Family-friendly things to do at Acorn Bank

We want everyone to feel welcome at Acorn Bank - our access page has accessibility information which will help you to get the most out of your visit.

Pushchairs and baby back-carriers are admitted.

The second-hand bookshop in the Drawing Room of the house has plenty of children’s books.

Acorn Bank’s Silent Space, part of the Silent Space initiative, can be found at the centre of the Herb Garden. Enclosed by 400-year-old walls, it’s an intimate space with a tranquil atmosphere, full of fragrance – ideal for switching off for a while, or a calm space to settle down excited children.

The café currently has a reduced offer due to staffing shortages, and opening times are subject to staff availability. You can check the opening times under the 'Opening times' tab on Acorn Bank's home page. On days when the café is closed, self-service hot drinks are available.

The café is open on the following dates, serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, scones and cakes, 10:30am-3:30pm:

• Saturday 3, Sunday 4 & Monday 5 May
• Saturday 24, Sunday 25 & Monday 26 May
• Friday 30, Saturday 31 May & Sunday 1 June

If you'd like to bring a your own lunch or a picnic, there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy it, as well as picnic blankets. There is an accessible picnic table behind the House, at the edge of the staff carpark, as well as picnic benches at the edge of the woodland - turn left after the Shepherd's Hut and you'll see them next to the path. There are lots of peaceful spots in the gardens to enjoy a picnic, particularly in the Top Orchard.

There are toilets near the cafe, and changing facilities for children and babies are in the courtyard, next to the Place to Change toilet.

More accessibility information can be found on Acorn Bank's access page.

We've a range of items, free to borrow, to help you make the most of your visit.

Nature toolkits can be collected at the Shepherds Hut - more information about the toolkits can be found below

Wellies and picnic rugs can also be borrowed from the Shepherds Hut.

Discover more about nature here in the gardens and out on the estate by borrowing a free toolkit available from the Shepherd’s Hut when you arrive.

Toolkits include a variety of spotter sheets, binoculars, magnifying glasses, tape measures, clickers, blackboards and coloured chalks.

You can also borrow wellies and picnic blankets.

Have lots of fun this summer at Acorn Bank. From 19 July to 31 August, join us for traditional games, nature-inspired rubbing plaques and try your hand at 50 Things activities in the garden and woodland. Why not enjoy a treat in the café or relax at a shady picnic spot in the top orchard? Put your sun hat on and come and make the most of being outdoors this summer.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Traditional games can be found at the front of the house - think badminton, hoopla and skipping.

On Sundays from March onwards, and on Wednesday afternoons during the school holidays, pop in and find a nature-themed activity to get stuck into.

• Sundays in March - make your own bird feeder
• Sundays in April - take part in the Easter egg hunt
• Sundays in May - make a seed bomb
• Sundays in June - craft a 'journey stick'
• Sundays in July (and Wednesdays throughout the school holidays) - find items in the woods and create your own treasure bag
• Sundays and Wednesday afternoons in August - make a bug hotel
• Sundays in September and October - eco printing, nature crowns and apple pigs

Have a go at geocaching - there are six caches hidden across the parkland at Acorn Bank, each with a small treasure to find inside. Can you locate them all?

Some may not be immediately obvious – so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled!

Follow the pots around the garden to find out which plants help out our fuzzy friends the most, and which you might be able to grow at home.