Family-friendly things to do at Morden Hall Park

Children playing on play park at Morden Hall Park, London — Children playing at Morden Hall Park, London | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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.

The great reindeer hunt trail

Until Sunday 4 January

For families, join us for The Great Reindeer Hunt trail around the park. Father Christmas has lost his reindeers, can you help find them? Pick up a trail sheet, follow the clues and enjoy a fun festive walk around the park. £2 per trail, available from the Garden Centre until Sunday 4 January.

Big park birdwatch

Saturday 17 January

Discover our feathered friends of Morden Hall Park in winter. We’ll be hosting bird walks throughout the day, with expert volunteers on hand to help with bird ID and to show you the best birdwatching spots across the 125-acre parkland and riverside wetlands. Find our Gazebo by the White Bridge Lawn.

A photograph of a kingfisher sitting on a branch in Wetland at Morden Hall Park — A kingfishers at Morden Hall Park, London | © Frederick Bryan

February Half term fun at Morden Hall Park

Robin's Winter Adventure Trail

Sat 14 Feb – Sun 22 Mar

Discover the winter world of robins! Follow a family‑friendly trail that reveals how these red-breasted birds stay warm, search for food, and defend their territory during the colder months. Along the route, enjoy simple interactive games and spot nature clues that bring the robin’s survival skills to life. Trail sheets are just £2, available to pick up from the Garden Centre.

Storytime and Nature Connection

Tuesday 17 February

If you’ve enjoyed our popular forest bathing events, you know the physical and mental benefits of connecting with nature. Now, experienced facilitator Nigel Grimes brings that expertise to help families. On Tuesday, 17 February, join Nigel for a reading of his new children’s book and a 45-minute guided session in the rose garden, sharing techniques to help parents and kids embrace nature, reduce anxiety and rediscover the joy of slow time outdoors. Suitable for ages 5+. £6 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Book a space

Lunar New Year celebration

Wednesday 18 February

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with creative craft sessions in the Stableyard Exhibition Space with Play Mandarin. Then welcome in the Year of the Horse with our free dragon dance starting in the Stableyard at 1pm. Craft sessions run at 10am, 11am, and 12pm, last 45 minutes, and are suitable for ages 3+. Booking essential. £10 per child.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Danger - Shallow Water

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.

Family-friendly things to do in the parkland

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.

Find out more about Park Explorers

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.

The route has been created by Mole Valley Orienteering Club and you can download the map from their website or the Go Orienteering website.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

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).
Click here to access the full Accessibility Guide for Morden Hall Park
There are buggy-friendly pathways around the park (you can find a map here).
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.
Your are welcome to breastfeed here.
Our full park regulations can be found here.