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Father and two children looking up in wonder at display in Ham House
Exploring Ham House | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Family-friendly places to visit in London

Discover the top places for family days out in and around London this winter. Make memories to treasure on family walks in beautiful surroundings and connect with nature together in the great outdoors. Get into the Christmas spirit with our festive family events or take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the stories of the historic houses in our care.

Plan ahead for Christmas in London

Sparkly season is here! Enjoy a family day out to National Trust places this Christmas. Immerse yourself in glowing celestial inspired decorations with Stars of Wonder at Ham House & Garden, take part in story telling sessions or a family trail and Morden Hall Park and revel in vibrant Divali decorations at Osterley Park & House.

Christmas at Ham House and Garden 

Join us this festive season for Stars of Wonder: Christmas 2025 at Ham House and Garden, with spectacular trees, twinkling candlelight, family-friendly games and more.

Christmas decorations including a large Christmas tree on the black and white tiled floor in the Great Hall at Ham House and Garden, Surrey

Christmas at Morden Hall Park 

The festive season is just around the corner and Morden Hall Park is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit. Discover unique and sustainable gifts in our Garden Centre, second-hand bookshop and Young Makers Market, pick out the perfect Christmas tree, and enjoy winter walks through the park. Afterwards, warm up with seasonal treats in the Potting Shed Café. Make Morden Hall Park your go-to this Christmas.

A photograph of an person dressed up as an elf sitting on a chair holding a book. The room is decorated in a Christmas theme with a Christmas tree in the centre of the image.

Family wreath making at Rainham Hall 

Book now for a special family-friendly wreath making session at Rainham Hall on 29 November. All materials and a hot drink at the start of the session are included. Tickets are for 1 adult and 2 children per wreath.

A father and two happy children make Christmas decorations, putting cloves into oranges. There are Christmas wreaths in the background

Marigold Festival at Osterley Park and House 

Until 4 Jan 2026, come and see Osterley Park and House transformed with dazzling displays of light, music, and marigolds as part of the first ever Marigold Festival, celebrating how marigolds are used as a celebratory flower in South Asia. Building on the Diwali celebrations earlier in the year, the decorations will be in place throughout the Christmas period for you to enjoy, with rangolis and light projections. Watch this space for details to follow of sari fabric wreath making workshops too.

Isleworth, Middlesex

Partially open today
Yellow, red and orange shola pith (indian cork) displayed in rangoli artwork

Plan your family day out

Ham House and Garden 

Head to the Outer Courtyard where little people will love getting stuck into the Mud Kitchen, using imaginative play to create culinary masterpieces. The Wilderness is a wonderful place to explore too, with over a mile of Hornbeam hedges arranged in a maze-like pattern.

A family looking at paintings in the Long Gallery at Ham House and Garden, Surrey

Osterley Park and House 

From bike rides to den building, discover the full range of family-friendly activities and events taking place at Osterley Park.

A family walking in the grounds at Osterley Park and House, London

Morden Hall Park 

Explore the natural play area, spot wildlife from the boardwalk and enjoy a family walk at Morden Hall Park, with pushchair friendly routes available. Wander into the second hand book shop for a treasure trove of stories.

Visitors watch for birds through binoculars at Morden Hall Park, London

Family visits at Rainham Hall & Gardens this Autumn 

Family nature activities and games to do together at a beautiful hidden gem in east London, Rainham Hall and Community Garden.

Children exploring the garden at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Park Explorers for under 5s, Mondays during term time at Morden Hall Park 

10am to 10.45am Mondays in term time. Our Park Explorers group is for children aged 2-5 years old and their parents/carers. Together we learn about the natural world around us, with a different outdoor theme each week. £5 per participating child. Drop in on the day, no pre-booking possible, places limited.

Two children, one wearing a bike helmet, look over a fence into the community garden at Morden Hall Park in London

Outdoor activities in London 

There are plenty of ways to get active with all the outdoor activities available at National Trust places in London.

A smiling boy rides a red bicycle on a parkland trail

Walking in London 

From acres of parkland at Osterley Park to walks along the River Thames with historic views to Ham House, discover where to go for the best walks in London.

A family walking in the autumn at Morden Hall Park, London.

Places to eat in London 

Discover some favourite tea-rooms and cafés in London and plan where to stop for a tasty treat on your next adventure

Family members sat outside the café at Osterley Park and House, London

Winter crafts and activities

Make scented orange slice tree decorations 

Learn how to make simple and sustainable Christmas decorations with orange slices and cloves. You can either adorn your own Christmas tree or give them as a gift.

Christmas tree decorated with traditional ornaments and a family in the background at Cragside, Northumberland

Mince pie brownies 

A festive twist on a classic brownie, these indulgent mince pie brownies make for a great dessert and are a great way to use up any leftover mince pies.

A stack of mince pie brownies on a cooling rack

Make fat cakes for birds 

Encourage birds to visit your garden or outdoor space throughout winter and early spring by making these nourishing fat cakes. They're also a great way to make use of your food scraps and yoghurt pots.

Homemade bird feeders at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Exterior view of Fenton House and Garden, London. The gardens include an orchard, kitchen garden, rose garden and formal terraces and lawns.

Discover more in London

From thriving wetlands to sprawling estates, intimate spaces and modernist masterpieces, London has it all, if you know where to look.

Explore London

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