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.
Pokémon joins Summer of Play at Mottisfont - 23 July - 6 September
Calling Pokémon fans new and old! This Summer of Play, Pokémon are jumping into the great outdoors near you. Are you ready to share the magic with a new generation?
From 23 July - 6 September, on top of an already jam-packed Summer of Play, discover all-new Pokémon zones. Get stuck into the Pokémon Trading Card Game, flex your skills and collect Mega Evolution stickers! Plus, join the Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges.
Don't forget your imagination...
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.
More summer fun to enjoy
Mottisfont’s Summer of Play is one that you won't want to miss with 7 play zones to suit every age and every interest.
1. Burn off some energy in the Active Zone with football goal scoring practice, egg and spoon racing and a fluttery rainbow tunnel to dash through.
2. Are you a nature-lover? Get hands on in the Nature Zone, explore cloud formations, identify signs and sounds of summer, grab a pair of binoculars and an insect identification kit and discover the beauty our Mottisfont countryside. Get busy den building or scrambling through our wild play area. Mini tepees make a shady retreat to plan your nature based fun.
3. Filled with dramatic flair? The Imagination Zone is calling you! Take sail on our pirate ship, add to your circus skills and get honing your acrobatic wobble board skills!
4. If it's all about play, the Loose Parts Zone is a treasure trove for the imagination. From giant Tetris to build-your-own marble runs and jolly giant Jenga, the sky is the limit when it comes to creating your own fun.
5. Our younger visitors are joining us in the Beech Circle in the Under 5’s Zone, with a music making station, super-sized construction materials, a play kitchen, and wooden stepping stones.
6. If creativity is your thing, there are opportunities to do chalk art, tell stories and engage in imaginative games in the Creative Zone.
7. On top of an already jam-packed Summer of Play, discover all-new Pokémon zone. Get stuck into the Pokémon Trading Card Game, flex your skills and collect Mega Evolution stickers!
With facilitated workshops and sessions to come, stand by for a wonderful summer ahead!
Whether you bring a picnic or visit our cafes, let us supply a beautiful backdrop to help you make memories with the family this summer.
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.
You might also be interested in
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.
