Family-friendly Mottisfont

Easter Adventures: 21 March-12 April

Hop over for treats and together-time at Mottisfont’s Easter tea party!

From 21 March to 12 April, enjoy an activity‑packed Easter trail bursting with fun, teatime-themed family activities like the scone and spoon race, giant sandwich jenga, plate spinning, toss the teabag, biscuit rolling station, and a spinning wheel where you can design your own sandwich. Slug and cress anyone? Little ones can also then 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.

Natural play for pre-schoolers

Join in with simple, seasonal, self-led activities aimed at pre-schoolers while you explore the gardens. Play and discover 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 27 February: Make a stick caterpillar

Tuesday 3 March: Make a fluttery butterfly

Monday 9 March: Mini land art

Family-friendly ideas for older children

Self-guided family snowdrop walks

From 17 January to 22 February we will be celebrating snowdrop season at Mottisfont. Follow a self-led family snowdrop walk along the Font Stream to spot the snowdrops, read seasonal snowdrop poems aloud and discover the giant snowdrop willow sculpture. A great way for children to engage with nature and the seasons. Check out the snowdrop map at the bottom of the boardwalk by Visitor Reception.

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, 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.