Family playing with autumn leaves in the garden at Osterley Park, London, with the house in the background — A family enjoying an autumn walk at Osterley Park and 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 autumn. Make memories to treasure on an autumn colour walk and connect with nature together in the great outdoors. Get spooky with our Halloween trails and activities for October half-term or take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the stories of the historic houses in our care.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ trail at Ham House and Garden

1 September – 12 October. Join us for one of nature’s greatest transformations as you become the world’s most famous caterpillar from Eric Carle’s best-selling book The Very Hungry Caterpillar™. Wiggle along the trail to spot juicy fruits and tasty snacks before emerging as a beautiful butterfly. Daily 10am to 5pm, last admission 4.30pm. Free with normal admission, no need to book.

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

10am to10.45am 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.

An adult lifts a child up so she can reach the falling autumn leaves from a tree at Morden Hall Park, London. The child is smiling and holds a large handful of yellow coloured autumn leaves.

Spider Secrets Trail at Morden Hall Park

Saturday 27 September - Sunday 2 November. Discover the spindly secrets of eight spiders hiding in Morden Hall Park. Complete a fun task at each stop to collect hidden letters and solve the mystery word in their web. The trail requires a pencil or pen so please bring one with you if you can. Daily, 10am to 4pm. £3 per trail, no need to book.

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt ™ Halloween Adventure at Osterley Park and House.

11 October to 2 November. Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the bunnies are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Osterley with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way. This trail is ideal for preschoolers and young children. Daily, 10am to 5pm, last admission 4.30pm. Free trail with normal admission.

An illustration showing four bunny characters from the We're Going on a Ghost Hunt ™ book

Stranger Folk digital adventure at Ham House and Garden

Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November. Download the Stranger Folk app, to start your spooky adventure, filled with goblins, old magic and more. Follow the folklore-inspired game on a mobile phone and work together to discover the story behind strange goings on. Suitable for families with children aged 7 to 12 years. Daily, 10am to 5pm, last admission 4.30pm. Free with normal admission.

On a black background, strange creatures in blue and white are 'dancing'

Pumpkin Carving for families at Rainham Hall

Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 October. Join us for spooky fun this October half-term. Booking essential for carving, £4 per pumpkin, card payment only. Children need to be supervised at all times.

Close up of a family carving pumpkins at a table outside

Pumpkin Carving at Morden Hall Park

Tuesday 28 October and Wed 29 October, 11am to 4pm. This October half-term, step into the spooky Stableyard to select your pumpkin and create your crazy carving to take home for Halloween. We provide all the tools required and clean up all the mess! £6 per pumpkin, no need to book.

Close up of several orange and white pumpkins carved with Hallowe'en- themed faces

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.