Visiting Springhill with Family

Couple walking their dog — Enjoy the great outdoors with family at Springhill | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Find out everything you need to know about visiting Springhill with kids. From playing in the natural play area to borrowing balance bikes and essential information on where you'll find baby-changing facilities, bringing a picnic and more.

Planning your family visit

Children must be supervised at all times as there are water features and uneven surfaces on site.
Balance bikes can be borrowed free of charge during the summer months, just ask at Visitor Reception when you arrive.
Baby changing facilities located in disability access toilets near Visitor Reception and the Courtyard.

Play areas

Playground

The natural playarea is located near the main visitor car park. The natural play environment that feels like part of the landscape, allowing kids to enjoy adventures in nature while their imaginations run wild. We hope it encourages your little ones to look up and around, admire the views, engage with their senses and appreciate being outdoors.

Snow covered path at Springhill leads into the woodland — Explore the gardens at Springhill | © Adam McCappin

Balance bikes

Balance Bikes are the perfect way to help your future cyclists learn how to ride in the safety of the great outdoors. Cycling is an important life skill and a healthy way to explore outdoors. We want to help the next generation’s cyclists learn to ride, starting their lifelong love of cycling in beautiful natural surroundings. That's why we are delighted to offer free-to-hire balance bikes to our visitors.

The balance bikes and helmets are available to hire from visitor reception. You don’t need to book anything, and the balance bikes are free to use - just turn up and get going.

Ballance bikes are not available throughout the winter months.

The Barn

This interactive space allows families to enjoy a coffee from the Coffee shop while kids can play with some toys or read a book. Located in the courtyard The Barn is where visitor reception and the coffee shop is located is a great indoor space for kids to enjoy come rain or shine.

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Are you ready for your next wild adventure? Springhill is the perfect place to explore outdoors and tick some fun activities off the National Trust’s '50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list.

Here are just some of the activities you can conquer with family and friends at Springhill. How many can you do on your next visit?

No. 1 - Get to know a tree
No. 4 - Build a den
No. 18 - Create some wild art
No. 34 - Discover wild animal clues
No. 44 - Watch a bird
No. 50 - Take a friend on a nature adventure

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Things to see and do at Springhill

Step back in history on a visit to Springhill, often referred to as 'one of the prettiest houses in Ulster'.

An overhead shot of a table with brightly coloured cakes on plates and two cups of tea ready to be drunk with hands on the cups of tea

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Eating and shopping at Springhill

You can come to Springhill for a long walk through nature and stay for a cuppa and light bite in the café or step inside the second-hand bookshop and pick up your next read.

A man and child explore the ruins of Fountains Abbey. The man is holding the little girl as they look up at the stone walls of the abbey.

Family-friendly places to visit

There are lots of things to do when you visit one of our family-friendly places. Find inspiration for days out and discover a range of activities for everyone.

Visitors walk along Yew Tree avenue in the snow at Rowallane Garden

Family-friendly places in Northern Ireland

Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in Northern Ireland with a day out at the places in our care. With outdoor trails for inquisitive minds and natural play areas to let off steam, family adventures await all year round. If rain descends on your outdoor playground, take shelter in our family-friendly cafés for some well-deserved treats. Check property websites for specific opening times and events.