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Family-friendly things to do at Seaton Delaval Hall

Children playing around the mirror cube at Seaton Delaval Hall Northumberland
Children playing around the mirror cube at Seaton Delaval Hall Northumberland | © Annapurna Mellor

There is plenty at Seaton Delaval Hall for families young and old to enjoy. One of the top Northumberland attractions, enjoy open spaces, take part in activities and adventures, recreate some of the mischief and playfulness for which the Delaval family were known and create great memories together in sunshine and in rain.

May half-term

There's so much to explore and do at Seaton Delaval Hall this half term!  For the best North East day out in Northumberland look no further! Play curator for the day and take part in the judging process for the North East Emerging Artist Award by voting for your favourite proposal in the Stables. Discover visual artist Bethan Maddock's stunning blossom-themed exhibition, The birds, the bees and the blossom, in the Basement, featuring a soundscape incorporating a brand new piece by poet, John Challice, Spring Comes to Seaton Delaval Hall.

The gardens are in full bloom, so grab an ice-cream from the Summerhouse and take a wander through the laburnum arch and enjoy the colour display they're putting on as they compete for star of the show with azaleas and rhododendrons!

Pick up a game from the Delaval Games Chest and have a team game on the South Lawn, head to the North West Woods to play on the Baroque-theatre inspired Delaval Playdium and head to the West Wing to discover the hall's history in the Game of Seaton Delaval Hall. 

Visitors enjoying Summer of Play sack race activities at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Visitors enjoying Summer of Play activities at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

Summer of Play

Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August

Find a whole lot of fun at Seaton Delaval Hall this summer, every day throughout the holidays. Like a party from the Delavals' Georgian heyday, expect the unexpected with pop up performances from a variety of acts indoors and out throughout the summer holidays. Think summer festival, Georgian style! So if you're looking for the best family day out in Northumberland and the North East, look no further!

Join playful, drop-in circus activities or sit back and watch the experts with mini circus performances and demonstrations. Get musical with the recycled junk orchestra. Rummage for the perfect props and perform on the Baroque-inspired stage in the West Wing, to the backdrop of your favourite hits with a Regency flavour.

See who's competitive in hobby horse races, or delve into a chest full of sports kit and ball games, plus table tennis and badminton and traditional games like tower block building or four-in-a-row.

Every Friday in the Community Kitchen Garden, there's the chance to plant, harvest and get crafty with nature or curl up in the sheltered story corner with Young Gardeners.

And when you're tired out, head to the Tent of Wonder and chill out on the giant beanbags.

Planning your family visit

  • Hip-carrying infant seats available for loan from visitor welcome
  • Buggy-park available at West Wing courtyard entrance and Basement (north side)
  • Level entrance to ground floor of Basement and West Wing.
  • Family toilet with big and little toilets and sinks plus baby changing at the West Wing toilets.
  • Balance bikes and foot-propelled scooters for under-fives are welcome in the garden but we ask that you do not bring them into the buildings. They are left at your own risk.
  • Children's lunchboxes available in the Brewhouse Cafe. 
  • Smaller plastic cutlery and crockery is available in the Brewhouse Cafe on request; please ask the team.
  • Great picnic spots and Summerhouse available for top ups with drinks and ice creams.

 

children running through spring gardens at Seaton Delaval Hall
children running through spring gardens at Seaton Delaval Hall | © National Trust Imges/Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly events

You can find details of all forthcoming events here.

A family of two adults and four children crosses the central courtyard at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
A family crossing the Central Courtyard at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland | © Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly things to do in the grounds

Seaton Delaval Hall was once home to a generation of residents known as the 'Gay Delavals', notorious 18th-century pranksters, who loved nothing more than to confuse their guests with mischief and trickery.  Their [in]famous playfulness has been reintroduced throughout the grounds, designed to show hints of the trickery and mischief for which its inhabitants were known.  

An image showing a mixture of adults and children appearing to hang from the ceiling, with their hands stretched down towards the floor and furniture on the ground. .
The Upside Down Room, inspired by one of the Delavals' legendary pranks | © Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly things to do in the house and in the rain

There is lots for families with children to discover and enjoy inside Seaton Delaval Hall so that whatever the weather, you’ll have a great day out.

50 Things to do Before You're 11 3/4

Whatever time of year it is, Seaton Delaval Hall is the perfect place to see how many activities you can tick off on the list of 50 Things to do Before You’re 11 ¾, our list of activities designed to get children closer to nature in a fun way!

To get you started, here's our top five to complete at Seaton Delaval Hall:
 

 Find out about 50 Things to do Before You're 11 3/4 and how to tick off these and more.

Grab a bite for the whole family

When you’ve run off some energy it’s time to have a rest and recharge the batteries.

Bring a picnic and grab some hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice creams from the Summerhouse to top up, or head down to the Brewhouse Cafe for lunch indoors or enjoy lunch outside in the garden. 

Find out more about eating at Seaton Delaval Hall here

The Parterre Garden at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland

Discover more at Seaton Delaval Hall

Find out when Seaton Delaval is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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