Family-friendly things to do at Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens

Two children lying in a pile of autumn leaves at Castle Ward, County Down — Enjoy an autumnal adventure at Gunby | © National Trust Images/John Millar

There are lots of things for the whole family to do at Gunby Hall. Get competitive with some outdoor games on the lawn or join a trail, explore the garden to reconnect with nature or find a perfect picnic spot and relax.

Family-friendly things to do at Gunby during autumn

Getting to the core it...apple day is back! (8 October)

Come along on Sunday 8 October and see over 50 varieties of apple on display from the gardens and orchards at Gunby. There will be craft and trade stalls dotted around the garden - there really is something for everyone on this popular day. Not to be missed.

Make your own Gunby monster with the Gruesome Monster Trail! (Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 October)

Are you brave enough to create your own Gunby monster? Step into the Laboratory and complete spine-tingling activities such as monster yoga and spell-weaving to bring your monster to life.

PLUS take on the pumpkin walk to spot a variety of decorated pumpkins. Can you discover them all?

Trails cost £2 each. Normal admission charges apply. Last admission one hour before closing.

A child explores the outdoors with their family in autumn — Explore with all the senses at Gunby | © National Trust / Chris Lacey

Spook yourself silly in the Haunted Halloween Hall (28 October)

Visit us on Saturday 28 October and meet the scary Gunby ghosts, spooky staff and frightening volunteers. Find your way around the darkened haunted hall - if you dare!

A girl dresses up for Halloween at Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire — Spine-tingling surprises await at Gunby during October Half Term | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Get involved with some '50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lots of '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities you can tick off at Gunby. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

No. 31 Make friends with a bug: You can find all sorts of creatures lurking at Gunby. You'll need to be prepared though: looking for bugs is fun, but you might need to be fast, and some creatures like centipedes and millipedes move quickly so you'll need to keep your eyes peeled like a real nature detective if you want to see them
No. 33 Go cloud watching: On a warm summer’s day, find a patch of grass, lie back and watch the clouds go by. With a little imagination you can create whole worlds from the shapes you see in the clouds. Do they resemble anything, like animals, trees or cartoon characters?
No. 44 Watch a bird: Birds can be shy or timid. You will need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. What birds will you see?

Roam the estate

While you are welcome to roam free in the garden, there are also a number of trails you can follow in the wider estate. The short walk to the Ice House Pond will take you past St Peter's Church and provide you with a lovely view of Gunby Hall in the distance on your return. A longer walk to the remains of Bratoft Manor takes in the historical lumps and bumps of the former Medieval village of Gunby.

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens:

Unisex baby-changing facilities are available on request, please ask a member of the team
There are some areas in the garden with uneven cobbles and gravel paths
The tea-room in the courtyard serves sandwiches, snacks, hot/cold drinks and ice cream
Picnics are welcome throughout the garden and grounds