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Children enjoying the natural play area at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire
Children enjoying the natural play area at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire | © James Dobson

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.

Summer of Play for families in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire

Mega paddock play zones, classic garden games and Pokémon

This summer, the National Trust’s much-loved Summer of Play returns. Enjoy everything from puppet theatre at Greys Court to dragon wagons at Waddesdon and classic garden games at Hughenden. New for 2026: Pokémon Play Zones at Stowe Gardens and Cliveden, where families can take on Pokémon challenges alongside Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Hughenden. Included with standard admission and no need to pre-book.

A cartoon of two children playing outside. One is juggling balls and the other is holding a pencil.

Coming up for autumn in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire

You don't need to wait until half term for spooky season

From 17 September, you can follow the Creepy Chilterns trail at Hughenden (best for 8-12yrs), then from 3 October there's The Great Big Halloween Hunt for 2-5 yr olds and Stranger Folk, an app-based quest through the landscape for all the family. Stranger Folk also comes to Cliveden from 17 October where families can immerse themselves in an adventure involving sneaky goblins, cunning boggarts and a quest to heal the rift between human and spirit worlds. At Stowe Gardens from 9 Oct, families are invited to solve the mystery of what happened to the Zombies of Lamport and there's a Zombie Tiny Tots trail around New Inn. We're Going on a Ghost Hunt at Basildon Park with a trail and activities inspired by the popular book and there's an autumn colour trail at Greys Court for half term.

A boy playing with Halloween pumpkin decorations at Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland

For families in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Stowe Gardens 

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

A child plays with a toy car on a path at Stowe Gardens

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 enjoying the natural play area at Hughenden

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.

Children playing in woodland at Greys Court, Oxfordshire

Basildon Park 

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

Thatched umbrello in the garden at Basildon Park, Berkshire

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.

near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Fully open today
The parterre in summer at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire. Exterior view of the manor with decorative trees and flowerbeds filled with colourful flowers in the foreground.

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.

Visitors on stilts as part of Summer of Play at Cliveden

The Vyne 

Children can explore the outdoors in the natural play area created for very young children just off the Lime Avenue.

children sit in a bird hide holding binoculars.
Track through gates at Bradenham Estate during the summer

Discover more in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Rolling Chiltern hills, a magical garden and the home of a Victorian prime minister await you in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

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