Skip to content
A female toddler in a blue woolly hat and white raincoat handling leaves
Explore the autumn woodland, Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly places in Liverpool and Lancashire

Plan your next family day out in Liverpool and Lancashire. From the beauty of the great outdoors and amazing histories to play areas, balance bikes and even a maze, there's something for the whole family to enjoy this winter, rain or shine.

Places to visit with all the family in winter

Discover natural landscapes, historic houses, play areas and outdoor adventures with all the family.

Visitors exploring the Hedge Maze at Speke Hall, Liverpool
Article
Article

Speke Hall 

There's always adventure to be had at Speke Hall, whenever you visit. Have you ever played vegetable musical instruments? Solved a mind-boggling hedge maze? Zoomed along a zip wire? Made your own woodland den? Discover the fun activities your family can enjoy here.

Family enjoying a walk in the grounds at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
Article
Article

Rufford Old Hall 

There’s so much for families to do – you can borrow a balance bike, explore the surrounding gardens and woodland, discover the dedicated area for nature play and set your imagination free inside the house.

A family exploring the North Parterre at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire
Article
Article

Gawthorpe Hall 

From discovering the majestic woods where children can enjoy the natural play area and views across Pendle Hill, to exploring inside the Hall’s stunning historic rooms that show what life was like in the Victorian period for the Kay-Shuttleworth family who once resided there.

The vast estuarial flats of Morecombe Bay at ow tide from Heysham Coast, Lancashire
Article
Article

Heysham Coast 

Explore this hidden gem on the Lancashire coast, with magnificent cliff-top views and plenty of room for little legs to run free.

Things to do when it rains

When it rains you have two options: find somewhere indoors to explore or grab your waterproofs and get stuck in! Luckily we have loads of suggestions for both…

A woman and child looking wondrously inside a room at Speke Hall
Article
Article

Explore the house at Speke Hall 

Step inside the Tudor house and follow 'The Servants' Secret Trail' or see if you can find the portrait of local legend, the Child of Hale who was said to have been over 9 feet tall! Make sure to bring your waterproofs and explore the fun Giant Child of Hale play trail in the woods if the weather clears up.

Visitors at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
Article
Article

Play pretend at Rufford Old Hall 

The house at Rufford is filled with fascinating treasures and stories. Imaginations will run free when little ones spot the suits of armour in the Great Hall – and they can escape even further into their own story by dressing up like a Tudor lady or gentleman!

Children's feet in wellington boots  jumping in puddles at Sheffield Park, East Sussex
Article
Article

Embrace the rain at Gawthorpe Hall 

Don’t let the rain keep you at home – there’s plenty of activities that you can get up to no matter the weather at Gawthorpe Hall. Put on your wellies and splash in muddy puddles, or create a modern art masterpiece from squishy mud – you can find inspiration with ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities.

Looking from the limestone outcrop across Morecombe Bay at Heysham Coast, Lancashire
Article
Article

See crashing waves at the Heysham Coast 

Grab your waterproofs and enjoy a seaside stroll at the Heysham Coast. It has a history of saints, shipwrecks and graves, all against the backdrop of Morecambe Bay. Watch the tides changing and the stormy weather bringing in crashing waves.

Family adventures further afield

Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.

A woman and toddler lay playing in the snow next to a frozen pond.

Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester 

Plan a Christmas adventure in Cheshire and Greater Manchester, with play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains, there's something for the whole family this winter.

A family enjoying a winter walk along the lakeshore at Fell Foot in the Lake District

Family-friendly places in the Lake District 

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District – seek out natural play areas, scramble over rocks and spot wildlife on your way.

A man and child explore the ruins of Fountains Abbey. The man is holding the little girl as they look up at the stone walls of the abbey.

Family-friendly places in Yorkshire 

Plan an adventure in Yorkshire this winter, with play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rain. There's something for the whole family.

A family walking across the Iron Bridge that spans Debdon Burn between the walled garden and the house at Cragside, with a view of the Victorian mansion in the background, surrounded by trees.

Family-friendly places in the North East 

Enjoy great family days out in the North East this winter. From festive woodland walks to the best play areas and explorer trails through houses and castles. There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained come rain or shine.

Visitors in the garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire: a child stands on railings with the house in the background

Discover more in Liverpool and Lancashire

Journey from a Tudor house to the childhood homes of Lennon & McCartney via coastal pinewoods and a photographic time capsule.