Explore the outdoors and get involved in fun, family-friendly activities at Morden Hall Park. Whether you’re ticking some activities off your list of '50 things to do before you're 11¾', there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Find out what family events are coming up and how best to plan your day with children in mind.
Summer family outdoor theatre
Get together with friends and family this school holidays for outdoor theatre in the Rose Garden. Grab a picnic or buy pizzas from the outlet near the Snuff Mill bridge, and settle on the lawn for some early evening entertainment that all the family will enjoy.
Immersion Theatre returns to Morden Hall Park with a hilarious and engaging performance of The Jungle Book in the rose garden. Join Mowgli and his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, on a madcap jungle adventure as they attempt to outwit a slithering snake, some cheeky monkeys, and the fierce tiger, Shere Khan! Expect fun songs, charming characters and plenty of interactive fun. Suitable for ages 4 and up. Tickets £12/child, £16/adult.
A wooden puppet runs away yearning for adventure, but instead finds cruel bosses, con-artists and exciting attractions which always contain hidden dangers. How can he ever become a real boy when the lies he tells are as plain as the nose on his face? Multi international award-winning Illyria has an unmatched reputation for excellence, forged over three decades, that dominates the outdoor touring theatre sector. Join them this summer for a memorable afternoon of laughter and romance. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Tickets £12/child, £16/adult.
The tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Fri 7 and Sat 8 August
Quantum Theatre are back with an enchanting new adaptation of two of Beatrix Potter’s best-loved Tales, The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves in all sorts of scrapes, caught In a net, trapped by a snarling cat and face to face with Mr McGregor himself! Suitable for ages 3 and up. Tickets £12/child, £16/adult.
On this day the nation celebrates it's nature rich meadows so why not head down to Morden Hall Park and find out more about how we look after the hay meadow in the park. By the end of June, our meadow will be bursting with wildflowers and mini-beasts so it's the perfect time to sweep the meadows with nets to see what creatures can be found. Free, drop in.
Undercover Readers - A top secret trail
Monday 29 Jul - Sunday 6 Sep
Pick up our FREE top secret trail sheet from the Information Point, Cafe or Garden Centre and head out into the park in search of clues with riddles to solves as part of the National Year of Reading. Collect all the stamps and pick up a special prize at the end. Along the way, visit the Story Den filled with books to explore and inspire.
Children's Centre Storytime Stomp
every Thursday between 23 July - 27 August
Head down to the fenced area by Stableyard Picnic seating, where you'll find Merton Libraries sharing their favourite stories. A free drop-in event taking place every Thursday between 23 July - 27 August as part of the National Year of Reading campaign.
Henry the Heron's Riverbank Self-led trail
until Monday 31 August
Pick up a trail sheet from the Garden Centre and cafes for just £2 and come and explore the River Wandle and the wildlife that lives there. Perfect for curious minds of all ages.
Bat Walks
Fri 24 July, Sat 1 & Sat 8 August
Come on a twilight walk around the park in search of bats. On the walk, you'll learn about these elusive nocturnal creatures and use bat detectors to hear their calls and identify the different breeds that live in the park. Bring a torch if you have one. Booking essential. £7 adults, £5 children.
Park Explorers - term time activities for under 5s
Every Monday in term time
Visit every Monday in term time for fun nature-based activities and stories in the park. The perfect location for early years learning. Meet at the picnic lawn near the Snuff Mill. £5 per child.
The riverbed depth is less than one meter. Jumping or diving from the Snuff Mill Bridge poses a high risk of injury. Although the river may seem inviting, the water quality is unsuitable for general paddling and swimming. Your cooperation in avoiding the water helps protect river wildlife and prevents damage to the banks.
Natural play area
Let off some steam in the natural play area (just past the white bridge) where you can climb, balance, swing and leap. There's plenty to keep your imagination active and your feet busy – what memories will you take home with you?
Go orienteering
Add an extra challenge to your walk or run through Morden Halk Park and have a go at orienteering. Whether you're walking with family, exploring an area or going for a run, download the map and look for the 14 posts in the park. Your challenge is to find the quickest route to each of the posts.
Whether you've come to fly your kite in the meadows or to look for birds in the wetland, there are lots of '50 things' activities you can try on a day out at Morden Hall Park. Here's a few suggestions to get you started:
No. 1 Get to know a tree: Pick your favourite tree and visit it each time you come to the park. You could even take a photograph of it in each season to record the way it looks from spring all the way through to winter
No. 7 Fly a kite: If there's a bit of wind in the air when you visit Morden Hall Park, head into the wide open spaces of the meadows to see if you can get a kite up into the sky
No. 8 Spot a fish: Keep your eyes peeled along the stretch of river by the main green gates – the shade of the trees here makes this a good place to spot fish. There are six types of fish swimming in the River Wandle as it winds through the park, including eels
No. 12 Have fun with sticks: There's nothing a stick can't become with a little imagination: a magic wand, a conductor’s baton or even a knight’s sword. And with over 3,000 trees in the park you're bound to find a few lying on the ground to choose from
No. 19 Play Pooh sticks: The White Bridge at Morden Hall Park was voted the one of the top places in the country to play this fun game. Just choose a good stick each, let them go on one side of the bridge and see whose stick comes out first on the other side
No. 44 Watch a bird: If you’re quiet enough you’ll be surprised what shy wetland species you can catch a glimpse of. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, mallards and herons.
Planning your family visit
Baby-changing facilities are available in the Stable Yard, Snuff Mill and Potting Shed café (when open).
Ball games are allowed in the parkland but not allowed in the historic Rose Garden.
Spend hours in Natural Play Area
The Potting Shed café is located next to the car park with indoor and outdoor seating areas, offering a children's menu and high-chairs are also available.
During weekend and school holidays we open an additional outlet in the Stableyard serving snacks, drinks and ice cream. There are also plenty of picnic benches around the Stableyard to sit down and enjoy your own picnics. Large picnics are welcome in the White Bridge lawns, but not in the Rose Garden.
Pocket money gifts are available to buy in the Garden Centre
Children second-hand books are available to buy in the second-hand bookshop in the Stableyard.
Enjoy freshly prepared tasty snacks and cakes at a choice of two cafés and pick up the perfect read at the second-hand bookshop, all supporting the National Trust’s work.
From river and wetland walks, to remnants of the park's history and an adventure playground for the little ones, see how the park changes along with the seasons.
