at Rowallane Garden, home to ladybirds, butterflies, bees, hedgehogs and more. Then head to the Explore and Play natural playground to see the sculptures of exotic animals.Explore the garden at Rowallane
- Scotney Castle, Kent
- Head to the Badger and Pepper play area, complete with musical instruments, a toddler swing, play hut, ball chute and mud kitchen. There are accessible all-weather paths through much of the garden, so you can bring the buggy along with you.Explore the garden at Scotney Castle
- Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
- The garden at Seaton Delaval Hall features the Baroque theatre-inspired Delaval Playdium play area, alongside the Mirror Cube, which provides visual surprises. Seasonal family events take place at the Oval, but kids can let off steam here whenever they like.Explore the garden at Seaton Delaval Hall
- Speke Hall, Liverpool
- Speke Hall's garden has plenty to fire up young imaginations. Find your way out of the hedge maze, discover the secret garden or follow the Giant Childe of Hale play trail to find out more about the local legend of John Middleton.Explore the garden at Speke Hall
- Stourhead, Wiltshire
- There's lots for families to explore in the garden at Stourhead. Follow the path and enjoy the views from one of the many grassy spots by the lake. There are also historic grottos and temples to discover along the way.Explore the garden at Stourhead
- Tyntesfield, Somerset
- Have a go at some of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities at Tyntesfield. Find different types of fungi; try some den building; or get to know some of the oldest, widest trees in the grounds.Explore the garden at Tyntesfield
- Wallington, Northumberland
- Zoom along the Dragon cycle trail; swing, slide and climb in the play areas; and tick some activities off your ‘50 things’ list. Look out for Wallington's 'Garden of Imagination' with its giant storytelling chair.Explore the garden at Wallington
- Wentworth Castle Gardens
- Wentworth Castle Gardens has lots to explore – from the turrets of Stainborough Castle to the hiding places in the Union Jack Gardens. Try out the Multisensory or Orienteering Trails and call into the adventure play area before you leave.Explore the garden at Wentworth Castle Gardens
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