Family-friendly things to do at Ormesby Hall
There’s lots to keep the family entertained at Ormesby Hall, whatever the season. Go wild in the natural play area, stop by the model railway layouts and enjoy imaginative play.
Planning your family visit
- You'll find toilets and baby-changing facilities in the house and in the courtyard
- The cafe offers tasty kids lunchboxes containing sandwiches, fruit, a treat and juice or water. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and highchairs.
- You're welcome to bring a picnic. There's picnic tables, benches and spots to lay out a blanket.
- Pushchairs or prams are not allowed in the house, so please leave them at the designated undercover shelter
- Hip-carrying infant seats available for loan in the house
- Children's books in the second-hand bookshop.
- Bikes and balls are not allowed onsite
- There is a pond in the orchard
February half-term
Saturday 21 February to Sunday 1 March
Join us at Ormesby Hall this February half-term for a trip down the rabbit hole to explore the world of Alice in Wonderland!
Inside the mansion, the Queen of Hearts has taken over and has started redecorating. See if your little ones can spot her influence throughout the rooms as they follow the trail through the house…
Then out in the gardens, can you help Alice with the challenge of solving the Madhatter’s riddles?!
Elsewhere there will be a “how to draw” activity in the Dining Room of the house and a craft activity in the stable’s buildings.
The perfect February half-term family fun and activities run daily from Saturday 21 February to Sunday 1 March. The opening times are 10.30am – 4pm, with last entry onto the site at 3pm, and last entry into the house at 2.45pm. The café closes at 3.30pm.
The trails inside and outside the house will also be available for the World Book Day weekend event (see below for more details).
Normal admission applies, with free entry for National Trust members and under-fives.
World Book Day® weekend event (FREE ENTRY)
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March
Celebrate with World Book Day® and National Literacy Trust in Middlesbrough at Ormesby Hall. An exciting weekend event with storytelling, fun workshops and book themed crafts.
Now in its third year here at Ormesby Hall, this event is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring creatives of all ages to come and ask questions to industry professionals and pick up some hints and tips. And it’s FREE!
Come along on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March to celebrate all things book related, with interactive workshops throughout both days! There will also be storytelling sessions and book themed crafts.
Free entry includes access to the house, garden, café and second hand bookshop, including all of the activities.
• James Harris, local author will be delivering creative workshops, where kids and grown-ups can create monster themed stories and illustrations.
• James Dillon, local illustrator will be sharing his drawing skills in a follow along illustration workshop.
• Elizabeth Baker, local professional storyteller will be immersing families into the world of stories with her interactive storytelling drop in sessions
• National Literacy Trust in Middlesbrough will be hiding books around the garden, as part of their ‘Look for a Book’ scheme.
The house and gardens will be open 10am - 4pm on both days, with last entry to the event, house and cafe at 3pm.
See all of our upcoming events here at Ormesby Hall.
Family-friendly things to do in the house
A surprise delight is always the model railway layouts, which includes an interactive layout for children of all ages. Then pop by the second-hand bookshop to relax with the family and read a book together.
Family-friendly things to do in the garden
Head to the bottom of the garden and let the kids go wild in the natural play area. They can perform on the Willow Stage and challenge themselves on the rope walk, log stepping stones and balance see-saw. In the summer months families can also enjoy a game of croquet on the lawn.
Looking for nature? Why not go to the bird hide and see what birds you can spot and see the different bird wingspans. In the garden there is also a collection of bug hotels, so stop by and see what bugs have checked in recently, but respect their do not disturb signs.
‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’
No matter the season, Ormesby Hall is the perfect place to see how many activities you can tick off your '50 things' list. Head into the woods to get to know a tree (No. 1), discover wild animal clues (No. 34), head to the bird hide to watch a bird (No. 44) or pay a visit to the bug hotel to make friends with some creepy-crawlies (No. 31).
Follow the link to find out more about our activities at Ormesby Hall: What's on at Ormesby Hall