Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh

A girl in a pink raincoat smelling a potted plant in the kitchen garden at Sizergh in Cumbria — There's something for all ages to enjoy at Sizergh | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Whether you’re after a wild play area to let little legs run off some steam, a peaceful garden for a buggy-friendly walk, or a children’s trail through a house filled with treasures, there’s something for all ages here at Sizergh.

Planning your family visit

Here’s some useful information to help plan your visit to Sizergh:

You'll find toilets and baby-changing facilities in Ashbank Visitor Centre in the main car park, and in the Old Forge next to the house
The café offers a range of tasty kids’ lunchboxes containing sandwiches, fruit, a treat and juice or water. Hot lunches are also available and tray bakes, cakes and scones are baked fresh each day
If you’d rather bring your own picnic, tables and benches can be found outside Ashbank Visitor Centre, in a quiet spot off the orchard, and down by Gardeners’ Cottage. There are also plenty of benches around the gardens and hidden follies
Pocket money priced gifts and souvenirs are available from the shop.

Two children running together on a lawn in the autumn. — Kids enjoying the gardens at Sizergh | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Family-friendly things to do on the estate

Wild play trail

Test your balance and bravery as you head into the woodland to follow the wild play trail, where hours of family fun are waiting. Follow the clues to reach the end, trying the climbing wall, balance beams, rope swing and stepping-stones along the way.

This natural play area was made by our talented ranger team and is most suitable for ages 3 and up (although smaller children will need a helping hand from a grown up)

Walks and wildlife spotting on the estate

There are three popular walking routes in the estate which are marked in a map available from Ashbank, the visitor reception building.

Family-friendly things to do in the house

Children’s scallop trail

The house is full of thousands of quirky items – from King James II’s blood to boomerangs and spears. If you’re really observant you might also notice scallop shells hidden everywhere you look: in paintings, carved in wood, and in stained glass.

These shells are symbolic of the Catholic faith which has played an integral part in the Strickland family’s lives across the centuries. Pick up a trail sheet when you enter the house to see how many examples you can find.

Family on the wild trail in the woodland at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria — Children enjoying the wild play trail | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’

Enjoy the great outdoors whilst getting closer to nature with our ‘50 things’ list of self-led activities for young adventurers. There’s something to see and do at Sizergh all year round, but here are a few top suggestions to get you started.

No. 4 Build a den out on the wild play trail
No. 44 Watch a bird from the bird hide at Park End Moss
No. 33 Go cloud watching from the lawn by the Mirror Lake

Things to do on a rainy day

There's loads of fun to be had even if the weather is bad - try our favourite things to do when it's rainy at Sizergh.

Pull on your waterproofs and explore the wetland - take refuge in the bird hide and see what you can spot in the wetland
Get muddy in the woodland wild play trail
Make for the house and complete the scallop trail
Shelter in the cafe and enjoy cake and a cup of tea, and then have a browse in the shop