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Eating and shopping at The Children's Country House

Visitors enjoying a summer picnic at Morden Hall Park, London
Enjoy treats from the café indoors and outside | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

Grab a quick bite to eat, a hot drink or a snack from the café or bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds. The jungle-inspired fundraising shop is a treasure trove of gifts and goodies for children and adults alike to bag a bargain.

Eating at The Children's Country House

Fairy Tale Forest Café

Pop in for a bite to eat at the Fairy Tale Forest Café, which is in the Stable Yard, next to the museum.

The café serves a seasonal menu of sandwiches and snacks, plus hot and cold drinks.

Eat on the go or sit down to enjoy your food inside, or if the weather is fine, sit under the cover of a tree or at a picnic bench outside.

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

A family eating at the picnic tables at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire.
Enjoy treats from the café indoors and outside | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Pack up a picnic

We're firm believers that there’s nothing quite like a picnic to make a day out really feel like an adventure and we’ve got plenty of great picnic spots.

Stable Yard

The Stable Yard is the perfect place to unpack a picnic at a bench or on a rug. It was once the working stable yard for the Hall and it still has a buzzing atmosphere today.

There are plenty of outdoor games, and space to run around for the young or the young at heart.

On sunny days it’s a great spot to grab an ice cream and enjoy the sunshine.

Grounds and Boathouse

Spread out a feast in the grounds and gardens around the hall and museum – perfect for picnics and burning off excess energy.

For something a little more relaxed, enjoy your lunch with a view across the lake with a picnic at the Boathouse.

Children in the gift shop at Hatchlands Park, Surrey
Take a look at the volunteer-run shop | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Shopping at The Children's Country House

The jungle-inspired fundraising shop is a treasure trove of gifts and goodies for children and adults alike.

For children and their families

The new fundraising shop takes a different approach to a traditional National Trust gift shop.

Located in the Stable Yard, beside the entrance to the The Children’s Country House Museum, this jungle-inspired space is run by a team of volunteers.

Pre-loved toys and games

Inside you'll find a range of pre-loved children’s books, toys and games as well as a few books for the grown-ups too.

You can even purchase instructions to make your very own mini-Sudbury at home.

This colourful offer is aimed at children and their families, and the space perfectly complements the fun historic day out that can be enjoyed across The Children’s Country House.

Reuse and recyle

It’s stocked with a mixture of second-hand and new products to help promote the idea of reusing and recycling.

Funds from every purchase go towards vital conservation work and further developing The Children’s Country House offer.

Thank you

It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.

Young girl running in the Long Gallery at The Children's County House, Sudbury, Derbyshire

Book your visit

Please note you need to book tickets to The Children's Country House at Sudbury. Tickets can be booked in half-hour slots, up to four weeks in advance and up to 8am on the day (subject to availability).

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Treat yourself 

Looking for the perfect gift or perhaps you're in need of some retail therapy? You can browse our full range via our online shop.