Skip to content

Family-friendly things to do at Mottisfont

Four children in jeans and long sleeved tops searching for conkers in fallen autumn leaves on a lawn
Children hunting for conkers in autumn at Mottisfont | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

With plenty of space to run, jump and play, there's lots to keep children of all ages busy at Mottisfont. Challenge yourself in our Wild Play area, try some of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' challenges and play a game of Pooh sticks from one of the wooden bridges. There's plenty to keep everyone enterained.

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 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 may get very busy during school holidays and bank holidays. Mornings tend to be busier than afternoons. If you have the flexibility, a weekday 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.  

Family-friendly events

Leaf litter collecting

We make huge amounts of compost at Mottisfont, so we can feed our plants organically, without artificial fertiliser. Can you help us out this autumn? The leaves are beginning to fall, and we’ve got mini wheelbarrows and rakes at the ready, so our younger visitors can scoot around gardens gathering leaves and pouring them into the special leaf bins. 

 

Mini Adventures at Mottisfont

Our Mini Adventure activities are back this November. Join us with simple, seasonal, self-led activities aimed at pre-schoolers, to enjoy while you explore the gardens at Mottisfont. This year the sessions include: wands and potions, leaf rubbing, making treasure boxes, creating leaf creatures, and some leaf challenges too. These sessions take place on weekdays during November. 

To find about more about theses activities here

 

A Nutcracker Christmas 

23 November 2024 - 5 January 2025

Experience the timeless magic of the Nutcracker at Mottisfont this Christmas, with a decorated house and family trial. Discover the enchanting story as you wander though the house with rooms filled with sparkling trees and decorations, music and light effects.  Property admission applies (free for National Trust members, Art Fund members and under 5s), plus suggested donation for the trail. We are introducing a trail house booking system, based on vistor feedback last year. 

Find out more about A Nutcracker Christmas here.

Sign, wheelbarrow, container and rake encouraging visitors to collect autumn leaves for compost at Mottisfont, Hampshire
You can help Mottisfont's compost making by picking up autumn leaves | © National Trust Images/Catherine Hadler

More family-friendly things to do in the garden

Our Wild Play area includes three large wooden structures built for climbing, balancing and exploring. Duck and dive through multiple entry and exit points to play together. The play area gets very muddy during periods of wet weather, so come dressed for mess.

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 to do.

Visitors in the walled rose garden at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Discover more at Mottisfont

Find out when Mottisfont is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

A close up of soup and bread being served by a catering assistant
Article
Article

Eating at Mottisfont 

Treat yourself to a snack and drink at one of the cafés after a wander in the garden.

Visitors walking through the garden in autumn, Mottisfont, Hampshire
Article
Article

The garden at Mottisfont 

Enjoy every season at Mottisfont, with its ancient trees and babbling brooks, from rich autumn foliage and the scented Winter Garden, to spring bulbs and, of course, the world-famous Rose Garden.

Busts on pillars in The Long Gallery, Mottisfont, Hampshire. It was installed in the 1740s and used as an indoor exercise space for ladies. The walls are painted to simulate Sienna marble.
Article
Article

The house and gallery at Mottisfont 

Explore Maud Russell’s 1930s neo-classical interiors, in an 18th-century house with medieval origins and enjoy changing art exhibitions in the spacious gallery.

Nutcracker statue in front of hedge decorated for Christmas
Article
Article

A Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont 

23 November 2024 - 5 January 2025: experience the timeless magic of The Nutcracker at Mottisfont this Christmas. The story unfolds as you wander through rooms filled with sparkling trees and decorations, music and light effects. Outside, the adventure continues on a Nutcracker family trail.

Family walking down staircase with Christmas decorations at Scotney Castle, Kent

Family-friendly places to visit 

Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer at the places in our care.

Child walking on a log at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ 

Plan fresh-air activities, discover facts about nature and wildlife or learn a new skill with our suggestions for ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.

A family exploring the gardens at Christmas at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

Family-friendly places in Hampshire 

Discover the top National Trust places for family days out around Hampshire, from Wild Play at Mottisfont to acres of parkland at Hinton Ampner.