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.
Family-friendly places in Liverpool and Lancashire
Plan your 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 rain or shine.
Family days out in Liverpool and Lancashire
Discover natural landscapes, historic houses, play areas and outdoor adventures with all the family.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
School holidays in the North West
Looking for family things to do during May half term? Or looking ahead to plan your summer holiday adventures? We've got lots of nature and history inspired things for you and your kids to try.
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Become an adventurer at Rufford Old Hall
Grab an adventure backpack to see what interesting insects and mini-beasts you can find, try on suits of armour inside the hall, or bring a family picnic to enjoy next to the canal.
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Adventurous play at Speke Hall
Zoom along the 30-foot zip wire, make a magical den, go bird (and plane!) spotting, or make your own scavenger hunt at Speke Hall. Plus, littler ones will enjoy the gated play area, which includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout.
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Get crafty at Gawthorpe Hall
Be inspired by the Victorian tiles, patterns and decorations at Gawthorpe Hall to make your own marvellous mosaic, or have a go at making your own charm or pendant.
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Different activities each day at Dunham Massey
Find more ways to connect with nature at Dunham Massey with a week of changing activities. Listen to music on the lawn, jump into a new story with Trafford Libraries, and create blossom origami.
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Play your way at Quarry Bank
Enter the brand-new play hub inside Quarry Bank’s mill. With soft play, a dressing-up wardrobe, a stage, puppets, and giant board games, come rain or shine there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained.
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Nature filled fun at Lyme
Have a nature-filled May half term at Lyme. Flutter around garden wearing your butterfly wings, follow the ‘spring things’ family trail, and find blossom themed artwork that’s been created by local community groups.
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Engage your senses at Little Moreton Hall
Discover how the wildlife that calls Little Moreton Hall home use their senses to thrive and survive. Will you move in stealth mode like a hunting owl? Or like a bee can you recognise different flowers just by touch?
Summer of Play – coming soon
This summer you’re invited to play your way at the places we care for. Jam-packed with games and experiences, the family-festival will take you inside play hubs, craft zones, book nooks and mini-stages.
Play areas in Liverpool and Lancashire
There’s nothing quite like playing outdoors. Swooshing down slides, clambering over logs and letting your imagination run wild. It’s no wonder that play areas are an essential part of many family days out. Here are some top places to play in Liverpool and Lancashire.
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Speke Hall
There are two play areas at Speke Hall. Let older kids run wild, take on exciting challenges or zoom down a zip line in the woodland play area. The gated play area, with wheelchair-accessible equipment, is a safe place for littler adventurers to explore while you enjoy a coffee on the nearby picnic benches.
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Gawthorpe Hall
Kids can skip along woodland paths, play hide 'n' seek and get closer to the natural landscape at Gawthorpe Hall's woodland play area. With stepping stones and walls to climb on, they're sure to be tired out in no time!
Rainy day activities for kids
When it rains you have two options: find some indoor fun or grab your waterproofs and get stuck in! Luckily we have loads of suggestions for both…
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Explore the house at Speke Hall
Step inside the Tudor house to 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.
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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!
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Top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to do when it’s raining
We've compiled a selection of items from the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list that are perfect for rainy days, so grab your waterproofs and get involved.
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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.
Best activities for teenagers
Discover a world of endless adventures with our pick of some of the best things for teenagers to do in Liverpool and Lancashire. Round up your friends and family and get exploring.
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Become a budding photographer
Full of far-reaching views and picturesque buildings, the places we care for are a young photographer’s dream. The black-and-white Tudor houses at Rufford and Speke make for striking photos, while the Lancashire views from Holcombe Moor will help you hone your landscape shots. Visit Hardmans’ 1950s photography studio to get some inspiration or click here for our top photography tips.
Create art with nature’s materials
Build dens or create natural masterpieces as a family. Rufford Old Hall has a dedicated nature play area that is full of brightly coloured leaves, twigs and fallen branches. There’s plenty of woodland to explore at Speke Hall too.
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Follow the footsteps of Charlotte Brontë
Did you know that Charlotte Brontë visited Gawthorpe Hall in 1850 to stay with her friends Sir James and Lady Kay-Shuttleworth? The author of Jane Eyre described the Hall as ‘...grey, stately and picturesque, a model of old English architecture’. Today Gawthorpe is the final stop on the long-distance ‘Brontë Way’ walking route.
Tuck into a sweet treat
Rounding off the day with a sweet treat and hot drink are a key part of any visit. From breakfast baps and toasties, to doughnuts and brownies, and lots of vegan options, we’ve got something for everyone. Or grab a coffee to takeaway before your walk – we’ll even give you 25p off your drink if you bring your own reusable cup.
Family adventures further afield
Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.
Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester
Plan your a family day out in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. We've got play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains.
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. Make the most of your membership and visit somewhere new.
Family-friendly places in Yorkshire
Plan an adventure in Yorkshire this spring. With play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains. Bring the whole family to make memories during your time together.
Family-friendly places in the North East
Enjoy loads of great days out with the kids in the North East this spring with events, activities and lots of fun to be had indoors and outdoors. Discover nature-inspired walks, houses to explore and play areas to let off steam. There's something for younger and older kids, and great ways for the whole family to play together near you.