Discover more at Mottisfont
Find out when Mottisfont is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Family-friendly Mottisfont
There's plenty for the whole family to enjoy on a visit to Mottisfont. With fun-filled term-time and holiday activities, vibrant art exhibitions, adventurous Wild Play area and enchanting seasonal offers, there's something for all the family. With space to run, jump, play and explore, Mottisfont is a perfect setting for family adventures any time of the year.
Easter Adventures: 21 March-12 April
Join us at Mottisfont for a Topsy-Turvy tea party: tea time-inspired games that will have the whole family laughing. Compete in the scone and spoon race, test your aim with toss the teabag and try a spot of plate spinning. There’s a biscuit rolling station too, and a chance to design your own fun sandwich – slug and cress anyone? Why not join us for giant sandwich jenga and little ones can draw their sandwiches for display in the stableyard.
So pop on your bunny ears, grab your activity sheet to guide the way, and follow the trail around Mottisfont's grounds to discover the 10 awesome activity stations. At the finish line, a yummy Easter egg (choose dairy chocolate, or vegan and Free From*) is waiting for you.
The full trail costs £3.50 per person. (If you prefer, you can simply enjoy the trail activities without the extras as part of your standard admission.)
*Vegan and Free From egg suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies.
Make the most of your Easter Adventures visit - during the school Easter holidays, our busiest times are between 11.00am and 2pm
Blossom at Mottisfont: 20 March - 10 May
Spring is on the way, and blossom is beginning to bring a splash of colour to the garden.
Join us and celebrate blossom at Mottisfont. Look out for information about our blossom dotted around the garden, Pick up a free, highlights map to help you find our blossoming trees and discover backdrops all around the garden for mindful moments in beauty and birdsong.
On your visit, explore the cherry orchard behind the house, where cloud-like clusters of delicate pink blooms cascade from ornamental trees creating a beautiful display. Discover more blossom in the kitchen garden, with heritage apple and pear trees producing a beautiful variety of blossom colours.
Keep an eye out for blossom signs with fascinating information about our ‘blossoming’ trees, encouraging visitors to pause and connect with nature. Throughout the gardens, you’ll find moments of blossom inspiration—from mindful spaces where you can read poetry by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
Free family fun
Free activities for families include spotting felt ladybirds hidden around the house and creating an origami flower in the Lower Corridor by the Old Kitchen Cafe. Help yourself to free 'Blossomise' poetry postcards and make a simple paper blossom badge craft to take home.
Share your blossom memores
Jot your memories of blossom at Mottisfont on a petal shaped piece of card and hand to a member of the shop team to hang from our memories tree.
Mini Adventures
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 to get started on the activities and pick up any items you need. These events run 10:15am to midday and are included with the normal property admission.
Friday 24 April
Tuesday 28 April
Thursday 7 May
Wednesday 13 May
May Half term fun at Mottisfont - 23 - 31 May
Saturday 23 May - Sunday 31 May, join us at Mottisfont to let off steam and get giggly outdoors with lots of family friendly play and games inspired by nature.
Take part in a sack race slalom or select a hobby horse and challenge your family to a horse racing derby! Select your bean bags to send sailing through the air to hit the big target and wobble your way across the stepping logs. Tap into the joys of natural play in both the wild play area and den building areas.
Whether you bring a picnic or visit our cafes, let us supply a beautiful backdrop to help you make memories with all the family.
Find out more
Outdoor family theatre this summer
This summer, bring the family to Mottisfont to enjoy live theatre:
Romeo and Juliet - 10 July
Book your tickets here.
Sherlock Holmes & The Hound of the Baskervilles - 23 July
Book your tickets here.
The Jungle Book - 29 July
Book your tickets here.
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 the garden?
- 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.
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Eating at Mottisfont
Whether you're enjoying the gardens, viewing an exhibition, or keeping little ones entertained, turn your visit into an event with a delicious treat.
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 snowdrops, the first harbingers of spring and, of course, the world-famous Rose Garden.
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.
Visiting Mottisfont with your dog
Mottisfont is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs on a short lead are welcome to explore most of the garden.
Family-friendly places to visit
Looking for a family day out that'll keep everyone entertained? Find things to do with the kids at the places we care for near you.
‘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’.
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.
