Family-friendly things to do at Canons Ashby

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Canons Ashby:

• There are baby-changing facilities in the area outside the unisex accessible toilet and the ladies toilet. These are available to all.
• High chairs available - Please ask the team for help with your baby food if it needs to be heated.
• Pocket money books and games are available in the Coach House shop
• You're welcome to picnic in the Paddock and Parkland, but not the formal gardens
• Family trails can be picked up from visitor reception
• The grass can be uneven and boggy in some areas of the wider parkland and may not be suitable for pushchairs
• The garden has loose gravel paths that may not be suitable for some pushchairs and there are steps and slopes throughout.

Family-friendly events

Bugs and Beasties Trail

7 February - 27 March, 10 am - 3pm. Normal admission applies and no booking needed. 

As part of your visit to Canons Ashby, wrap up warm and get outside in the fresh air for our Bugs and Beasties Trail. Pick up a free trail at Visitor Reception and enjoy some nature fun whilst making memories with your little ones.

Snowdrop Stories

7 February - 7 March, 10am - 3pm. Normal admission applies and no booking needed. 

Snowdrops bring the hope of spring, looking ahead to light and warmth whilst it’s still cold outside. On your visit to Canons Ashby, stop to admire the bright white blooms and discover some new stories. Suitable for families or story-loving adults.

Easter Adventures at Canons Ashby

28 March - 12 April, 10am - 4pm. Normal admission and £3.50 per trail. No booking needed. 

This spring get outside and make lasting memories together at Canons Ashby on our Easter Adventures Trail. Make your way along the route to find activities inspired by our feathered friends who flit and fly around Canons Ashby. There will be a dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg at the end.

Plant a Sunflower

2 - 4 May, 11am - 2pm.. Normal admission applies and £1 per sunflower. No booking needed. 

Plant a sunflower seedling in a compostable pot to take home and grow at home! At home, you can plant your sunflower outside in the ground, or in a bigger pot. Come back later in the summer to see how big our sunflowers in the garden are getting. 

Canons Ashby Book Fair

23 - 31 May, 10am - 4pm. Normal admission applies and no booking needed. 

Our books speak volumes! Come to the medieval Priory Church and browse a wide selection of books which have been donated by our supporters. Head over to the medieval Priory Church and browse a wide selection of donated books. We have all genres from crime to cakes, new and old. Stock up for your summer holidays whilst raising funds for our special place.

The Three Musketeers performed by Illyria

Saturday 18 July, 6pm - 8.15pm. Adult £17, child £11. Pre booking essentail. 

All for One; One for All! Young D’Artagnan is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. But are his swashbuckling credentials sufficient? This is outdoor theatre at its best in the paddock of Canons Ashby. 

Young Archaeologists in Training! part of the Festival of Archaeology

Thursday 23 July, 10.30am - 12pm. Child £12 (must be accompanied by an adult). Pre booking essential. 

Young Archeologists (and their accompanying adults): join the team for a morning workshop to find out all about how archaeology works, the basics of what you need to uncover evidence of the past and get hands on with history!

Nature Explorer Tuesdays

4, 11, 18 and 25 August, 11am - 2pm. Normal admission applies. 

Bring the kids and enjoy activities connected with nature and the great outdoors. Whether it’s wild art, or wildlife spotting, there’s something to try every Tuesday of August.