Family-friendly Mottisfont

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure

3 October - 1 November 2026

We're Going on a Ghost Hunt™ this Halloween at Mottisfont. Come and join the fun! Can we find them all? Yes! Run, run, run!

Pick your bunny name, play Halloween hoopla, race your broomstick, and watch out for the warty toads as you cross the stepping stones, before joining the celebration party and collecting your sticker.

Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Mottisfont with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way.

This trail is free with normal admission and is ideal for preschoolers and young children.

Richard Grudzinski, Senior Lead - Visitor Programming:  "We’re thrilled to bring the magic of We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt to National Trust properties this Halloween. Our stunning autumnal gardens, houses and parklands create the perfect backdrop to bringing the bunny adventures to life, and with spooky storybook fun, playful games, and enchanting activities waiting around every corner, it’s a hauntingly delightful way for families to celebrate the season together."

Story-time: Go on a Ghost Hunt with The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill​

Hop into Halloween with a special storyteller event celebrating We're Going on a Ghost Hunt! ​Follow The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill as they search for hidden ghosts, discover pumpkins, bats and owls, and enjoy a wonderfully spooky adventure together. ​
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Packed with storytelling, fun, music and gentle spookiness, it's the perfect event for little trick-or-treaters.​  We're Going on a Ghost Hunt™ storytelling sessions are delivered by Bloomsbury. The sessions are free of charge (included in normal admission) ,45 minutes in duration and must be pre-booked.  Storytelling timings are 10.30-11.15am, 11.45am-12.30pm and 1.30-2.15pm.

For visitor comfort, numbers are capped at 30 participants per storytelling session.  Book early to avoid disappointment.

Upcoming storytelling dates:

• Sunday 25 October

• Thursday 29 October

Find out more and pre-book your storytelling adventure! 

Image credit: ™ Illustrations by Cherie Zamazing, based on the original characters created by Laura Hughes, copyright © Bloomsbury Publishing 2023

Mini Adventures

Selected dates between 9 to 18 November 2026

Natural play for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups. 

Join in with simple, seasonal, crafty self-led activities aimed at pre-schoolers.  Play and discover the outdoors using natural objects gathered from Mottisfont's garden.

Meet our Mini Adventure volunteers at the Learning and Development Room within the Stable Yard to get started on the activities and pick up any items you need. The Mini Adventures events run 10.15-11.45am and are included with the normal property admission.

Monday 9 November:  Leaf Challenge
The children will be asked to find the biggest and the small leaf they possibly can, and then be encouraged to use their leaves to help make a leaf rainbow or thread onto string to take home.

Thursday 12 November: Wands and potions
Children will be using a collecting bucket to gather sticks and natural elements to decorate their wands or to make a magic potion to pour under tree and make a wish.

Friday 13 November: Treasure boxes
Gather six interesting objects to fit into an egg box and decorate your box to create your own treasure box.

Tuesday 17 November: Leaf rubbings
Children will be using a collecting bucket to gather dry leaves and then be encouraged to create leaf rubbings using paper and wax crayons. 

Wednesday 18 November: Leaf creatures
Children will be using a collecting bucket to gather dry leaves, and then applying sticky dots to add features and make their own characterful leaf creatures.

Find out more

A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas at Mottisfont

21 November 2026 - 3 January 2027

Magic comes to Mottisfont this Christmas, as we invite you on a fun and festive adventure into the much-loved tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. The house is transformed with sparkle, theatrical flair, lights and laughs as you journey from a towering beanstalk to a castle in the clouds.  But be careful ... can you hear the fee-fi-fo-fum?

Christmas storytime

Join professional storyteller Merry-Go-Round to hear the magical tale of Jack and the Beanstalk and other, festive favourites.  These live performances will engage children aged 2-8 years. Free event (normal admission applies) 

These events are free but normal property admission applies (free for National Trust members).
Each individual requires a pre-booked ticket as places are limited. Click on the links below to reserve your place. 

Christmas storytelling dates

Monday 23 November- Jack and the Beanstalk
Friday 27 November - The Gingerbread Man
Wednesday 2 December - Jack and the Beanstalk
Thursday 3 December - Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Monday 7 December - Elves and the Shoemaker
Tuesday 8 December - Jack and the Beanstalk
Wednesday 16 December - Bring Back the Sun, a winter solstice folktale
Thursday 17 December - Jack and the Beanstalk 

Christmas crafts for tiny tots

Join in with simple, seasonal, self-led activities aimed at pre-schoolers while you explore the gardens together. Use natural objects gathered from Mottisfont's garden to make Christmas items to take home - perfect as decorations or for gifting.

Meet our Mini Adventure volunteers to get started on the activities and pick up any items you need. These events run 10.15am - 11.45am and are included with the normal property admission.

Monday 30 November: Make a stick reindeer

Wednesday 9 December: Make a natural Christmas decoration

Tuesday 15 December: Make a pine cone Christmas tree

Family-friendly ideas for older children

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 in 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. Check out the full list here: 50 things to do before you're 11¾.

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?

• Toddler push-along bikes operated by a parent/guardian are welcome, but please be aware that bikes, balance 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. 
• Our buggy drivers are happy to provide lifts to expectant mothers and families with young children and heavy picnics - please just ask.