Family-friendly things to do at Shugborough Estate

Published:: 22 January 2024

Children playing in woodland at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire — Children playing in woodland at Shugborough Estate | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

There’s plenty to see and do for families here at Shugborough Estate, including family trails or visiting the animals at Park Farm. Find out what’s on and plan your visit.

Planning your family visit

There are toilets, and baby changing facilities at Park Farm, the Plant Centre and the Midden Yard.
We welcome breastfeeding across the whole estate.
There are facilities to warm up baby food and milk in Park Farm Tearoom and the Mansion Tearoom.
Push chairs are welcome across the estate, but we ask that they are left outdoors when visiting the Mansion, Servants Quarters or Lichfield Apartments.
We welcome budding cyclists on balance bikes or bikes with stabilizers. We also welcome scooters.

Summer Activities Planner

Enjoy a Summer of Play at Shugborough Estate

From Saturday 24 May until Tuesday 7 September enjoy a Summer of Play at Shugborough Estate.

Visit the playhub and enjoy pirate themed play in the parkland. Complete with the return of haybale ship, HMS Shugborough, and with the addition of toddler sized tugboats. Families can enjoy a variety of outdoor games, sandpits or maze.

Head to the farmyard to enjoy imaginative play, at the dress up station or enjoy active play in the gardens, trying your hand at Archery or Badminton.

With a varied calendar of activities on offer throughout the summer holidays, please keep an eye on Shugborough's website and social media channels for updates. There is a great line-up of summer fun activities planned, from a clmbing wall, circus skills to craft sessions.

The Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Things to do at Shugborough

Saturday 24 May - Tuesday 7 September

Walled Garden and Farmyard

Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden Trail

From Saturday 24 May - Tuesday 7 September join beloved Kate Petty and Axel Scheffler character Ben, on his journey to grow a butterfly garden.

Little ones can immerse themselves in the story, enjoying interactive elements such as hiding in a crysalis and then dressing up, emerging as a beautiful butterfly. This trail takes place around the Walled Garden and Farmyard, and follows step free paths.

Continue the story at home by picking up the Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden book from any of our retail or tearoom outlets.

This trail has been brought to you by kind permission of the publisher, Nosy Crow. Text © the beneficiaries of the Estate of Kate Petty, 2023, Illustrations © Axel Scheffler 2023

This activity is free, but standard admission applies.

3 boys walking on a woodland path on an Easter Trail — Children enjoying an Easter trail | © James Dobson

Where is the play area and when will the new one open?

From Sunday 30 June 2024, Explorers Wood Play Area will close, it has been a fun and well- loved part of visiting Shugborough since 2016, but it’s reaching the end of its natural life. With the help of local schools, Shugborough’s accessibility network, and play designers, we are currently in the process of designing an exciting new play area here at Shugborough Estate which is expected to open in 2026.

In the meantime you will still be able to find place to play here at Shugborough, enjoying seasonally programmed activities across the estate, including family trails, craft activities and storytelling.

Visitors at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire — Exploring the mansion at Shugborough Estate | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

Sensory Friendly Shugborough

The Zen Den

The Zen Den is a sensory friendly space, designed specifically to help those who need it calm down and reduce sensory overload. In here you will find, sensory bags including, soft toys, fidget toys and visual journey cards. As well as sensory lighting, and comfortable seating. You can find the Zen Den in the Panelled Room by the servants quarters.