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Family-friendly things to do at Lyveden
- Published:
- 28 April 2023
If you're looking for somewhere where the children can let off some steam, Lyveden is the perfect place for a family day out. From spotting birds and fish on the moat to discovering what's growing in the orchard there's lots of fun to be had in the great outdoors.
Planning your family visit
Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Lyveden:
- Baby-changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet in the Manor courtyard area
- Snacks, hot food and drinks are available from the restaurant
- The picnic area is located by the car park
- Most of Lyveden is accessed via grass paths. Surfaces can be uneven and slippy if wet.
Family fun at Lyveden
From getting to know a tree, to searching for wild animal clues, or discovering what's in a pond and walking barefoot, adventure awaits at Lyveden. Look out for seasonal trails and school holiday activities to keep the whole family active and outdoors year-long.
Autumn in the orchard
Find the recipe - family trail
Saturday 9 September to Sunday 8 October, 10am - 4pm
Get hunting in the orchard and fill in the blanks on a recipe card. Pick up the free trail sheet from our friendly visitor welcome team and start hunting.
Apple archery
Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 and Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 September, 11am - 3.30pm
Channel your inner William Tell for this autumnal archery challenge. Using our soft archer set, you'll be challenged to knock an apple from it's perch. (£1)
Tudor Hallowtide
Discover the traditions of a Tudor Halloween season. Experience a more natural and thoughtful way to celebrate the transition from autumn to winter by joining us for a playful exploration of our orchard.
Tudor Hallowtide - family trail
Friday 13 - Sunday 29 October, 10am - 4pm
Throughout half term we have a trail inspired by the Tudors' love of apple bobbing. Pick up a free trail sheet from our friendly visitor welcome team and start hunting for giant apples in the orchard.
Outdoor Tuesday
Tuesday 24 October, 11am-3.30pm
Enjoy the outdoors this autumn with an activity inspired by a Tudor Hallowe'en
Wild Hallowe'en masks
Thursday 26 October, 11am - 3.30pm
Use natural materials to create your own mask to scare off any trouble makers this Hallowe'en (£1).
Hallowe'en storytelling with Marion Leeper
Saturday 28 October, 5.30pm
Listen to some spooky stories by the fire. The earlier performance is intended for a family audience with funny, spooky, join-in stories with the occasional jump.
Festive family fun
'Game of goose' family trail
Friday 24 November to Monday 1 January
Discover 'the Game of Goose' - a favourite Tudor board game. Follow the trail and track down some festive family fun and take home your own board to colour in and play yourself. £2, booking not required.
An Elizabethan Christmas - carol concert with Eboracum Baroque
Friday 24 November, 6pm
Eboracum Barqoue will delight us with their Elizabethan twist on some festive favourites. £15 (adults), £10 (children).
Board games in the café
Saturday 25 November and 2, 9 and 16 December, 11am-3pm
Cosy up in our festive café and indulge in a favourite Tudor pastime - playing board games!
Advent crafts
Sunday 26 November and 3, 10 and 17 December, 11am-3pm
Get crafty in the run-up to Christmas with a new Tudor Christmas-inspired craft each week. £1, booking not required.
Spookily festive storytelling with Marion Leeper
Friday 15 December, 5pm
Indulge in a Tudor festive favourite and listen to some spooky stories by the fire. The earlier performance is intended for a family audience with funny, spooky, join-in stories with the occasional jump.
Festive birdfeeders
Thursday 28 December, 11am - 3pm
Make a mince pie... for a bird! Use some familiar ingredients to make a birdfeeder which will help keep your local birds feeling festive. £1, booking not required.
'50 things to do before you're 11¾'
Are you ready to tick some activities off your list of '50 things to do before you're 11¾'? There are plenty of things to try at Lyveden, whatever the weather. Here are just a few to get you started:
- No. 4 Build a den: Check out the Spinney and make yourself a den - What will your den be? A meeting place for spies, a pirate hideout or maybe a fairy castle for the night?
- No. 7 Fly a kite: It doesn’t have to be blowing a gale – a simple box kite will take off in a breeze. Bring your own and run around the meadows and watch it fly
- No. 31 Make friends with a bug: Look in the grass, check tree bark and look under stones to see what bugs you can find
- No. 34 Discover wild animal clues: Can you see the tracks made by the deer and sheep? They make flattened grass paths to get to their favourite spots and you might see their hoof prints if it's muddy around the site
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Family-friendly places to visit
There are lots of things to do when you visit one of our family-friendly places. Find inspiration for days out and discover a range of activities for everyone.
‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Fancy running free in the fresh air, learning new skills and trying new things? Grab your gear and start your adventure.