Family days out at Scotney Castle

winter, winter walk, Britain, family trail, family walk, British, child, children, England, English, GB, girl, Great Britain, Great British, Kent, leaf, leaves, outdoor, outside, people, play, playing, Scotney Castle, South East, South East Region, UK, United Kingdom, visiting, visitor, national trust, national trust south east, family photo — Family taking a photograph of the Old Castle in the Scotney Castle winter garden | © NTI Images / Arnhel de Serra

Let the adventures begin! Explore a moated castle, discover hidden paths and natural play areas, take a walk over the estate or get involved with a packed programme of family-friendly events and activities.

Here are some ideas for activities you can do with your family this winter into spring at Scotney Castle. Do book your car parking in advance to guarantee entry to the site, but there's no need to book entry.

Book your car parking

February Half Term - Activity Trail

Saturday 14 - Sunday 22 February

This half term take part in a time-travelling activity trail in the Scotney Castle gardens. Purchase a family-fiendly activity trail pack from Visitor Reception for £3.50, complete the fun activities around the gardens, solve the clue and collect a small prize on completion. Normal admission applies (free for NT members), no charge for under fives. Click here for more information.

Easter Adventures at Scotney Castle

Saturday 21 March - Sunday 19 April

Collect your Easter trail pack from the visitor centre, put on your bunny ears, complete the challenges and hop through our stunning gardens as big and little legs eggsplore a fun-filled day for the whole family.

The trail takes place between Saturday 21 March - Sunday 19 April, from 10am-5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan *Free From chocolate egg. Click here for more info.

Please note: we highly recommed booking your parking in advance during weekends and school holidays.

*Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies

Spotter strolls and family days out

Have an outdoor adventure out on the estate, spotting sheep, counting the chocolate brown Sussex cattle and enjoying the wintery views. Why not find the Wilderness Camp and make a den in the ancient woodland? Why not forage for wild food on the estate or make friends with a minibeast?

The estate's blue route across the parkland is buggy friendly and a great place to let off steam but can get a bit wet and muddy so remember your wellies during spells of wet-weather. If you're looking for a shorter option, you can explore the garden with its hard-surface paths and hidden walkways - perfect for a game of hide and seek.

Stop for a hot chocolate in the cosy tearoom or pocket-money treat from the shop and you'll have tired but happy little explorers.

Badger & Pepper natural play area

The Badger and Pepper play area, complete with mud kitchen, ball run, play house, toddler swing and natural drum kit, is a perfect place for younger children to let off steam. You'll find it in the main garden, half-way down the hill on the right-hand side.

Wilderness Camp

Wilderness Camp in Colliers Wood is the perfect place for older children to get back to nature, making dens, playing amongst the trees.

Discover all Scotney's events

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

Here are just a few of the ideas from the list ...

No 2: Roll down a really big hill
No 4: Build a den
No 6: Go welly wandering
No 7: Fly a kit - head onto the estate for this
No 8: Spot a fish
No 12: Have fun with sticks
No 13: Make a mud creation - head to Badger & Pepper's play area
No 30: Go on a scavenger hunt
No 31: Make friends with a bug
No 44: Watch a bird
No 50: Take a friend on a nature adventure - double the fun!

Why not check out the full list here?

Child enjoying the Badger and Pepper play area at Scotney Castle, Kent — The Badger and Pepper Play Area at Scotney Castle | © National Trust Images/Sam Milling

Planning your visit - Good to know

Accessible WCs with baby and toddler changing facilities are available in the central Courtyard, near the shop and tea-room.
An additional change area is next to the black timber clad property office by the car park.
There are no toilet facilities or catering facilities in the garden or on the estate.
The tea-room in the Courtyard sells a wide range of snacks and ice-creams, children’s lunch boxes, and hot and cold drinks and full meals. Full lunches are available 12-2pm.
At peak times there is an additional kiosk in the Courtyard selling drinks and snacks. Doggy ice-creams are also on sale in the Courtyard tea-room so no family member need miss out.
The shop in the Courtyard sells a range of good-quality pocket money toys as well as children's books.
The second-hand bookshop by the Visitor Entrance has a Children's Corner. With children's books from 50 pence, and others from £1, it's well worth a visit.
If it is practicable, baby carriers are a better way to travel with young ones on the estate as the routes are not fully buggy-friendly. The estate can also become very muddy and water-logged in winter or after heavy rain.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead. Only assistance dogs may go into the house, castle and walled garden.
The all-weather paths in the garden are suitable for prams, buggies and mobility scooters. There are some steps from the terrace at the back of the house, but an alternative route into the garden is available.
Prams, buggies and rucksack-style baby carriers need to be left outside when visiting the mansion house.
For everyone's enjoyment and safety, scooters, bicycles and ball games are not permitted in the garden.