Family fun at Cragside

A girl in a grey top swooping down a tunnel slide head-first at Cragside. She has reach the bottom and is laughing. — Zip, slide and glide at the adventure play area | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Enjoy a jam-packed day with the kids on your visit to Cragside this October half term. There are lots of things to see, do and explore, for a great day out.

Top tips for exploring Cragside with the kids

The terrain at Cragside is varied. It is rocky and gravelly in places with a few hills climbs when you’re out and about. Sturdy footwear for everyone in your group is essential and, if it’s been raining, make sure you’ve packed your wellies and waterproofs too. The ground can be muddy.

Exploring with buggies and pushchairs

Walking to the play area and routes around Tumbleton Lake and Nelly's Moss Lakes are accessible with a buggy however paths are gravelly, rocky and include hills in places.

Toilets and baby change

Toilets at baby change facilities can be found at the visitor centre, Crozier car park next to the play area, and the House.

Picnic area and benches

Picnic benches can be found across Cragside but some of our favourites with the kids are Crozier (next to the play area), at the top of the rocky banks of Nelly’s Moss and around Tumbleton Lake, right next to the visitor centre.

There are lots of places to stop and take a breather when you’re out exploring. There are benches at the tops of hills and nestled under trees so you can take a moment to rest your legs and enjoy the views too.

A family, one adult and three children walking along a path at Cragside. — Look out for wildlife and nature as you explore the paths around the play area | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Adventure play area

Nearest car park is Crozier
Swoop, slide, climb and glide at the adventure play area. The kids can test their balancing skills on the log mountain, climb to dizzy heights on the witch's hat and slide down the tunnels. There's plenty of space to run around and make friends with picnic benches nearby to enjoy snacks and nibbles.

How to get to the play area

Parking at Crozier car park is highly recommended. To get to the car park, drive through the archways of the House to join the Carriage Drive, a 6-mile loop of the estate. Crozier car park is roughly half way round and well sign-posted.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk to the play area too. This route includes a steep climb on a gravel path.

The walking route to the play area starts on the slope between the main car park and the House. Look out for the sign on your left as you walk down the bank towards the House.
Take this path up hill. After a while, the gravel path levels out.
Keep following the path until you reach a T-junction. Turn right.
After a short distance you will come across Slipper Lake – a small lake nestled between the trees. Keep following the path straight on so the lake remains on your left and take the path ahead of you.
This path bends round to the left and after a short distance you will reach Crozier Drive. Ahead of you, you’ll see a large gate. Walk around this gate. The play area is on your right.

Trim Trail

Nearest car park is Crozier
Hop across tyres, swing between bars and climb over cargo ropes on the trim trail. There are four sets of frames to discover on the path between the play area and the labyrinth. Perfect for the ultimate game of the floor is lava!

Labyrinth

The labyrinth is temporarily closed due to water-logged paths.
The labyrinth is a giant maze cut into a forest of rhododendron. Hunt for William the Wizard, create your own tale of courageous quests in the storyteller’s chair and see if you can find Nelly’s Den at the heart of the labyrinth. The collection of weaving paths can get extra muddy when it rains, so bring some waterproofs for a wellie wander. You’re never too old for a splash through the puddles!

Top tip: We want everyone to have fun when exploring the labyrinth. It’s good to keep the kids in sight as you explore. Before entering the labyrinth, let your group know that if anyone gets lost, they should stand still and shout, so you can follow their voice and find them. If you need further assistance, please call the emergency number on 07818 240 068.

A decorative felt mouse is peeping out from a pile of Christmas crackers. The mouse is wearing glasses in a green, red and white, striped jumper.

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