Family-friendly things to do at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
- Published:
- 21 May 2024
With children at the heart of The Children's Country House at Sudbury, there is always something to discover, explore and learn on your visit to this award winning property.
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury is designed especially for families, making it a great day out, whatever the weather. Explore the historic country home of the Vernon family in the hall, take a journey through childhood in the museum, or explore in the garden.
Planning your Visit
- Planning your visit has never been easier, as there is no need to pre-book anymore - just arrive on the day.
- Pushchair friendly paths from the car park to the property.
- Baby changing facilities.
- Buggystore for prams, pushchairs, bikes, scooters.
- Free wheelchair accessible vehicle transfer from the property to the car park, and return.
- The property is open during most school holidays, and Friday to Monday in term time (the hall is closed on Fridays in term time).
Summer of Play at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
20 July - 2 September | 10am - 5pm | Free, normal admission charges apply, free for National Trust members.
This summer is all about play. Be creative, be active and unleash your inner-child with sports day races, crafts, storytelling, garden trails, playground games and more. Whether you're a big kid, or small child, there's something for everyone at The Children's Country House at Sudbury.
Mondays are for storytelling, Tuesdays and Saturdays are for free crafts, Wednesdays are for workshops, Thursdays and Sundays are for garden trails and Fridays are fantastic - with a mixture of facepainting and guest creatives paying us a visit.
During this time, the Fairytale Forest Cafe will be serving a selection of summer treats and ice creams to help fuel your visit and the Hall and museum will be open 7 days a week.
Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.
Explore the Hall
Inside the Hall you can explore the Hall of Wonder and The World Below. Partake in some dancing in the Saloon, have some quiet time with a book in the library or practice your deportment in the Long Gallery. Why not venture through the Bedroom Corridor, newly opened for 2024.
The Museum of Childhood
Wander freely through the Museum of Childhood, and learn of the challenges of childhood across the centuries. Our award-winning museum welcomes children and families to explore, seek and connect with history through our objects, activities, Victorian Classroom and popular chimney.
The Gardens
Picnic, play and connect with nature in Sudbury's gardens. Build dens in the Bluebell Wood, have a mindful moment and discover your inner-explorer in the play area.
Mystery Rooms
Available on a first come, first serve basis on the day of your visit*, take a leap back into World War 2 as a child evacuee in our Mystery Rooms experience. Designed for young minds, this experience is open to families and children, fostering teamwork and problem-solving.
*Subject to volunteer availability.
Fairytale Forest Café
The Fairytale Forest Café is open when the property is, serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, scrumptious snacks and light meals. Ideal for refuelling after a busy day. The café provides indoor and outdoor seating, with shelter and in the hotter months, we're pleased to provide snacks and drinks from our catering van in the Stableyard.
Ice Cream Parlour
New for 2024, we're pleased to provide an ice cream parlour for visitors. With an array of flavours from the local Bluebells Dairy, why not stop by and treat yourself to a scoop this summer?
Summer Shows at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
This summer, the gardens at The Children's Country House at Sudbury transform into a magical woodland theatre with a mixture of workshops and performances, perfect for the whole family.
27 to 28 July sees Buxton-based Babbling Vagabonds performing 'Here Be Dragons', followed by Nottingham-based HandMade Theatre's 'Flying the Nest', taking place from 1 to 4 August 2024.
Camping chairs, blankets, and picnics are welcomed, and each performance and workshop will last approximately 60 minutes.
The following performances will be BSL interpreted:
2pm showing of 'Here Be Dragons' on 27 July.
3pm showing of 'Flying the Nest', on 3 August.
Booking is essential, and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Bring your camping chairs and popcorn, and sit back, relax and watch the biggest films of 2023 at The Children's Country House at Sudbury.
In partnership with Derby QUAD, the Summer Nights Film Festival is headed to the property on 16 and 17 August for screenings of Barbie and Wonka.
Doors open at 6pm. Films start approximately 30 minutes after sunset.
Booking is essential, and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Visiting the Gardens at The Children's Country House
Explore the Garden and explore, admire and connect with the beauty of nature.
Things to see and do in The Children's Country House Museum
Explore the museum to discover the escapades of childhood and the challenges they faced and the realities of life across the centuries.