Family-friendly things to do at Mottisfont

🎄✨ Step into 'A Cinderella Christmas' adventure ✨🎄

22 November-4 January

This Christmas, the curtain goes up at Mottisfont on the classic tale of Cinderella so get ready for a magical day out filled with festive fun and unforgettable memories.

Presented with a playful pantomine twist, step into a world of glittering ballgowns, lost slippers and larger-than-life characters as the house is transformed with theatrical flair, seasonal sparkle and a good pinch of fairy godmother magic.

🏰 Explore Hardup Hall and the Royal Palace

See the house transformed into a dazzling pantomime setting straight from Cinderella’s world.

📸 Capture magical moments

Strike a pose in enchanting photo spots perfect for creating cherished family keepsakes.

💃 Meet the fabulous Mama G!

Join us for a special opening weekend ‘meet and greet’ with the beloved pantomime dame herself.

🎯 Play and discover outdoors

Enjoy family-friendly Cinders-themed games and activities in the fresh winter air.

🔍 Festive Cinderella trail

Little ones will love spotting all the items from Hardup Hall and the Royal Palace hidden across the garden on our cheerful Christmas trail.

📖 Storytime and Crafts

Snuggle up for a heartwarming Cinderella story session and get creative with festive crafts designed just for kids.

For full details of our Christmas events, including times and dates head to Christmas at Mottisfont.

More family-friendly things to do in the gardens

Wild play

Our Wild Play area includes three large wooden structures built for climbing, balancing and exploring. Have fun ducking and diving through different entry and exit points. The play area gets very muddy during periods of wet weather, so come dressed for mess.

Playing in the gardens

Wooden bridges and a rushing river make Mottisfont one of the country's top destinations for playing Pooh sticks – challenge your family to a game when you visit. Ball games and frisbees are welcome on the paddock areas.

'50 things' activities

Why not try some of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' challenges? From rolling down a hill to cloud watching, there's something for every young explorer.

Planning your family visit

Here's all the information you need at a glance, to make the most of your family day out at Mottisfont:

• Baby-changing facilities in access-friendly toilets are located at the Welcome Centre, stables, lower corridor in the house and the kitchen garden
• Pushchairs are welcome everywhere except inside the house. There are gently-sloping areas and wide pathways around much of the grounds. Pathways are uneven in some places so sturdy, all-terrain tyres are recommended
• Drinks, snacks and light lunches with family-friendly options are available from the café and additional outlets, with indoor and outdoor seating areas and picnic benches around the grounds
• Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere around the property.

There's no need to book, but Mottisfont can get very busy during school holidays and bank holidays. Mornings tend to be busier than afternoons. If you have the flexibility, a midweek visit is generally quieter than a weekend, even during school holidays. If you can only visit over the weekend, Saturdays are usually less busy than Sundays.

What do you need to know when visiting the garden?

• Toddler push-along bikes operated by a parent/guardian are welcome, but please be aware that bikes, trikes and scooters are not allowed
• There are areas of open water around the garden and grounds so close supervision is strongly advised
• Please don't bring windbreakers, gazebos, pop-up tents, parasols or barbecues.