Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh

We want everyone to feel informed and at ease once they arrive here, so we have a set of videos to help you orientate yourself before you get here. The access page has more detailed information about accessibility, and is also home to virtual arrival tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled videos about this.

To learn what to expect when you visit the garden, watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled versions.

If you're planning to take a walk on the estate, you can watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled versions.

For the house, watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled and audio described versions.

The café is open every day, offering 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. Lunch is served until 2:30pm, with cakes, drinks and ice cream served until close. See the menu here.

The Kiosk on the veranda serves drinks, light bites and ice cream.

There is space on the grass outside the Visitor Centre, with benches, if you'd like to bring your own lunch or a picnic. There's a bench halfway round the wooded knoll and on the grass as you leave the knoll.

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.

Have lots of fun this summer at Sizergh from 28 June to 31 August.

Nature play in the orchard

Check out the sensory cube, and see what you can see, smell and hear in the orchard – including chocolate mint! Try your hand at some musical instruments. There’ll also be pop up cress growing on selected days.

Performance play on the castle lawn

Be transported back in time with lawn games and dressing up, inspired by archival footage from the family archive - scan the QR code to see footage of games in the garden and a garden party. Or follow the scallop trail in the house to trace 800 years of family history.

Creative play on the Holeslack access trail

Join internationally renowned storyteller, Emily Hennessey, on a free guided Story Walk, meandering through ancient woodland and hearing tales of brave children and trickster spiders.

Loose parts play outside the Visitor Centre

Have a go at playing with the wooden blocks on the grass – an ice cream from the Kiosk is optional but recommended.

Active play on the wild play trail

Have a wild adventure and explore the new and improved wild play trail.

Why not enjoy an ice cream in the cafe or relax at a shady picnic spot in the garden? Put your sun hat on and come and make the most of being outdoors this summer. Pick up a map from Visitor Reception when you arrive.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank and supported by Sport England.

21 June, 11am-12:3pm and 2-3:30pm

Journey into the noise of nature with sound artist Dan Fox.

Alongside sound artist Dan Fox you’ll take a journey on the Sizergh estate like no other. Be immersed in the sounds of nature from big to miniscule and weird and wonderful with Dan’s specialist microphones. You’ll hear through your own headset sounds which would usually pass us by, so prepare to be amazed and nature-dazzled!

Booking is essential.

23 & 30 July, 11am-12:30pm & 2-3:30pm

6, 13, 17 & 31 August, 11am-12:30pm & 2-3:30pm

Take a family friendly nature’s story walk through Sizergh’s countryside with internationally renowned storyteller Emily Hennessey. Book your free place here.

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
• Put your hood up and take a stroll through ancient woodland on the Holeslack trail, spotting weird and wonderful fungi
• Shelter in the cafe and enjoy cake and a cup of tea, and then have a browse in the shop
• Discover the scallop trail in the house, and trace 800 years of family history

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. 1 get to know a tree on the Holeslack access trail
• No. 9 eat a picnic in the wild - there are benches on the grass outside the Visitor Centre, or on the Knoll

• 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