Family-friendly things to do at Hinton Ampner

Visitors in the garden in June at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire — Visitors in the garden in June at Hinton Ampner | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

There's lots of family fun to be had at Hinton Ampner. Take a stroll around our beautiful estate and discover lots of nature along the way, or take part in a trail, bring a picnic and check out our open air theatre events!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream outdoor theatre
20 & 27 June 2025

This new production of Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love and intrigue, magic and mayhem, is brought to life by family favourites Quantum Theatre, so grab a picnic and a blanket and join in the fairy fun and frolics.

Performances: 19.00 – 21.00

Book tickets for 20 June
Book tickets for 27 June

Festival of Archaeology

This Summer, Hinton Ampner is proud to offer a programme of events and activities to celebrate the nationwide Festival of Archaeology. Join us 26 July – 3 August for an inspiring day out with all the family. You can depend upon the skills and knowledge of the HART team.

Roll up for excavation updates, news of new finds across the estate including a coin from the time of Louis the 16th, get digging for treasure in our big sandpit, be inspired by the hidden histories of Hinton Ampner that lie beneath our feet and take part in our Heritage Explorer’s trail to hone your archaeological skills as you learn to identify features across the landscape.

Find out more

Family walks on the Hinton Ampner estate

Stewkeley walk

The Stewkeley walk takes you across the Hinton Ampner estate towards the village of Kilmeston, before looping back to the entry of the estate. This moderately strenuous walk is perfect for walkers of any age and skill level. It's just under two miles and takes around an hour to complete.

Stewkeley walk

Ancient tree trail

The parkland at Hinton Ampner is home to many ancient trees, some with rather quirky characteristics. You can find out more about spotting the ancient trees by downloading the guide.

Follow this guide

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lots of ’50 things' challenges you can complete with the whole family at Hinton Ampner. Here's a few recommendations:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: If trees could talk, what stories would they tell? Get up close to a tree and feel the texture of its bark and leaves and notice all the different colours and smells. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
No. 12 Have fun with sticks: When it comes to sticks, the possibilities are endless. Use them to become a gallant warrior, make a magic wand, create a home for a small animal or insect or create some wild art. There are lots of interesting sticks to find in the Hinton Ampner estate and parkland
No. 33 Go cloud watching: With a little imagination you can create whole worlds from the shapes you see in the clouds. Do they resemble anything, like animals, trees or cartoon characters? Invent a story using the characters you see in the clouds. Try writing your story down or drawing it on a sketchpad
No. 44 Watch a bird: There are many different birds that can be spotted in the gardens and woodland at Hinton Ampner. Birds get frightened off easily, so you'll need to be as quiet as you can, and not make any loud noises or sudden movements to stand the best chance of seeing lots.

Children are seen playing in the Yew Avenue in June at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire — Children playing at Hinton Ampner | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Planning your family visit

If you're planning a visit to Hinton Ampner with the family, here is some useful information

Buggies and puschairs are welcome throughout the whole property including house, gardens and cafe. However, at particularly busy times access to the house may be restricted to enable people to safely navigate around the rooms. We try to provide a space for buggies or pushchairs to be stored if we cannot cater for them in the house, however, space is limited and items can only be accommodated on a first-come first-served basis.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar image credit: ™ & © 2025 Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. | © The Very Hungry Caterpillar image credit: ™ & © 2025 Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ trail
19 July – 7 September 2025

Join us from 19 July for an enchanting journey inspired by Eric Carle’s beloved children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar™. Hinton Ampner are thrilled to host this captivating trail where little ones can experience one of nature’s greatest transformations.

This charming trail brings to life the best-selling story of the tiny caterpillar who hatches from an egg and is so hungry he eats through a variety of fruits and snacks each day. The caterpillar then forms a chrysalis around himself and, after some time, emerges as a beautiful butterfly.

Enhanced by illustrated trail markers, giant food posts and accompanying QR codes, activities and games, children learn about the days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly all within the grounds of Hinton Ampner.

Pick up a The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ trail sheet when you arrive and set off on a journey of discovery together. Scan the QR code to uncover fun facts for hungry young minds, inspired by the storybook.

The World of Eric Carle nurtures a child’s love of literature and learning, encouraging imaginative play and exploration. Trusted by parents, teachers, and librarians and beloved by children worldwide for generations, The Very Hungry Caterpillar™, and other timeless storybooks, come to life in colourfully creative books and products, designed to inspire very hungry young minds. Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for young children. Carle illustrated more than 70 books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 175 million copies of his books have sold around the world.

The trail is presented by the award-winning creator of interactive theatrical events, Bakehouse Factory and forms part of a collaboration with the National Trust in London and the South East.

The trail is free. Normal admission applies.

Recommended for children aged 3 - 6 years.

Quantum Theatre presents Alice Through the Looking Glass
8 & 15 August 2025

With live music and the full array of Carroll’s fantastical characters, this lively new version follows Alice’s adventures in the looking-glass world she enters through the miQuantum Theatre presents Alice Through the Looking Glassror above her drawing-room fireplace…..

Adapted and directed by Michael Whitmore, this enchanting play faithfully charts the fabulous and wonderful world created by Lewis Carroll, retaining all its quirky British charm, classic characters and comedic poems in a true theatrical treat for all the family.

Book tickets for 8 August
Book tickets for 15 August

Festival of Archaeology
26 July - 3 August 2025