Three happy laughing girls in a garden — Enjoy the madcap story book trail at Scotney Castle this May half term | © John Millar

Family-friendly places in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Discover the best places to visit with your family around Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, from exploring the magical landscape at Stowe to den-building at Basildon Park.

Before the schools break up for the summer holidays, it's prime baby and toddler time in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire. Pre-schoolers can own the gardens and parkland, testing their sensory and motor skills and igniting little imaginations. There are natural play areas for little ones to clamber on, lawns to practise first steps and and plenty of places to picnic or grab snacks from the tea rooms.

family sitting on the grass reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar book in front of a giant butterfly board

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Cliveden for pre-schoolers

Cliveden is home to the Very Hungry Caterpillar trail until the end of June. Pre-schoolers can also play in the Storybook Play Den right next door to the treats at the Dolls House café. The Water Garden has little bridges and stepping stones over the ponds, picnic tables and grassy areas for toddling.

A small child in a blue sunhat playing with a twig, surrounded by green trees

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Hughenden for pre-schoolers

Hughenden has a natural play area next to the orchard where little ones can safely play and climb in an enclosed area. Pre-schoolers also love running through the willow tunnel in the walled garden with little logs to perch on.

Visitors enjoying a picnic in the gardens in summer at Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire

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Stowe Gardens for pre-schoolers

Stowe Gardens has a buggy service down to the gardens, otherwise it’s a fair walk for little legs. There they enjoy seeing the water birds on the lakes, exploring the temples and grotto. There’s a low-key natural play area outside the café.

A mother, wearing a denim skirt and dark stripey jumper, helping a child, wearing a yellow and white striped t-shirt and grey shorts, between two log stumps

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Greys Court for pre-schoolers

Greys Court has a smaller climbing frame for little ones in its natural play area in the woodland beyond the house. Younger children also really enjoy following the paths in the maze and running through the flower tunnels in the walled garden.

A child wearing a blue t-shirt with a crocodile on it, looking through a pair of binoculars and surrounded by tall grasses

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Basildon Park for pre-schoolers

At Basildon Park, little children love the ball run at the start of the woodland walk behind the stableyard and toddling on the flat lawn in front of the house.

A small child wearing blue shorts and a red jumper, carrying a pair of binoculars, walks through tall, meadow grasses on a paved path.

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West Wycombe Park for pre-schoolers

West Wycombe Park is organised around a central lake and youngsters like to look at the ducks and swans, trot over the bridges and marvel at the cascade (keep hold of hands here!) West Wycombe Park is open from 2pm Sunday to Thursday.

Summer's arrived, and we hope you and the kids are here for it. With grassy banks to play and picnic on, shady woodlands for summer walks, and natural play areas to run off energy, we have everything you need in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire for a fantastic family day out.

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Stowe

Stowe is a vast and exciting playground for children with winding paths, wildlife-filled lakes and intriguing statues and monuments.

Children enjoying the natural play area at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire

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Hughenden

There's a natural playground for climbing, balancing and make-believe at Hughenden. Children also love the walled garden with its narrow paths for running along and a willow tunnel for winding their way through.

Children playing in woodland at Greys Court, Oxfordshire

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Greys Court

There's a children's play area nestled in the woodland at Greys Court and a walk around the estate is livened with fallen logs for balance-walking.

A family walking in the grounds at Basildon Park in the winter

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Basildon Park

With 400 acres of historic parkland, garden and woodland to explore, there are lots of ways to play at Basildon Park.

The south facade of Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

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Waddesdon

Waddesdon's popular woodland playground has a zip wire, board rider, swings and roundabout. The Aviary is also a must for children to spot the exotic birds.

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Cliveden

There are some great walks at Cliveden to get the whole family spending time together in the great outdoors. The Blue walking trail is a great place to start, taking you via the natural Play Trail.